roller rockers

[jefferias]

hi guys just a quick question.  been doing some research and i think i wanna put in 1.5 roller rockers. probably pro-comp magnum.   just wonderin if it's recomended to put in new push rods as well.   i think i want 1.5 instead of 1.6 because i dont want to run into any unforeseen problems with lift/spring problems.  any comments or opinions are greatly appreciated!

[VileZambonie]

I assume you have a small block Chevy engine then? Any time I run roller rockers I use guide plates and hardened pushrods. 1.5:1 is fine

[eventhorizon66]

Another quick question: Why guideplates over self-aligning rockers?  Seems like on hydraulic cams, where the rocker is always in contact with the pushrod and valve, they would do the job fine, yet I never seem them used on anything but stock applications.

[VileZambonie]

Unless you are running a rocker arm shaft they have the tendency to twist and eventually you will end up with mushroomed tips, bent push rods, or dropped valves (keeper loss) It's just cheap insurance especially as temperatures change, components wear etc.

[eventhorizon66]

Oh, I see.

[jefferias]

thanks vilezambonie!  are the guide plates easy to install, im assuming so. i dont know how the plates install but cant be hard  a pic would be cool to see  but regardless ill do some more research on this.  one last question- new lifters reccomended? or just pushrods.  (my motor is 87-95 style made in 2000 i think. flat tappet cam in it right now but apparently the block is a roller block. nothing to crazy done to the motor yet just replaced all the gaskets and rebuilt the heads and did a mild polish job to them.then converted to carb and v-belt set-up. re-curved msd dizzy, eddie intake, rebuilt q-jet)  just pieceing things together as time goes on. when i tore the motor down everything was in excellent shape.

[VileZambonie]

Guide plates are typically either A)factory installed or B)machine shop installed. A machine shop will remove the studs, Machine the area flat and tap it to accept screw in studs. Guideplates fit beneath the studs.

Click Here

[jefferias]

thanks man!  looks like im buying self-aligning rockers  ill take my chances  but thankyou much

[eventhorizon66]

I was just thinking how easy that all looked.  I'd like to try it myself.  Didn't realize the pressed-in studs would come out that easy.  Is there a similar bit (like the spot facer) for enlarging the spring pockets as well?  Also wouldn't a tapered tap not thread it all the way or do the rocker stud holes go all the way into the water passages?

jefferias: You could always practice on a junk cracked head.

[jefferias]

yeah i know , i dont think thats too difficult its just time consuming.  ive been machining for 5 years so thats not the problem, just the time , but thanks alot guys. 

[VileZambonie]

A bottoming tap would work but the studs don't bottom out in the head so it's not really necessary. There's a guy online that sells a bunch of engine machining tools for Flycutting pistons etc. check with him and see what they have if you're looking for something in particular.

http://www.lindytools.com/

[eventhorizon66]

Cool, thanks.