light weight valve train?

[ASMART]

Is there anything we can use to reduce the weight of the sb six valve train?
Rocker arms are there low weight options?
Push rods smaller diameter or exotic metal?
Lifters - is hydraulic or solid lighter. Are there any other options from
other makes?

Is there a good website that has deminsions and or weights on any of these peices? The idea here is to lighten the valve train so there would not be a need to run strong springs. That would reduce friction and wear at the cam. :

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Asmart:

Here are two ideas to lessen valve train weight;
1. Use one piece valve spring retainers. The early 260 V8s used 5/16" valve stems- same as our sixes. They used a one piece retainer that weigh 24 grams. The stock OEM 200 retainers are a two piece design and weigh 30 grams each. The part number for the correct 260 retainers is C3 428514-B. FYI- later 260 V8s got the same 3/8" valve stem valves as 289/302, so they will not work on our sixes.

Late model 4.0 V6 one piece retainers are a slightly less weight at 23 grams. Their Part # is E6TZ 64536-A. IF your Ford parts store doesn't have them they can be ordered.

Both of these one piece retainers is slightly thinner, leaving more clearance between the bottom of the retainer and the valve stem seal. This little bit of extra cleaance may be useful on a high lift cam, or 1.6:1 rockers.

2. Back cutting the port side of the intake valves with a 30 degree cut. This not only lightens the valve, but give the effect of opening earlier and closing later for a slight increase in effective duration, lift and flow.

I've only weighted the OEM type 1.5:1 adjustible rocker assembly. The non-adjustible weighs 7.1 lbs. The adjustable weighs in at 7.72 lbs. The extra weight is on the adjustment side of the ratio, or the lighter side. Even though they add weight, I consider the adjustibility worth it to get maximum travel out of the hydraulic lifters.

I don't have a set of alloy roller rockers, but would love to know the assembly weight, for comparison, in pounds. If you have as set, next time you have them off the engine weigh the assembled rocker shaft and pushrods and let us know. Thanks in advance. Lighter weight should be one of their advantages.

Keep it coming.

Adios, David

 

[simon]

My new rocker arms, produced in 1984, were about 0.35 oz heavier than the original `64 rockers. After shaving the casting flash and polishing, I was able to match the whole set to 3.1 oz per rocker (88 grams)

If I had known about the adjustable rockers back then, I´d sure went that route.

I matched the 1-piece 4.0V6 retianers at 0.830 oz (23.5 grams) each. I´m going way overboard with my weight matching there because one drop of engine oil already weighs more than my 1/10 gram.