harland Sharp Rockers

**blackout5.3** · 12-20-2009, 05:06 PM

http://www.jegs.com/i/Harland+Sharp/851/SLS18/10002/-1

i had these put into the engine im having built, the machinest has used harland for years, but he said these felt a little loose? is this normal?

**ls1camino** · 12-21-2009, 06:24 AM

What do you mean "loose"?

**blackout5.3** · 12-21-2009, 06:32 AM

he said after they were tightened up that they felt like they had some play in them like they were not compleatly tight, and was afraid somthing might be missing, but he did said they did torque down tho

**ls1camino** · 12-21-2009, 06:42 AM

Did he put the pushrods in?

Mine are pretty tight, I don't remember if they had any play or not, but you have to remember that nothing can be right up against something else, there has to be room for oil to get between moving parts.

**mark21742** · 12-21-2009, 01:45 PM

should beable to go to 0 lash, then about 3/4-1 turn to tighten.....you might need slightly longer pushrods

**Frost** · 12-22-2009, 06:46 AM

I've had big problems with those rockers on a number of setups... they are so heavy that they have caused early valve float and have had to be removed from >half dozen cars that I have had on the dyno. They are also at fault for the ONLY engine that has ever come apart on the dyno while I was working on it.

We had a pull with power falling off like mad just over 6K (H/C car). I told the owner we were pulling the car off because something was physically wrong. In his mind, he thought it was tuning despite me telling him otherwise (what would I know right??) and told me adjust the AFR up top and pull again. I argued with him for about 10 minutes and finally just gave up and did it. On return to idle after the sweep, the engine munched itself and shut off. A valve was dropped. It broke the piston, ruined the block and hurt the cylinder head.

I've had a few boltons cars that the HS's and just a few cammed ones that didn't have problems, but it's a crap shoot based on your spring condition. Besides, they really aren't any kind of helpful upgrade seeing as how they weigh more than OE. The gains that Jegs lists for those are pure fantasy.

Money is better spent in other places....

**Frost** · 12-22-2009, 06:58 AM

Ok I found a graph of one...

This engine made 422rwhp after the Harland Sharpe's were pulled off in favor of the STOCK rockers. In this graph, the car had a NEW set of double springs on it's heads. Look at the top of this graph to see the float caused by these rockers:

**blackout5.3** · 12-22-2009, 07:14 AM

So would it be better if I just told him to hold up and get a set of comp cam rockers in it instead?
The cam is a tsp 228 comp cam and their beehive springs they offer with the kit

**Hi-Po** · 12-22-2009, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by blackout5.3

So would it be better if I just told him to hold up and get a set of comp cam rockers in it instead?
The cam is a tsp 228 comp cam and their beehive springs they offer with the kit

Why not use a stock rocker, or a HS rebuilt stock rocker? What part of your build is requiring the use of an aftermarket rocker arm? Stock rockers are, to my knowledge, still the lightest available rocker. With the HS rebuild/upgrade, they are a tough piece to beat.

**blackout5.3** · 12-22-2009, 08:10 AM

Well the ones were in it were toast, I figured the stockers were to flemsy

**SOMbitch** · 12-22-2009, 08:16 AM

Stockers are best with OEM heads IMO. The HS or comp trunion and bearing upgrade is well worth it if you run stockers though. The bearings are held in with a c-clip so they will never puke out.

It is only necessary to run aftermarkets with heads like TFS or if they have softer bronze guides. Yella Terra makes a nice piece and if you want to spend more so does Jessel. They are both shaft mounted.

**Frost** · 12-22-2009, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by blackout5.3

So would it be better if I just told him to hold up and get a set of comp cam rockers in it instead?
The cam is a tsp 228 comp cam and their beehive springs they offer with the kit

No pro mags, other tuners across the country have had the same issues that I showed above. There are MANY 8-second cars on stock rockers. Like I said, unless you are dying to burn the money away, put it where it will help you.

The stock rocker upgrades that keep the needle bearing inside are nice to have.

Stock rockers can be found all over the place and they are cheap... one of the only times that cheaping-out is not only OK, but the best move.

**blackout5.3** · 12-22-2009, 11:09 AM

Calld the machine shop, he said I didn't want to release the engine to you with the rockers like that, so he's goin to check the old rockers and see how good of shape their in, if not he's just going to have me find a new stock set

**Hi-Po** · 12-22-2009, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by blackout5.3

Calld the machine shop, he said I didn't want to release the engine to you with the rockers like that, so he's goin to check the old rockers and see how good of shape their in, if not he's just going to have me find a new stock set

Thats your best option. Upgrade the stockers or find a nice low mileage set, install them and let it ride!