94 cobra - cracked pedestal on crane roller rocker arms - this common?

[tomc3]

replaced head gaskets (had to remove one head to get broken bolt from lower intake manifold, so did both heads). When removing the rocker arms, I noticed on of the pedestals had some fairly significant cracks. I then checked the one next to it and some cracks, but not nearly as large/long.

Engine has 92k, unknown "provenance" (i.e. not sure how well it was maintained, etc.

So - for cobra owners...anyone removed rockers and also inspected the pedestals and seen this? I also noticed that the pedestals (none of them) have any shimming on them and both intake/exhaust pedestals are captured in an underlying metal plate that ties the two together.

Advice appreciated. I have ordered a couple of new pedestals - do I need to treat them as new rocker installs and check clearance?

 

[Last5.0]

I've seen it and seems to be fairly common especially with those what seem to be cast aluminum pedistals. If you were just replacing pedistals then you shouldn't have to check valve lash, but since you are changing head gaskets you should.

 

[tomc3]

pedestals are steel - that's why it was surprising

I did not check all of the pedestals - the one on #2 was cracked down to the base on both sides of intake and one side of exhaust, so that is the one that had me really concerned.

so, since I replaced head gaskets (with same type that came on the cobra), I should check valve lash?

 

[Last5.0]

It's been a while since I've had those cobra rockers (crane energizer) and I thought the pedistals where aluminum. Either way, yes it's pretty common for them to crack and you used to be able to get replacements at the Ford Parts counter for like $12 for the two in the metal channel. I believe you can get individual replacements from Crane also, but they won't be in the channels.

As far as checking lash, you will probably be OK if the replacement gasket has the same torqued thickness as the stock one, but wouldn't hurt to check one or two just to make sure.