Roller Rockers
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Guide plates are only a safety item for higher rpm and spring pressure when the push rods might have flex. It keeps the tip in the rocker
I've built motors with raised and flat. You need to have about. 005 minimum clearance from the guides to the push rods
the best solution is to run quality hardend. 080 wall chrome moly push rods that will never touch the guides
I've built motors with raised and flat. You need to have about. 005 minimum clearance from the guides to the push rods
the best solution is to run quality hardend. 080 wall chrome moly push rods that will never touch the guides
Racer
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 312
Likes: 64
From: Henry county ohio
You need either self aligning rockers or you have to install guide plates to keep the push rod aligned with the valve stem, unless you decide to go with a shaft mounted rocker system.
Easy path is self aligning rockers.
Easy path is self aligning rockers.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 58
From: Arvada Colorado
The 186 heads may or may not ( can't remember ) be able to use guide plates without machining the heads for the guide plates. Some older Chevy heads needed to be machined for the plates. If they are machined for the plates, the use of plates is no harder than self aligning rocker arms. Personally, I would feel better with guide plates for a high rpm motor but that is just my opinion.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
Look at the pushrod holes in the head. If they are still obround like they came from GM, you will not need any guide plates or guided tip rockers. If they are already drilled out to be round, you will need either guide plates or guided tip rockers. The stud boss must be milled down to accept the guide plate thickness if you choose to run guide plates. Can't tell from here if they have been milled down enough already or not. Stepped guide plate vs flat guide plate is not critical.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
If you do go the guide plate route, check the amount of threads of the rocker stud into the head. Most likely will need a longer stud on the bottom portion of the stud only. The top half should remain the same height / length.
ARP makes rocker studs and they can be had from Summit. Search "fasteners", rocker studs, use w/ guide plates. You will need to know dia and thread pitch, over-all height, etc. Always use LockTite Blue on the bottom threads.
ARP makes rocker studs and they can be had from Summit. Search "fasteners", rocker studs, use w/ guide plates. You will need to know dia and thread pitch, over-all height, etc. Always use LockTite Blue on the bottom threads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
The stock pushrod slots will not match up if the heads or block have been shaved or you have changed the rocker arm ratio. Using guide plates you will need hardened pushrods. I really don't know what raised guide plates are for so can't help you there. But you will need a different stud when using guide plates as they have/need a broad shoulder over the plate.