Sbc question

Can i use self aligning rocker arms (vortec type) on non vortec heads (like 882's) ?
Thank you, roger

 

I cannot imagine why they would not work.

 

Just make sure you have clearance between your alignment ***s, and your retainer,and keeper.

 

And remove the pushrod guide plates if you have them.

 

I have never done this before. So i am curious why the guide plates would have to be removed? It seems like it would be double insurance? Unless you had a guide plate misaligned, and they tried to conflict each another?

 

I have never thought it is a good idea to try to locate pushrods from 2 locations. There is a potential for conflict between the guide holes in the heads and the rocker tip locators. Now it may not be an issue with low spring pressures and low RPM's but if either of these two factors come into play and the pushrods flex ( believe me they do) say .030 or .050...you'll be picking little parts that used to be bigger parts out of cylinders, the oil pan etc. JMHO based on 40 years experience.

 

They do work, but the guide plates may conflict with the alignment of the rocker arm. Watch the valve stem length above the retainer. Valves used without them may be shorter than needed.

 

Yes you can ,My 69 327 Had an issue with a rocker walking off the valve ,You guessed it quick fix .The ratio of the rockers are the same .

 

If you look at the heads that the self aligners come off of they have the pushrod guide holes enlarged and that the rocker depends entirely upon the rocker to center itself on the valve tip. Now when you install 16 of the self aligners on a set 882's you will need to drill the push rod guide holes out to 3/8ths inch. The reason I say this is you might get lucky with the alignment on some of them but some of them won't align and it will put the pushrod in a bind wearing the pushrod,the rocker arm and possibly the valve tip itself. I guess what I'm saying is if you installed 16 of the self aligners I would say it would be highly unlikely to get them to all align with the valve tips without enlarging the pushrod guide hole so that the rocker can center itself on the valve tip >>>>.

 

Yes to what Engine Pro said^^^^^ That needs to be done. I think Comp sells a tool called the "louis" tool for the sole purpose of enlarging those push rod holes in the head.