Since the only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked, here goes. I was looking at a bare set of World's S/R Torquers and I noticed that the center-to-center distance between the rocker arm studs is slightly (approx. .100") narrower than the valve stem spacing (center to center, again). It would basically have to be, because the diameters of the two valves together, without even considering a safe margin between them, is 3.44 inches. My question is, is this "normal?" If it is, that would mean that the rocker arms for intake and exhaust valves on the same cylinder would have to be "toed out" when looking towards the valves from the intake side. Am I completely off the mark here or is this typical? Please reply. Thanks.

The one set of S/R Torquer 305s were exactly like that.

Thank you, Vader, for your response. Am I to assume that this has something to do with the fact that these are standard 350 sized valves on a head made for a 305 engine? It just seems strange because the cam lobe spacing on these engines is the same, so it would stand to reason that all of the heads for these engines would have to exhibit this quality. I suppose that as long as the pushrods go up and down and don't see significant side-loading (from careless guideplate spacing), it really shouldn't matter what angle the rocker arms face. Anyway, thank you for your response.

As a double-check, you'll want to be certain the rockers are fairly well centered over the valve stems.

I found one clear photo of the assembled S/R heads that I had, and it's fairly obvious how the valves are slightly splayed. It is easy to envision how that would affect the appearance of the rockers once installed.

That photo is worth much more than 1000 words. Thanks very much. Your remark about the rocker arms being centered over the stem tips is well taken. That was what I was most worried about, but I scored some ISKY adjustable guideplates early on in my parts "collection" phase so that shouldn't be a problem. I knew I wasn't crazy, it just seemed like a lot of others thought I was. Anyways, thanks again.

Even stock heads are like that.

Not uncommon, especially once you start getting into larger runner sizes and big valves. On my AFR's the guideplates come into play dictating which way the rockers sit so the guideplates can only be installed one way. Even installed correctly the racker arms still do not sit exactly center on the valve stem...just one of those things.

I see Comp's new shaft mounted rockers have pre load adjusters built in to help cnter the rocker tip over the valve, but those are very spendy units not really designed for constant street usage.

Now I feel vindicated. It appears that adjustable guideplates may partially alleviate this problem, as when I test fitted my rocker arms, they weren't off by much. You'd be surprised how shocked some "techs" get when you pose a question like that to them. I suppose it's not their fault, but for someone with little knowledge of this (beyond theory) it can be very intimidating. Thank you all again.