Free-floating rocker mod with PVC

[UpStandingMember]

Have any of you done the free-floating rocker mod in here?

I found some PVC pipe that is just a fraction bigger than what the directions call for. And the wall thickness of the PVC is a little over a tenth of an inch thick. So I was thinking, if I cut this to the right length, do you think it might work?

I looked up the msds sheet on PVC and there is no melting point. So I think it might be good enough to use with hot oil.

Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I looked up the msds sheet on PVC and there is no melting point. So I think it might be good enough to use with hot oil.

It doesn't grow on trees in tubes and elbows... it does melt. It has to so they can extrude and mold the stuff.

Usually it has the temp rating printed on the side of it, I don't remember offhand what it is though.

 

[snoranger]

It melting point is 160°C.
I would even try it, PVC is very brittle. I cant see it lasting long inside your engine.

 

[UpStandingMember]

CRAP!

I got to thinking afterward, I'd have to bring my rockers to a machine shop anyway to have them bored out a little. From .0013 inches to .0025-.003 inches.

Now I've got to find a machine shop and see how much it'll cost me to have this done. It sucks living in the middle of nowhere.

 

[doorgunner]

PVC also does NOT work well as an elbow in a radiator hose


You could buy a reamer that is the right size & ream the rocker holes....

 

[Destroyer000]

where abouts in ny are you located? i just had a set made a couple weeks ago for my 4.0. had a machine shop mill it out of alum cost only 30 bucks.

 

[UpStandingMember]

where abouts in ny are you located? i just had a set made a couple weeks ago for my 4.0. had a machine shop mill it out of alum cost only 30 bucks.

$30!!!

I'm in Ticonderoga, a little over an hour south of you.

Did you have the spacers made too?

Send me some info about the shop; name, location, website if it's got one.

It'll cost me more in gas than it will to have it done. LOL

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

PVC also does NOT work well as an elbow in a radiator hose

@ DG;
I'm presently using some type of plastic pipe as a rad hose. Initial results are promising. What happened to your pvc elbow? What color was it?

@ OP;
I had to look up the mod, and in the process re-found kunz' corner - tips for the 2.9. What a great resource for those wanting to make more power! Kunz explain in simple language what to do, why you would do it, and why to NOT do a mod.
Anyway, on to the pvc.... I would try it, knowing that I might screw up my motor. Some possible problems include, but aren't limited to;

Will the pvc hold up to the chemical bath its in without leeching out who knows what and maybe becoming brittle or....?
Will the pvc hold up to the heat? If it does then....
Will the pvc stand up to the friction/heat at the rockers and not wear down giving too much clearance?

I would soak some pvc in used oil for a few weeks and see if there are any changes to the material, preferably at the same temp as an operating engine.
Do some simple before and after tests, such as dropping a known weight from a known height and seeing how much of a dent is produced.
A belt -sander, a weight, and a stop-watch could give an indication of how long pvc will stand up to friction [compared to alum., steel, etc.]
If you do these test, PLEASE record them, described in enough detail for me or anyone else to reproduce the results.

My personal wag is that pvc won't last long inside an engine, but we'll never know until someone tries.

Good luck,

Richard

 

[UpStandingMember]

I think I might just stick with what Destroyer said and go to the shop he used.

That PVC and elbow could be used as a rollcage as well! As long as you don't roll the truck. And it could be painted black too.

I've also been thinking of a mailbox as a hood scoop. Keeping the door on so when it rains, you can just close the door. Any thoughts?

 

[shane96ranger]

Did I ever tell you guys the one about the guy at work that built his own turbo kit? Lol.......

He used PVC coming directly out if the turbo. That made one hell of a mess.

Sent from a Commodore 64 using a 300 baud modem

 

[Destroyer000]

guys name is wade rusford... clinton machine shop... i got the specs over on rps in another post...

Spacer dimensions =

OD .950"

ID .784" +/- .001"

Length 2.15" +.0 / -.005"



guy over their named tee rev out of canada also makes them.

 

[UpStandingMember]

guys name is wade rusford... clinton machine shop... i got the specs over on rps in another post...

Spacer dimensions =

OD .950"

ID .784" +/- .001"

Length 2.15" +.0 / -.005"



guy over their named tee rev out of canada also makes them.

Thank you very much.

And these dimensions are for the 2.8 V6 ?

 

[Destroyer000]

NOOOOO i thought we were talking about a 4.0 lol thats what they are for.

 

[UpStandingMember]

NOOOOO i thought we were talking about a 4.0 lol thats what they are for.

LOL I was thinking the length was a little off. So I'm thinking I should either go measure the length for the 2.8 spacers, or figure out how to put 4.0 heads on a 2.8.

 

[dangerranger83]

LOL I was thinking the length was a little off. So I'm thinking I should either go measure the length for the 2.8 spacers, or figure out how to put 4.0 heads on a 2.8.

By putting a 4.0 under the hood.