Rocker guide plates/studs
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 1,723
From: Summerville SC
Rocker guide plates/studs
I am putting roller rockers on an L98 aluminum head w/ flat tappet lifters. I know the guideplates on these heads were for assembly purposes and are not hardened, so they are being changed out along with the pushrods. The question is do I need to change out the studs for hardened ones? Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
The self aligning rockers had the assembly plates and the early ones like my 86 had real guide plates with normal rockers. The studs are not great I've read besides the arp 3/8 aren't too bad priced, 7/16 can be a bit higher. Also ARP studs have a flat top so they hold lash better.
I have the guide plates off my 86 or some new comp cams & a new set off some dart heads if your interested, I like to use the adjustable ones. Also have some barely used comp cam ultra gold rockers 1.5 3/8 I been meaning to sell. Think I also have some new arp 3/8 stud that are takes off on some heads I bought. PM me if your interested and I can send some pics.
I have the guide plates off my 86 or some new comp cams & a new set off some dart heads if your interested, I like to use the adjustable ones. Also have some barely used comp cam ultra gold rockers 1.5 3/8 I been meaning to sell. Think I also have some new arp 3/8 stud that are takes off on some heads I bought. PM me if your interested and I can send some pics.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
I am putting roller rockers on an L98 aluminum head w/ flat tappet lifters. I know the guideplates on these heads were for assembly purposes and are not hardened, so they are being changed out along with the pushrods. The question is do I need to change out the studs for hardened ones? Thanks.
Push rod guide plates were never put on for "assembly" purposes as many ignorant folks have claimed but rather to guide the push rods on the wider 1-7/8" valve spacing 2.02" X 1.60" heads OR for aluminum heads because aluminum would wear out in a blink because its so soft. The stock studs are plenty hard and strong for all but the most serious performance work.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 139
Likes: 10
From: Franklin kentucky
Push rod guide plates were never put on for "assembly" purposes as many ignorant folks have claimed but rather to guide the push rods on the wider 1-7/8" valve spacing 2.02" X 1.60" heads OR for aluminum heads because aluminum would wear out in a blink because its so soft. The stock studs are plenty hard and strong for all but the most serious performance work.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I've read stories about guide plates on L98 engines being for assembly since they are not hardened and were used along with self aligning rockers. So, I'd actually be curious if those guide plates are hardened or not. Try filing one and see if it's easy to remove material.
Apparently, people have found L98 engines with both the guide plates and self aligning rockers so those guide plates were not required to keep the rockers aligned.
Apparently, people have found L98 engines with both the guide plates and self aligning rockers so those guide plates were not required to keep the rockers aligned.
