Self aligning rockers for L98
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
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From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Self aligning rockers for L98
Do they need them??? Its a 1988 L98..I didnt think they needed them.I thought only aftermarket heads required them.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Spankyellow
If it has guideplates you dont need self aligning rockers.
Originally Posted by FostersPerformance
Ok see i didnt know that either..Why is that??
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Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
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From: The Motor City
Originally Posted by 87 rag
What did an 87 come with?
Thanks
Thanks
These have been used for years on SBCs - they use the guide plates to help maintain rocker alignment. Has worked well pretty much since the inception of the small block.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I wouldn't.
You don't want the rocker to be forced into alignment in two different places (at valve and guide plate) because if they don't agree with eachother on where the rocker should be, it can bind and bend the pushrods.
Some do it anyways and get away with it.
You don't want the rocker to be forced into alignment in two different places (at valve and guide plate) because if they don't agree with eachother on where the rocker should be, it can bind and bend the pushrods.
Some do it anyways and get away with it.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 1
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
I wouldn't.
You don't want the rocker to be forced into alignment in two different places (at valve and guide plate) because if they don't agree with eachother on where the rocker should be, it can bind and bend the pushrods.
Some do it anyways and get away with it.
You don't want the rocker to be forced into alignment in two different places (at valve and guide plate) because if they don't agree with eachother on where the rocker should be, it can bind and bend the pushrods.
Some do it anyways and get away with it.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Dunno. On my iron head, there are no guideplates, the head itself has guides cast into em, and the rockers are non-s.a.
Did you already order the s.a. rockers? If so, I'd just take the guideplates out, assuming it's doable.
Did you already order the s.a. rockers? If so, I'd just take the guideplates out, assuming it's doable.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
The Al heads came in late '86 and the roller block in '87; I would bet that those Al heads came also came with non hardened guide plates & self aligning rockers, like on the later #113 heads.
In that case you can install self aligning RRs but, if you go above the stock 1.5:1 ratio, you need to be sure that the push rod does not contact the guide plates.
Yes the rocker studs come out, they have a 7/16" thread with 3/8" rocker shaft. If you remove the OEM non hardened guide plates you will need same thickness washers under the rocker stud bases. This is why I went with non self aligning RRs as I would likely have to pull the studs in either case. Of course you could just file the stock guides open a little to avoid contact with the push rods.
In that case you can install self aligning RRs but, if you go above the stock 1.5:1 ratio, you need to be sure that the push rod does not contact the guide plates.
Yes the rocker studs come out, they have a 7/16" thread with 3/8" rocker shaft. If you remove the OEM non hardened guide plates you will need same thickness washers under the rocker stud bases. This is why I went with non self aligning RRs as I would likely have to pull the studs in either case. Of course you could just file the stock guides open a little to avoid contact with the push rods.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
I put on a set of Crane Cams Self aligning roller rockers few years ago on my '85 L98..
The stock iron heads had some nasty slots cut into them for the pushrods, stock 'guideplates' I guess.
The stock iron heads had some nasty slots cut into them for the pushrods, stock 'guideplates' I guess.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Originally Posted by 87 rag
What did an 87 come with?
Thanks
Thanks
As stated above does not matter what you run (non or self aligned )so long as parts are compatible.
