Already had one motor rebuilt this season due to a failed rocker arm around 200 hours. My 525's now have about 230 hours on them and just to be safe I'm planning on replacing the valve springs and rocker arms this winter. I would prefer to replace the stock Crane rockers and PAC springs with better quality components.

Any recommendations for both?

Call Bob Madera

Ss rockers heavier but much stronger

X2 for calling Bob M. He likes ISKY valvetrain. Listen to what he recommends and you will be a happy guy. I couldn't be happier with my purchases through him.

Neil,
I agree, call Bob Madera. I am sure he will have a direct replacement valve spring for your 525's. Most likely, it will be Isky. Are you planning on pulling the engines this winter? If not, I doubt you can get the valve springs replaced with the headers on. You may have to reset the installed height to match the new springs. Depends on what the new spring height will be.
As for rocker arms.... I would think that a set of Comp Pro Magnum would do well for you. You may have to change your push rods as well, to get the geometry correct again.
http://www.compcams.com/Products/CC-...kers%27-0.aspx

I have the feeling he will recommend Scorpion marine endurance rockers, and for good reason.

I dont think the "PAC" is a bad spring, or the Crane Gold is a bad rocker. Seems like the issue with the 525 stock setup, is too little spring pressure. Eddie Young has rebuilt plenty of these, and the stated the spring pressures are quite low. When you do not have enough spring pressure, the valvetrain can no longer control itself. When that happens, $hit breaks. "PAC", is a very good spring, but the best quality spring in the world isnt gonna if it isnt setup properly though.

I learned years back that ISKY springs, are made by PSI. Both good springs, but under the "isky" label, they have much more spring rate selection. Seems like the PSI label, is more suited for high RPM drag stuff.

one might be suprised to know how many pac springs are private labled.on another note,isky does not make a valve spring or hyd roller lifter.where do you think they get them from.??????

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I spoke with Ron Potter this afternoon and he recommended Isky springs and Crower SS rockers. I will contact Bob M. as well and get his opinion too.

Heres the thing. You need to put name brand of the springs aside for a second. What you need to look at, is the installed height. With the installed height being say XXX, you need to select a spring, or possibly different retainers, to get you too xxx installed height, xxx spring pressure, and xxx stack clearance. Its not as simple as just saying I need "isky springs".

Bob M, or Eddie Young, can provide you with the proper spring "SETUP".

As for the Crower stainless rockers, they are a great rocker. A bit more money than their aluminum counterparts, but they will last a long time, aluminum has a fatigue life.