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I’ve seen a few threads about installing non self aligning roller rockers, and I’m left with a few questions:
1. Is the non self aligning criteria to accommodate for the valve cover bolts?
2. Would this mod necessitate different rocker studs?
3. Has anyone heard of Blumax rockers?
4. Is there a specific rocker that anyone has installed with good results?
5. I understand the drip tabs will have to be ground. Approximately how much material should I expect to remove.
The vehicle in question is an 89.
Last edited by Brandon Iron Smithe; Dec 30, 2023 at 01:26 PM.
Reason: Clarification
Years ago I installed #113 aluminum heads and 1.6 ratio Scorpions roller rockers in my 86 Corvette and they have worked well for me at least.
I cut off the drip tabs from the inside of the center bolt valve cover.
The picture now also shows the new valve cover that I installed.
I went with some Comp Cams Ultra Pro Magnums and have been super happy with them. Setting up the guide plates really wasn’t too bad. I think a lot of people say to go non-SA because the L98s had guide plates from the factory, but those should get replaced with hardened plates or removed with new rockers and rods either way. I’m not sure I’ve seen anybody talk about valve cover bolt clearance. Weren’t the 88-91 aluminum heads set up with self-aligning rockers from the factory? I’d hazard a guess that you’d be fine with either.
I’ve not heard of the Blumax rockers and have nothing bad to say, they’re probably fine but I’d be wary of aluminum rockers from an unknown company…
On the drip tabs I just went as close to flush as I could with my dremmel. Checked that I was getting a good squirt of oil from the pushrods and haven’t thought about it since, hasn’t seemed to be a problem.
Thank you for a very comprehensive response. The pro mags are certainly an option I’m looking at. The dimensions appear to be pretty close to the OEM stamped rockers, so maybe that would simplify things.
I’ve seen a few threads about installing non self aligning roller rockers, and I’m left with a few questions:
1. Is the non self aligning criteria to accommodate for the valve cover bolts?
2. Would this mod necessitate different rocker studs?
3. Has anyone heard of Blumax rockers?
4. Is there a specific rocker that anyone has installed with good results?
5. I understand the drip tabs will have to be ground. Approximately how much material should I expect to remove.
The vehicle in question is an 89.
No, non SA is for performance applications and are more stable at high rpms as the plates align the rocker arm where as SA rockers are aligned by small tabs on the tip, the stock 1989 corvette came with self aligning rockers, the plates they came with are for assembly they are not guide plates
1989 came with screw in studs no need to change studs
I usually remove it all be careful the 89 has fragile magnesium covers dont not attempt to snap off use a small cut off wheel then belt sand or die grind the rest
I went with 1.6:1 self aligning stainless. I figured it’s a good idea to retire the stock valve springs. I’m looking at a set of Elgin RV-943X. Are these suitable? I’m not trying to set land speed records. Just want reliability. I really want something drop-in without paying an arm and a leg. Also, since I’m installing self aligning rockers, and the “guide plates” are only for installation, can I delete them without consequence?
thanks in advance
Last edited by Brandon Iron Smithe; Jun 7, 2024 at 06:26 AM.
I went with 1.6:1 self aligning stainless. I figured it’s a good idea to retire the stock valve springs. I’m looking at a set of Elgin RV-943X. Are these suitable? I’m not trying to set land speed records. Just want reliability. I really want something drop-in without paying an arm and a leg. Also, since I’m installing self aligning rockers, and the “guide plates” are only for installation, can I delete them without consequence?
thanks in advance
I think yes and yes, it looks like max lift on those spring is .490 and if I found the right cam specs max lift for 1.6s is going to be around .460, don’t know much about spring rate but it doesn’t seem excessive or anything. As always, check your installed height vs the coil bind to be doubly sure you’ve actually got your .460 of needed lift available. I’d think you should be fine to remove the plates with the SA rockers.
I think as long as they go over your valve guide and sit inside the diameter of your seat you should be okay, the bottom retainer will go over the shims and hold them in place with the spring pressure.
L98 Roller Rockers
