Jesel or T&D?

So I have been convinced by a few friends with 18 degree 383's that 18 degree heads are the way to go on my project. To much shagrin of my wallet and girlfriend, I am gonna get Dart 18 degree heads for my 406.
So now I have the choice of shaft rockers to choose, and the rest of my valvetrain. The Dart heads accept Jesel or T&D shaft rockers, so I have to choose between these two.
I have heard from some people that the Jesel system has some premature wear problems, and shortens valvespring life more than normal. Was I misinformed?
What about T&D, any problems with their setups?

Also does anyone know if T&D has a website? I've searched for it but found nothing, just distributors.
Thanks

Hunter

http://www.tdmach.com/



I have T&D on my car. The main reason being that the SS line from Jessel would not work with the valve springs I had. Or at least the sales guy at Jessel said that they were almost to stiff to be used with them. Being as the T&D rockers were on sale for 800 and the regular Jessel's were 1100 and that I had heard that some people had to machine the rockers on the Jessels because they hit the retainer I went with the T&D rockers. I know a guy here in town that runs a solid roller 383 with the T&D rockers on his car with no problems and has went 6000 miles with out having to reset the lash.

If I had some miles on the engine I could give you more info but so far so good with the T&D arms.

Thanks for the link.

Ya I have heard that you have to machine the Jesel rockers because they hit the spring retainers. I think I will go with the T&D rockers, I have heard nothing but good about them.

Thanks

Hunter

I've never use any of the shaft systems but I don't understand how it could shorten the valve spring life. The purpose of the shaft is to stabilize the rocker for less angular loads on the valve.
Valve spring life is more a function of spring design, material, and cam lift/profile.
Or am I wrong??

Originally posted by Z28SORR
I've never use any of the shaft systems but I don't understand how it could shorten the valve spring life. The purpose of the shaft is to stabilize the rocker for less angular loads on the valve.
Valve spring life is more a function of spring design, material, and cam lift/profile.
Or am I wrong??

No, you are correct imo. More than likely the person who told him that switched from a hydraulic to a solid, individuals to shaft, and more lift... Then when his springs went bad the only thing he thought that could do that was the rockers since they touch the springs. ;)


Later
Chuck

I doubt you'll be needing a 1.625 diameter spring, so you shouldn't have any interference problems with the Jesel setup. If you were gonna run springs that large, you'd simply pay Jesel for the "optional" retainer clearance machined into the rocker arm. No biggie and either way... if you talk to Jesel they will get you the right parts.

That said, I've used both and I can say that both are good quality products. I couldn't say yay or nay one way or the other as to which one is "better"..... whichever you can get the better deal on, go with em.

-Mindgame

The T&D's use an internal oiling passage, where the Jesels rely on splash oiling. I've seen, along with many I know that have had/seen the Jesels bearings fail. Weather this is due to lack of oil, dunno, but haven't heard of this problem with the T&Ds. Thats what I have on my personal engine.

Kurt is 100% correct on the oiling differences ,plus the added feature of having them laser drilled to shoot the access oil onto the springs is a nice option. Another difference is T&D uses a self contained bearing assembly..if you ever seen a jesel and took it off the shaft better have you hand under it to catch the needle bearings..