Ok, I'm trying to find out if I can use the regular roller rockers with my engine! I know the self-aligning rollers rockers have a little groove for the push rod to keep them self aligned! What exactly is the advantage of self-aligning roller rockers! Will the regular roller rockers work for my setup...I'm starting the engine swap soon....all mods are listed in my signature! I'd appreciate any help with this!

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1986 Trans AM
305 TPI
200,000+ miles (speedo/odometer non-funtional! Odometer reads 142,000)
4 Wheel Discs
9 bolt Borg Warner Rear (2.73's....oh joy) :P
Completely Stock
Soon to upgrade to a 350 converted from TPI to Carb, Edelbrock 750CFM Carb, Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake, Headman Shorty Headers, Some sort of ported heads (undecided), XE268 Cam, Moroso HEI ignition kit with external MSD Blaster II Coil and an MSD 6-AL Box!!
Current project: Keeping my 305 running until I get my income tax returns!

 

look at your rockers at the tip where it contacts the top of the valve. if it has 2 raised ridges it's a SA rocker and you need to replace it with the same or convert to non SA rockers. i'd keep it the way the factory made it.

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd

 

I think that the regular rocker arms will work for your application. Pull a valve cover and see if you've got guideplates. If you've got guideplates you don't need self aligning rockers.

-Mark W.
'88 SC Camaro w/ 305 TBI

 

I'm with Ede. Check and see what you have and replace with the same.

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

R.I.P. #3
My favorite quote about D.E. "He can see air"

 

But I'm not going to be re-using the stock heads!! I will be using double humps or vortechs and if the double humps don't come with rockers then how do I know which were on there?? Again, what's the advantage of using a self-aligning roller rocker?? There must be some reason why people use them on aftermarket heads!!

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1986 Trans AM
305 TPI
200,000+ miles (speedo/odometer non-funtional! Odometer reads 142,000)
4 Wheel Discs
9 bolt Borg Warner Rear (2.73's....oh joy) :P
Completely Stock
Soon to upgrade to a 350 converted from TPI to Carb, Edelbrock 750CFM Carb, Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake, Headman Shorty Headers, Some sort of ported heads (undecided), XE268 Cam, Moroso HEI ignition kit with external MSD Blaster II Coil and an MSD 6-AL Box!!
Current project: Keeping my 305 running until I get my income tax returns!

 

There is no advantage to either.

If the heads are drilled out and have no guideplates in them, you need S.A.s

If the heads have the factory giude plates or you are having them machined for G.plates then you need to use non S.A. rockers.

I wouldn't order rockers until you've figured out what heads you are going to use and what you are going to have done to them.

It all depends on the heads being used.


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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

R.I.P. #3
My favorite quote about D.E. "He can see air"



[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited February 25, 2001).]

 

So basically if i get the heads and they are drilled for guide plates but there are no guide plates installed already then I have two options.....install guide plates or get S.A. rockers! Right!?

If the heads already have guide plate then I can use regular rockers!!

And if the heads aren't drilled for guide plates then I can still use the regular rocker!? right?!

------------------
1986 Trans AM
305 TPI
200,000+ miles (speedo/odometer non-funtional! Odometer reads 142,000)
4 Wheel Discs
9 bolt Borg Warner Rear (2.73's....oh joy) :P
Completely Stock
Soon to upgrade to a 350 converted from TPI to Carb, Edelbrock 750CFM Carb, Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake, Headman Shorty Headers, Some sort of ported heads (undecided), XE268 Cam, Moroso HEI ignition kit with external MSD Blaster II Coil and an MSD 6-AL Box!!
Current project: Keeping my 305 running until I get my income tax returns!

 

Yes.

Basically you don't want to have 2 ways to align the rockers, they will cause interferance with the pushrods.

Either some sort of guideplate, or a self aligning rocker...not both.

You need to look at the heads where the pushrod comes through,. If they are small and oval shaped, and the pushrod fits tight, you can't use S.A rockers.

If the hole is big and round, use S.A. rockers.


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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

R.I.P. #3
My favorite quote about D.E. "He can see air"

[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited February 25, 2001).]

 

people get them because it saves them money.

they don't want to spend the money for screw-in studs & guideplates, plus hardened pushrods.
they just want to bolt something on real easy if they can get away with it. that's why.


Real racers do not depend on anything to be self-aligning. they go the traditional route that I mentioned above. One big reason is that the parts are better quality and you have a much greater selection.

 

One more question for COMPLETE clarification! If the heads aren't already drilled for guideplates and I don't get them drilled for guideplates then I can use regular rockers, right!?

Oh yeah, anybody know if the Vortechs come with guide plates???

------------------
1986 Trans AM
305 TPI
200,000+ miles (speedo/odometer non-funtional! Odometer reads 142,000)
4 Wheel Discs
9 bolt Borg Warner Rear (2.73's....oh joy) :P
Completely Stock
Soon to upgrade to a 350 converted from TPI to Carb, Edelbrock 750CFM Carb, Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake, Headman Shorty Headers, Some sort of ported heads (undecided), XE268 Cam, Moroso HEI ignition kit with external MSD Blaster II Coil and an MSD 6-AL Box!!
Current project: Keeping my 305 running until I get my income tax returns!

 

You'll have to use the self aligning rockers for the Vortec heads. Anything after '87 uses 'em.

-Mark W.
'88 SC Camaro w/ 305 TBI