C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

how does this valve stem wear pattern look?

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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 01:41 PM
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Default how does this valve stem wear pattern look?

Well engine has been run for total of about an hour. The wear patterns look thin but off center. What do you all think? Engine is solid roller with about .630 gross lift. Planning on spinning it to 7k, Afr 220, 1.6 Harland and sharp rr, hardened thick wall pushrods which were pretty pricey and I would rather not buy them again..

Bonus: here is the nick the piston stop made. I will just lightly sand it I guess.

Last edited by rithsleeper; Feb 14, 2015 at 02:12 PM.
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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 05:10 PM
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....... It will be fine ... For peace of mind you can measure the half moons and the stem itself with calipers and verify that you're pattern is in the middle of the stem at some point ... preferably midway to full open ... Same with the nicks on the piston , they won't hurt anything but while you're there you might as well polish them up a bit ...........

Last edited by C409; Feb 14, 2015 at 05:14 PM.
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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 06:54 PM
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Are those the AFR-8000 springs?
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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 08:25 PM
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I'd go with longer pushrods. If you're spinning the motor, it has to be right. As it is, you'll have uneven guidewear and...
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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by 383vett
I'd go with longer pushrods. If you're spinning the motor, it has to be right. As it is, you'll have uneven guidewear and...
can you get an adjustable push rod for setting overall length needed to center the pattern in the middle of the valve stem, and then order custom length(s) to match ?
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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by rithsleeper
Engine is solid roller with about .630 gross lift. Planning on spinning it to 7k, Afr 220, 1.6 Harland and sharp rr, hardened thick wall pushrods which were pretty pricey and I would rather not buy them again.
With the solid roller, what kind of valve lash do you run?
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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by mtwoolford
can you get an adjustable push rod for setting overall length needed to center the pattern in the middle of the valve stem, and then order custom length(s) to match ?
That is exactly what I did. However the measurement I got was in between two sizes and this was the size closest.

A new set of these push rods are over $200 since the springs are so big.

I run .025 lash.

Yes they are the Afr 8000

Last edited by rithsleeper; Feb 14, 2015 at 11:23 PM.
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Old Feb 14, 2015 | 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted by rithsleeper
That is exactly what I did. However the measurement I got was in between two sizes and this was the size closest.

A new set of these push rods are over $200 since the springs are so big.

I run .025 lash.

Yes they are the Afr 8000
Go with a different manufacturer if you need to. You should be able to obtain a perfect pattern with the correct length. Custom order them if you need to. Your pattern starts at the center and moves towards the outside. You don't want to run with the geometry thus far off.

Last edited by 383vett; Feb 14, 2015 at 11:57 PM.
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Old Feb 15, 2015 | 07:00 AM
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Originally Posted by 383vett
Go with a different manufacturer if you need to. You should be able to obtain a perfect pattern with the correct length. Custom order them if you need to. Your pattern starts at the center and moves towards the outside. You don't want to run with the geometry thus far off.
with 383vett, if your going to be turning high rpms, it's even more important to have the rocker tip centered... You can always put the pushrods you have now up for sale to get some money back...My pattern was very close to what you have now after installing the 1.6 Crane Gold rockers, moving one pushrod size got my pattern more centered...To check your pattern after changing pushrods,use a permanent black marker on the valve tip,put the rocker back on , run the engine a minite , then remove the rocker to check the pattern..The closer you can get the roller to the center , the less wear on the valve guides..My pattern is not perfect , but close enough, and I'm turning much lower rpms then you are.....WW


Last edited by WW7; Feb 15, 2015 at 11:27 AM.
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Old Feb 15, 2015 | 07:43 AM
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What manufacturer would you recommend that makes the hardened 5/16 rods? I have the 1.550 od springs with #600 open pressure....
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Old Feb 15, 2015 | 09:38 AM
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Wouldn't he need shorter pushrods instead of longer? Since his wear mark is closer to the exhaust side of the head.
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Old Feb 15, 2015 | 10:07 AM
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Originally Posted by DanielRicany
Wouldn't he need shorter pushrods instead of longer? Since his wear mark is closer to the exhaust side of the head.
Yes, witness mark toward the exhaust means the pushrod is to long, witness mark towards manifold means the pushrod is to short....When Pete Kane originally built my motor , the witness mark on the valve tip was almost half of what it is now....When I changed to the Crane Gold rockers, the witness mark opened up ( wider) to what you see above in post #9 , but at least it is centered........WW

Last edited by WW7; Feb 20, 2015 at 10:31 PM.
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Old Feb 15, 2015 | 10:59 AM
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Wonder if .5 less would be just about right
Manley makes a real nice pushrod, trend etc. Never bent or busted one yet.
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Old Feb 15, 2015 | 01:20 PM
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Lash caps are available in .080 and .060 from Manley and Crower. Cost between $45 and $120 for 16.... just another alternative to fixing you rocker geometry.
Will
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Old Feb 16, 2015 | 07:27 AM
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On my original problem I had with the clearancing the large retainer lash caps were a thought and I even bought some then called Afr and they said don't do it. Get the right rocker so I did Harland and sharp.

I don't get how shimming the rocker stud would do anything...? The rocker doesn't bottom out in the first place, so it would just leave more threads up top but still have the same angle... Or maybe I'm visualizing it wrong.

Shorter push rods.... My ones I have now are 7.950 so I guess I will try a 7.900 since my measurement was in between the two.... Some of the patterns are very close to the center so if the 7.900 puts the wear pattern too close to the intake side I can mix and match depending on the valve. Some of the rockers are angled because of clearance to pushrod to the head... Afr said this was because large runner volume in the 220cc head....
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Old Feb 16, 2015 | 12:43 PM
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7.900 are common length.

Just going off Summit prices.

.080 wall are between $100 for TFS and $130 for Manley.

.120 wall are $192.00 from Manley.

If I had to choose between the pattern being slightly towards the exhaust side or slightly towards the intake side.... as long as the roller is starting out on the intake side, rolling outwards to the centerline and back to the intake side.... you'll have more lift at the valve if its slightly towards the intake side.
Will

Last edited by rklessdriver; Feb 16, 2015 at 12:48 PM.
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Old Feb 16, 2015 | 07:48 PM
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Afr said I need to use .120 wall rods and so did comp cams (they just want more money). I'll bite the bullet and get the smaller rod.

My pattern width is much larger than any walkthrough or guide to setting a pushrod length. Is that because of my high lift? Does anyone have a smaller pattern and have close to .700 gross lift?
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Old Feb 16, 2015 | 09:04 PM
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Pattern width is a result of the engineered geometry in the rocker arm itself.
Will
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 04:47 PM
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Good thread guys!!
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Old Feb 20, 2015 | 10:13 PM
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I'd get an adjustable pushrod, install a weaker spring, mark the valve tip, adjust it until the pattern is centered, send the pushrod out to have the right ones made.

I don't understand why anyone would put so much money in an engine build, get so close, then want to leave something "close enough".
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