Self Aligning or Not?
 

I have been seeing some conflicting information lately regarding rockers.

I used to think all centerbolt heads require self aligning rockers.


A recent hot rod story said that you only need self aligning rockers if you have round pushrod holes, and that some centerbolt heads have oval holes which do not reguire self aligning.

My 083 have oval holes.

I do not have guideplates.

I have seen both suggested here as well.


So, what do I need? Self aligning or not?

Re: Self Aligning or Not?
 

self aligning needs to be used when you are not running hardened push rods and guide plate.

Re: Self Aligning or Not?
 

I've heard that too.

But self aligning rockers did not exist before 1987, most pre 87 heads did not have guideplates, but did not require self aligning pushrods.

The pushrod hole kept them aligned.

Re: Self Aligning or Not?
 

sorry I was confused I thought you were talking about roller rockers. You can use either stamped steel ones but self aligning are better.

Re: Self Aligning or Not?
 

Oval holes or guide plates = non self alining
round holes or no guide plates = self alining
Any combo of 2 or more of these, oval holes, self alining and guide plates = no no
You only need one form of them to prevent binding and keep rocker correctly placed.

Re: Self Aligning or Not?
 

Thats what I thought and I wanted to make sure.

I had a pushrod failure before, and I think this is why. I had self aligning rockers on 083 heads, which have oval pushrods.

Too much trying to align and created bind.

This is a good example of miss information getting passed along.

Roller or not should not matter.

Year of heads may or may not matter.

Hole in pushrod does.

Thanks again, This will save me money!:nod:

Re: Self Aligning or Not?
 

good info learned something today

Re: Self Aligning or Not?
 

Just remember that some guidplates are heat treated and some are not, same with pushrods.

Re: Self Aligning or Not?
 

:nod:

What appear to be factory " guide plates " on the Vette L98 113 alum heads (SA rockers ) are only there to help assembly at the factory

Re: Self Aligning or Not?
 

For the sake of discussion, what about aftermarket heads? My Dart heads have round holes and guideplates. Are other aftermarket manufacturers the same way? May be a useful little FAQ section.

Re: Self Aligning or Not?
 

Most after market heads need non self alining and a hardened push rod.
Best to check with the heads
makers instructions.