Update pics

[BadBird]

I went to AFR's website and found an interesting footnote about their AFR 185's. So, I am going to replace all the studs and will have to replace all the roller rockers to 7/16 also. Poopers. Larry
Footnotes

1. AFR Small Block Ford
   
   • We strongly recommend using 7/16" rocker studs with today's fast cam rates and RPM capabilities as 3/8" Rocker Studs can occasionally break.

[Luva65wagon]

You would think they'd just use the 7/16 studs and be done with it. So all new studs and new rockers both.

You mentioned they were noisy all along, which has been stressing me out with my Ranchero motor. I readjusted the valves because I thought they were not set right after my rocker/guide plate/push-rod issue a while back. They we set right, but it seems noisy roller rockers is a thing. Chased it down of YouTube and Google and so many have this issue. Nobody says, or seems to know, what is clacking exactly. But now I'm obsessed with leaning why!

[BadBird]

After talking to a Ford racing engine builder I am going to stick with 3/8 studs and have ARP new ones ordered. The builder states he uses 3/8 studs and gets over 7000RPM and never broke one. He also said the studs that used to come with the AFR 185 heads were not good and tend to break. Well, we will see.
I got another stud and installed it. Tomorrow I will start the car up, hope there isn't any weird noises. If everything sounds okay I will drive it until I get the new studs installed. If there are issues after the run, More to come. Larry

[BillP 98201]

Hope everything goes well Larry

[BadBird]

Thought you all might be interested in this correspondence between myself and Air Flow Research. If this works out the way the representative tells me, I will be more than happy. Larry


To AFR tech and sales representative.......Several years ago, I bought a set of your AFR 185 heads for my 302/347 SBF. I would guess it has been at least 8 years. The car now has about 2500 miles and is used mainly as a show car. But just last week, I broke a head stud while going a low speeds. I researched your website which says to replace the studs with 7/16. BUT. I read a bunch of information on several sites that says the studs were originally not the greatest of quality. IS that true or did you use ARP studs that long ago. I don't want to go through the cost of changing all my studs and rockers if I can get by with just replacing my studs with ARP 3/8 studs. Thanks a bunch. Larry Smith
Here is the answer I got back.


If your heads are 8+ years old it wont be an ARP stud, we didn’t switch until middle of 2014. Send me your address and I’ll get some replacement ARP 3/8 out to you at no charge.


Thank you for choosing AFR,

Jerami Patrick
AFR Sales & Technical Support
661-257-8124 ext. 111

[beerbelly]

That is fantastic customer service, and also valuable info to know about the ARP changeover timing. Glad it worked out well for you.

[Luva65wagon]

Is it gonna make it to Maltby this weekend? I hope so!