[68GreenHornet]

I have a Ford 302 with Comp Cams roller rocker arms that have a ratio of 1.7:1. Ford specs suggest a 1.6:1 ratio. I have a couple of questions: 1. Does anyone know if by going back to a 1.6:1 ratio will I lose any power? Or is 1.6:1 going to let in the same amount of fuel and air? 2. I don't have guide plates installed, and I have had the rocker twist and bend a rod; will switching to the stock, pedestal type rocker arm cause me to lose any power? Any information you guys can give would be much appreciated! Thank you -JC

[Putt]

1. The switch from 1.7 back to 1.6 ratio will not be noticeable in the car, it might show up on an engine dyno where it can measure differences of 5 HP. It does reduce the lift and make a very small change in duration, but it is very small.
2. What year is the engine/heads? The 302 has used several different rocker arm types that each require specific parts. Roller rocker arms have much less friction than the pedestal or sled fulcrum types and so they should give more power and lower oil temperatures from the reduced friction.

[68GreenHornet]

The casting date on the heads is 1984. The space for the pushrods to go through the heads is a large square. I guess the correct question would be: are the roller rockers doing anything if they are able to freely move on the valve.

[Putt]

Those heads should have the pedestal type mounting with a small 5/16" bolt holding the pivot assembly in place. It sounds like you are missing the sheet metal piece that keeps the rockers from turning sideways(pivoting off the side of the valve stem). It is under the rocker pivot against the head boss, it is just a grooved piece of metal that the square piece at the bottom of the rocker sits in that ties two adjacent rockers together preventing them from turning sideways.