Roller Rockers under stock valve covers
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 561
From: Macedonia Ohio
Roller Rockers under stock valve covers
Guys,
I have been thinking of installing roller rockers on my 65 L-79. I have been looking at Harland Sharps. Has anyone done this and used the stock valve covers? Also, do you see any advantage installing these.
Larry
I have been thinking of installing roller rockers on my 65 L-79. I have been looking at Harland Sharps. Has anyone done this and used the stock valve covers? Also, do you see any advantage installing these.
Larry
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 502
Likes: 37
From: Pine Barrens New Jersey
Your either going to need valve cover shims or several thick gaskets with reinforcement in between. Stock covers and stock gaskets won't cut it. If you have power brakes then you have to check clearance there also but it should be ok.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
Problem with a full roller rocker is that the poly-lock style rocker nut is too high to clear the underside of the stock valve cover. Unfortunately, there is no short poly-lock style rocker nut which doesn't stick above the top of the rocker stud (as far as I know).
Alternately, one can't use a self-locking nut because the slot in a full roller rocker is not wide enough.
I've used the Comp Cams roller-tipped rockers successfully for many years as long as the valve spring pressures at full open have not been above ~300 lb.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 57
From: Williamsburg Virginia
Question
NOM61 I am currently using Comp Cams roller tip rocker arms on a 427. I used two cork gaskits glued together and have plenty of clearance. Not sure about a small block?
Whats the story behind the MGA avatar?
Earl
Whats the story behind the MGA avatar?
Earl
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
I run Comp Cams Pro Magnum full roller rockers on my small block. I have a set of Pep Boys chrome valve covers (stock in dimension) and run the THICK Fel Pro valve cover gaskets. Everything clears fine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 814
Likes: 7
From: toronto ontario
I have these rockers with stock valve covers and a Fel Pro thick gasket, no problems with fit. Don't know how to put a photo on here but check out my garage there are photos of the rollers and covers.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 621
Likes: 1
I have GM performance parts self-aligning roller rockers under stock valve covers, with Mr. Gasket thick cork gaskets.
Are they worth having? I don't know. I have seen a few dyno sheets that claimed something like 10HP, as I recall. I did not dyno mine with the rockers as the only change.
Are they worth having? I don't know. I have seen a few dyno sheets that claimed something like 10HP, as I recall. I did not dyno mine with the rockers as the only change.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 494
From: Corrales NM
I have Comp Cams pro magnum full rollers. I use Felpro performance cork/lam valve cover gaskets, .301" thick. Works great.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FPP-1604/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FPP-1604/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I ran this set up back in the late 60's on my '63 with no issues... I guess I just didn't know better back then.
Unfortunately this is what things tend to look like after 36 years in storage...
I'm now in the process of restoring the car to be period correct with a hydraulic roller and the same rockers. However this time I'm using these covers from PML...
The covers are much more substantial than the stock covers and provide about a half inch additional clearance.
http://www.yourcovers.com/valve_covers_11026.php
Good luck... GUSTO
Unfortunately this is what things tend to look like after 36 years in storage...
I'm now in the process of restoring the car to be period correct with a hydraulic roller and the same rockers. However this time I'm using these covers from PML...
The covers are much more substantial than the stock covers and provide about a half inch additional clearance.
http://www.yourcovers.com/valve_covers_11026.php
Good luck... GUSTO
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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Hey Wayne, beauty car eh! What size holley are you running? and what sort of HP is it making? Sorry to jack thread but I figure it's pretty well answered.
