Does anyone know if you can use roller rockers on the MEL 430?

Thanks

Yes, you can. There are several forum participants that have been using them for years. Fe engine rocker arms interchange w. those on a MEL. So roller rockers that are good for FE engines work in a MEL engine as well. There are various brands available. Just make sure that they don't interfere w. your stock valve covers as some have more meat and consequently require taller valve covers.

The ratio on FE rollers is 1.76.... any other mods required to run them?

No mods required at all. Just swap and go. Off course you should check the alignment and the rocker tip travel. It is done w. light check valve springs.
I personally like to use those valve tip caps you can get from the aftermarket. kinda expands the travel area for more headroom and the fuzzy warm feeling.
But again, I haven't done the swap w. a MEL and I suspect that those blocky fat Harland Sharp Rockers might interfere w. the valve covers.
Comp Cam's FE rololers are less bulky if my memory serves me right. They are more expensive than the reasonably prized yet reliable Harland Sharp Roller rockers.

It's good practice to swap the stock rocker shaft springs with some sort of aluminum spacers. Keeps them rockers from slipping sideways off the valve tips. Happened to me once.
I fabricated them from an aluminum tube that I bought according to correct sice and that I just had to cut with a saw.

Remember its rockers only, shafts are different lengths as well as spacers but same diameter.

What about ratio? I have solid lifters, but I think MEL rockers are 1.73 ratio perhaps, not 1.76.
Yes, I would think the old rocker shaft springs are not strong enough either. If it's an easy swap, it would be well worth it.
I have the MOON cast valve covers, so clearance should not be a problem.

At this point in the grand scheme, another few hundred won't matter a tinkers damn

Chris Craft crazy wrote:........., but I think MEL rockers are 1.73 ratio perhaps, not 1.76.
:

Shouldn't be a problem. But I recommend to take measurements and see if the valve to piston clearance is O.K

Cool, I have already looked at the Harland sharps, and I will take a look at the Comp cam rollers too.

I think the CCam assy is a lot more expensive. The HSharps are absolutely sufficient if the clear fine.

I bought the Harland Sharps... certainly a step up from the stockers. Yet another part bought.