I was just wondering what was a better choice, self aligning rockers or non-self aligning with guide plates. Or maybe even self aligning with guide plates? thanks.

 

MY machinest told me I can run one or the other not both. I vote for the cheapest route but that varies catalog to catalog.

 

i don't think there is a better for most steet applications, i'd go the cheapest easiest route.

 

the rockers themselves are about the same price, but with non alinging rockers, youd need the GP whicha re about 30 bucks and youd need hardend pushrods...there about 25-30 i beleive
it also depends on if your heads are set up for guide plates..the section were the pushrods go though the heads will be "open" if there set up for GP's, if not then there will be a hole for the pushrod to go through., in which case you DO NOT want to use GP's....If your heads are set up for them, then u can use either type of rocker...


IMO reguardless of what type of use the motor sees, id go with the plates and some non aligning rockers....its so much fun spending other peoples money


Rob

 

well the heads are afr 195's dont have them yet but i think they use guide plates am i right ?

 

yes.

-Schultzy

 

I am putting corvette heads / ZZ4 on my new engine, which do not have pushrod guides cast into the heads it is just a big opening. Is it still okay to run self-aligning roller rockers, or do I need a secondary guide like the stock non-hardened guide plates that come on corvette? I am curious because if the head of the roller rocker somehow gets off the valve there will be nothing to hold it in place.

 

you can't run guide plates and SA rockers. if you have SA rockers there would be no need for guide plates.

 

They don't want you to use guide plates and SA rockers because it could cause the pushrod to bind. And that ain't good.

 

The stock guideplates on these heads ('113s) are for factory assembly purposes. They are non-hardened and a loose fit to the push rod. So. . . you will need to either swap to hardened guide plates (flat to clear the valve cover braces) and hardened pushrods -or- run self aligning rockers (can leave the stock guideplates in place with the self aligners).

RBob.

 

I have heard many people say that the guide plates are just used for assembly but I wonder if the real reason GM put them on was as backup protection to make sure the rocker won't come off the valve stem. Some corvette owners have reported seeing wear on there pushrods and guide plates which suggest they are there for a purpose other then just assembly. On my factory 083 heads, which have the guides built into the heads and self aligning rockers there is wear on the push rods so they do help keep everything in line.

So is it safe to run self aligning rockers with no secondary protection like corvette non-hardened, “non functional” guide plates or the guide plates built into some heads?

 

Hmm, that is an interesting scenario & question. I really don't know. I did the switch to hardened plates/rods and used non self aligning rockers. It just may be that the stock guide plates are also there to prevent a rocker from slipping off the side, just dunno.

RBob.