Rockers Hitting Valve Covers
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Rockers Hitting Valve Covers
I have a 73-454 with a mild cam (.500 lift etc). I had stock stamped steel rockers installed. They were noisy and clacking due to a couple of cracked *****. I ordered Summit replacment stamped steel, compcams pushrods and a set of ***** and adjustment nuts. After install you could not only hear the rockers smacking the valve covers, but see the inside of the covers (close to intake manifold side) being hit by the intake rockers. Tried two differenct valve covers and double gaskets with same problem. Then I looked real close and the Summit replacement vs the stock rockers were about 1/4" to 3/8" longer from toe to heel. Looking straight down at the push rod side of the intake rockers you can see why they hit as they are almost even with the edge of the head lip. You would have to have a totally verticle valve cover to avoid this.
I am going to take out a couple of the intake rockers and accurately measure them against the stock ones along with the replaced push rods to stock length to see if they are > stock length causing increased lift.
My question is: Has anyone else had problems with stock stamped steel rockers vs replacement ones like this? Thanks.
I am going to take out a couple of the intake rockers and accurately measure them against the stock ones along with the replaced push rods to stock length to see if they are > stock length causing increased lift.
My question is: Has anyone else had problems with stock stamped steel rockers vs replacement ones like this? Thanks.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I've had this problem with the roller rockers! There are valve cover spacer plates for the rollers that will shim the covers upward enough for clearance.
Maybe this bump will draw another response for you.
Willcox
Maybe this bump will draw another response for you.
Willcox
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
I have roller rockers under stock aluminum finned covers, mine were hitting the side of the valve cover on the carb side, I elongated my holes slightly and reinstalled the covers with out any problems....
hope it helps..p
hope it helps..p
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Thanks for the replies and info. Bent pushrod - not out of the question and I will check the intakes as they seem to be the ones hitting the inside toward the carb.
Wilcox Corvette - do you carry spacers?
thanks
Wilcox Corvette - do you carry spacers?
thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
You can get the Felpro double layer cork valve cover gaskets, they are 2 gaskets together with a layer of metal in between. They are 5/16" thick. $38 at Summit. I used these along with a Mr Gasket rubber gasket glued into the valve cover to clear my 1.75 Isky full roller rockers on a .608 lift cam and they clear stock chrome BB valve covers. The gaskets are barely noticeable once torqued down.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
I have a like new nos gm rocker arms and grooved ***** that I tried, but would not work with my 930 comp springs, also have a nice set of trick flow push rods if you need them, price will be cheap if it will help you out
jmorgan@gwlc.com
313 300 1648
jmorgan@gwlc.com
313 300 1648
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
There should be no way a stock valve train should hit the valve covers..As radical as the lifts on L88`s and LS7`s, they still use stock tin valve covers and really without double gaskets too...At a 500 lift, yours is slightly less than a L72 or L71 427`s.......If for some reason you cant adjust the valve cover to be free from contact, go to a local parts store and get another set. Because if they were correct they wont hit...
