Sportsman Aluminum Series


Shaft Rocker Arms

No Modification. No Aggravation.

About Jesel Sportsman Aluminum Series Shaft Rockers

Are you still spending frustrating hours adjusting your stud rockers, only to find yourself repeating the process again the next weekend? If so, Jesel Sportsman Aluminum Series Shaft Rockers offer a robust solution. Launched in 2001, these rockers have quickly become the go to choice for replacing inefficient stud rocker assemblies in both OEM and aftermarket cylinder heads.

Optimized for High Performance
Designed specifically for naturally aspirated engines, Jesel’s Sportsman Aluminum Series Shaft Rockers are crafted from high quality 2024 aluminum. These shaft rockers are capable of withstanding open spring pressures of up to 900 lbs, all while maintaining precise valve lash settings. This makes them ideal for a variety of demanding applications—from daily driving and bracket drag racing to high stakes marine and oval track competitions.

Years of Reliable, Maintenance-Free Performance
Engine builders and racers alike have experienced years of dependable, maintenance free performance with Jesel Sportsman Aluminum Series Shaft Rockers. Their robust design ensures long lasting reliability under the most strenuous conditions.

Easy Installation with Minimal Modifications
Jesel Sportsman Aluminum Series Shaft Rockers are engineered for easy installation, requiring little to no modifications to the cylinder head. In most cases, these shaft rockers can even fit under the stock valve cover. The rocker geometry is pre set, crafted to align with the common valve specifications of each specific cylinder head, ensuring a straightforward, bolt on installation process.

State-of-the-Art Manufacturing for Fast Delivery
Thanks to Jesel's advanced CNC machining centers and a meticulously controlled manufacturing process, these cost effective, specially engineered rocker systems can be shipped directly to your door just days after you place your order. This quick turnaround means less downtime for your engine and more time on the road or at the track.

Features & Options

  • Full complement needle bearing assembly operates with minimal lubrication while distributing load evenly over shaft surface.

  • Securely retained .520” diameter Tool Steel Nose Roller operates with less friction and decreased valve guide wear.

  • Precision ground and heat-treated Tool Steel shaft provides years of durable service.

  • Ball mill machined to provide additional clearance between rocker body and valve spring retainer. SB systems clear up to 1.550” spring and BB systems clear up to 1.625” spring.

  • Prolongs the rocker body service life by generating a compressive stress layer, which enhances resistance to fatigue.

  • Increases clearance for valve cover while also reducing the rocker’s moment of inertia.

  • CNC machined, heat treated H-13 tool steel lash adjusters feature a nitride process for wear protection.

  • Provides a stable and rigid mounting surface for shaft rocker assembly.

  • Fully rebuildable to Jesel factory specifications through the Jesel CPR department.

  • Rockers can be ordered in various ratios to suit your specific engine build. Some applications are ratio limited.

A pair of Jesel Sportsman Rockers. One facing forward, one facing backwards.

Jesel Sportsman Aluminum Series Benefits

Increased Horsepower
Reduced friction over stud rocker arms helps to create additional horsepower.

Stable Valvetrain
Ensures an extremely stable valvetrain at any RPM, enhancing overall engine efficiency.

Optimized Geometry
Corrects rocker geometry, diminishes guide wear, and maintains lash, improving engine longevity and performance.

Cost and Time Efficient
Saves money and time by significantly reducing the frequency of necessary engine maintenance.

High Durability
Crafted from 2024 aluminum to withstand up to 900 lbs of open spring pressure.

Versatile Applications
Ideal for a range of high performance scenarios, from daily drivers to competitive racing environments.

Easy Installation
Designed for bolt on application with little to no modifications needed, compatible under most stock valve covers.

Quick Delivery
Leveraging advanced CNC machining for rapid production and delivery, minimizing downtime.

Jesel Sportsman Series Shaft Rocker Arm Stand Link

Sportsman Series Stand Link

This patented stand link, (U.S. Patent 7,028,653 B2) designed for Big Block Chevrolet (BBC) kits, orientates the CNC machined steel rocker stands and aligns the rocker roller squarely with the valve tip. The stand link also acts as a safety guide in the event of a loose bolt.

Sportsman Aluminum Applications

Air Flow Research
Alan Johnson
All Pro Heads
Brodix

Canfield
CFE
Chevrolet
Chrysler

Dart
Edelbrock
Flo-Tec
Ford

Liberty
Patriot
Pontiac
PRC

Pro Comp
ProFiler
ProMaxx
Pro Topline

Racer Pro
RHS
Trick Flow
World Products

Our Rocker Story

When Chevrolet introduced its small-block V8 in 1955 one of its highly praised features was its lightweight stamped steel rocker system. With little more than a factory Duntov solid lifter cam a 7,000rpm redline was realistic. This economic valvetrain had its limits though. As long as mild seat pressures of around 100 pounds were used with low-lift hydraulic or flat tappet cams, life was good. As aftermarket cam manufacturers started grinding higher lifts, the rocker’s shortcomings began showing up. First, the rockers bottomed-out on the rocker studs because the slots were too short, then as spring pressures increased the studs pulled or broke out of the head bosses. The fixes came both from the aftermarket and GM.

Read more…

People Sometimes Ask

  • Shaft rockers are a type of rocker arm assembly used in high-performance engines. Unlike traditional stud rockers, shaft rockers are mounted on a rigid shaft that runs the length of the cylinder head, providing a stable platform for the rockers. This setup enhances valvetrain stability, reduces friction, and improves valve timing accuracy, making them ideal for high-RPM racing applications.

  • Yes, shaft rockers are generally better than stock rockers, especially for high-performance and racing engines. They offer improved stability, durability, and precision compared to stock rockers, which are typically designed for less demanding conditions. Shaft rockers reduce friction and wear, resulting in more consistent valve timing and better overall engine performance.

  • Traditional stud rockers are mounted on individual studs screwed into the cylinder head, while shaft rockers are mounted on a rigid shaft. The shaft provides a more stable platform, reducing flex and movement that can affect valve timing and performance. Shaft rockers also typically feature needle bearings, which reduce friction and wear compared to the pivot points of traditional stud rockers.

  • For high-performance and racing applications, shaft rockers are definitely worth the investment. They provide significant improvements in stability, durability, and performance, especially at high RPMs. While they may be more expensive than traditional stud rockers, the benefits in terms of engine reliability and performance make them a valuable upgrade.

  • Yes, shaft rockers can add horsepower by improving valvetrain stability and reducing friction. The precise valve timing and reduced wear contribute to more efficient engine operation, which can translate to increased horsepower. The exact gain depends on the specific engine setup and other performance modifications.

  • The lift added by 1.6 rockers depends on the original rocker ratio of your engine. For example, if your engine originally had 1.5 rockers, switching to 1.6 rockers will increase the valve lift by approximately 6.7%. This means if your camshaft provides a lift of 0.500 inches with 1.5 rockers, switching to 1.6 rockers will increase the lift to about 0.533 inches.