Warrenavenue
Active Member
Hey Guys, first time posting here, but I’m hoping maybe someone can help me out a little. I have a 496 Stroker that I built about 3 years ago with the help of the guys at Hughes engines. It’s built from a 383 and topped with a set of Edelbrock Performers. The motor has been a great runner, very powerful, and hasn’t had any troubles, but this weekend I decided to pop the valve covers and adjust my valves. I popped the left cover and immediately noticed a vertical crack in the rocker shaft pedestal closest to the alternator. I had a friend watch it while I turned the motor over and the crack would spread apart and gush oil as the rockers on cylinder 2 rocked. I ended up pulling the rocker shaft son both sides and found cracks on 3 of the pedestals on the left bank and 2 of the pedestals on the right bank. The cracks are not in the pedestals that contain oil galleries (2nd and 4th pedestals). When I pulled the rocker shaft studs I also noticed helicoils inside the cracked pedestals. Is that normal? I’m trying to get ahold of Edelbrock to see about warranty or repair but their tech department is swamped right now. I’ve also reached out to Hughes and they’ve offered to repair these ones but shipping to them will kill me. Anyone have any insights here? I dumped a ton into this build and this is not a welcome surprise.