• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

The legendary 2.9 Free Floating Rockers


PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
First of all, kudos to you for going down the rabbit hole on 2.9 performance. I abused the hell out of my 2.9, and it screamed along at 5,500 RPM for a very long time before I swapped it out. They're a better motor than most think.

Second, 2024 Al would work. BUT get me REAL dimensions of what you want, I'll whip something up, don't worry about the stock. ;) They'll be one off parts, but I'd worry about proving the their of free floating rockers before I worried about a modular kit.

Third, let me see if I can scrounge up an FE rocker from a buddy of mine.
Wait, really?? You'll turn a set out if I can pass along the dimensions??
 


farmer

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
566
Reaction score
51
Points
28
Location
Rochester, NH
Vehicle Year
Mix of 78-96
Make / Model
Ford donors
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
357w
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Total Lift
13ish
Tire Size
39.5x15.5
Wait, really?? You'll turn a set out if I can pass along the dimensions??
Yup, I want to see if this will work. Never wanted to tear down my 2.9 long enough to mess with it myself, but was always curious
 

farmer

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
566
Reaction score
51
Points
28
Location
Rochester, NH
Vehicle Year
Mix of 78-96
Make / Model
Ford donors
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
357w
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Total Lift
13ish
Tire Size
39.5x15.5
Wait, really?? You'll turn a set out if I can pass along the dimensions??
Went back and read through some of what you've posted.

You measured the 4 spacings as such:
2.129"
2.044"
2.016"
2.151"

Correct? Not trying to be a jerk, how much faith do you have in those measurements? You very sure about those?

According to the Kunz article, you want 0.020-0.030" clearance from the shaft to the rockers, which gives me a +/-.005" window on the length of each, which buys you a little forgiveness in your measuring, if I hit nominal.

That said, subtracting 0.025" from your above numbers gives me:
2.104"
2.019"
1.991"
2.126"

All +/-0.005"

Agree so far?

I see you listed rocker shaft diameter as 0.880", correct? The rocker arms need 0.0025-0.003" of clearance per Kunz, I can probably do that same for the spacers, although it is less crucial. Target would be 0.883" correct?

What's the outside diameter of the springs? Trying to figure out how large the OD of the spacer can be.

Numbers in green are the dimensions I'll be cutting to if you agree.
 

farmer

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
566
Reaction score
51
Points
28
Location
Rochester, NH
Vehicle Year
Mix of 78-96
Make / Model
Ford donors
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
357w
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Total Lift
13ish
Tire Size
39.5x15.5
Just double checked, I have an 11" long piece of 1.5" diameter 6061 in my box. Doubt 1.5" will fit, could spin it down to 1.25"?
 

farmer

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
566
Reaction score
51
Points
28
Location
Rochester, NH
Vehicle Year
Mix of 78-96
Make / Model
Ford donors
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
357w
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Total Lift
13ish
Tire Size
39.5x15.5
Talked to my FE guy, he's familiar with the 2.9 engine and says he's thinking the FE rockers are HUGE compared to the 2.9, but will get me a diameter and overall length for comparison sake.

Quick google search says factory 2.9 is 1.47 ratio, Morana ratio is 1.55, FE is 1.73. Probably a dead end.

I wonder how feasible it would be to bore out a rocker, and add an eccentric sleeve, to move the pivot location? Might have to undersize the rocker shaft to do it. Would be a very time consuming project and results may be small.
 
Last edited:

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
Talked to my FE guy, he's familiar with the 2.9 engine and says he's thinking the FE rockers are HUGE compared to the 2.9, but will get me a diameter and overall length for comparison sake.

Quick google search says factory 2.9 is 1.47 ratio, Morana ratio is 1.55, FE is 1.73. Probably a dead end.

I wonder how feasible it would be to bore out a rocker, and add an eccentric sleeve, to move the pivot location? Might have to undersize the rocker shaft to do it. Would be a very time consuming project and results may be small.

Where have you been my whole life.

I'll update dimensions for the 89tm rockers on my truck. Guessing their dimensions will be different.
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
As much as I truly love insulting your insane, ridiculous, absurd, and baffling 2.9 obsession... You really should make a page with all your logs of this kinda crap. What works, what's failed, good, bad etc. It's all nonsensical rambling... but its interesting nonsense and I shamefully do admit I admire your conviction to this illogical endeavor.
 

farmer

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
566
Reaction score
51
Points
28
Location
Rochester, NH
Vehicle Year
Mix of 78-96
Make / Model
Ford donors
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
357w
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Total Lift
13ish
Tire Size
39.5x15.5

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,052
Reaction score
13,522
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
As much as I truly love insulting your insane, ridiculous, absurd, and baffling 2.9 obsession... You really should make a page with all your logs of this kinda crap. What works, what's failed, good, bad etc. It's all nonsensical rambling... but its interesting nonsense and I shamefully do admit I admire your conviction to this illogical endeavor.

Let me sum up what you said in a meme for the younger generation...

31560
 

8thTon

Well-Known Member
--- Banned ---
Joined
Jan 13, 2019
Messages
1,378
Reaction score
806
Points
113
Location
Pennsylvania
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
My world is filled with stuff that needs to be fixed

farmer

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
566
Reaction score
51
Points
28
Location
Rochester, NH
Vehicle Year
Mix of 78-96
Make / Model
Ford donors
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
357w
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Total Lift
13ish
Tire Size
39.5x15.5
Is that where you bury the 2.9s? How fast do they sink, and can you still hear them tapping down there when it's quiet?
That's where you no lift shift that 2.9, 2nd to retreat at 5500 rpm waiting to see which parts scatter first. The answer is none.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
Ok, so I'm sick with what I assume is the black plague, and I'm probably going to die, but I managed to get out of bed long enough today to check my current set of 89tm rockers:



Pass front 2.183"
Pass rear 2.040"
Driver front 2.036"
Driver rear 2.150"

All spring clips seem to have 0.100" between the rocker arm and roll pin
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.

farmer

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
566
Reaction score
51
Points
28
Location
Rochester, NH
Vehicle Year
Mix of 78-96
Make / Model
Ford donors
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
357w
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Total Lift
13ish
Tire Size
39.5x15.5
Ok, so I'm sick with what I assume is the black plague, and I'm probably going to die, but I managed to get out of bed long enough today to check my current set of 89tm rockers:



Pass front 2.183"
Pass rear 2.040"
Driver front 2.036"
Driver rear 2.150"

All spring clips seem to have 0.100" between the rocker arm and roll pin
Perfect, this is lining up to be a busy week, I'll see what I can come up with
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top