Rocker Arm upgrade guidance needed

[zz430droptop67rs]

Originally Posted by SSLance

Thanks Don. Those aren't Vortec heads on that engine though, are they? not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Good to know the GM rockers are doing well though.

Lance, they are Fastburn heads which are basically aluminum Vortecs.

[SSLance]

Thanks guys... What about Chrome Molly Steel vs aluminum rockers on basically a street engine that gets run hard on occasion at the track?

Should this be a concern for me?

[Schwartz Perf]

FWIW,
I have 1.6 aluminum Proform rockers on my 406 w/vortec heads. It's a solid roller and I have beat it up pretty hard, no failures in the last 9+ years it's been running.
I believe mine were 3/8. I have taller valve covers on them. I do believe they hit the valve cover at the corners (front & rear) so I had to grind them down a little where their square edge is. I suppose this can change based on the exact valve cover used.. Mine were some billet aluminum ones.

-Dale

[TheJDMan]

Lance, I recommend Harland Sharp roller rockers. I have been running the same set for 30 years and have not had a single valve train related problem.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cs...make/chevrolet

But please, before you switch ratios check your valve to piston clearance and also your valve springs for coil bind! Going from 1.5 to 1.6 will make the valves open further so you need to make sure the valves are not going to hit and springs are not going to bind. Don't rely on what some magazine says will work, they are not going to fix your engine if it goes wrong. I would hate to see you install 1.6 rockers only to bend some valves or break some springs and be sidelined for the season from engine damage. It can get pretty expensive to repair that damage.

[GregWeld]

Lance ---



I think I have a couple sets of 1.6's that will forever be un-used..... and since they're not the self guided --- they would require "guide plates" which I think I also have a couple sets of -- If you'd like -- you'd have to wait until I'm home from my trip to the USCA event and I'll check to see what's laying around and they'd be FREE to you if you wanted to use them.

What you'd then need to find out is if your heads will take guide plates.

[Sieg]

If GW's don't work I'd lean toward the Comp Cam Pro Mag's, not the lightest but I'm guessing they may be some of the stronger more durable choices.

Yes........I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

[SSLance]

Originally Posted by Sieg

If GW's don't work I'd lean toward the Comp Cam Pro Mag's, not the lightest but I'm guessing they may be some of the stronger more durable choices.

Yes........I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

I'm certainly leaning that way as well Sieg... A question some have run into with them is the top of the valve spring contacting the rocker arm at full lift, but those seem to be coming from people with fairly large cams...seriously doubt that will be an issue with my little truck bumpstick.

[SSLance]

Thanks for the most generous offer Greg. From everything I've read, adding guide plates to a stock vortec head is a no-no... In order to go that route, machining on the head needs to be done as well as opening up the pushrod holes. I'd prefer to not crack the seal so speak right now, so my only choice right for the time being will be self aligning rockers.

Sounds like rockers for 3/8s studs are needed and my tall valve covers should clear most sets with minimal or no clearancing needed.