replacing valve stem seals and was also goin to change the rocker arms to 1.6 car is 89 formula 350 tpi stock what rocker would work with the stock heads searched and not sure if i need self aligning or not thanks thanks

 

if they are vortec heads you will need self aligning narrow body rockers to clear the center valve cover bolts. You might need to go to a tall valve cover also.

 

no they are stock heads

 

are you going full roller, stamped, or roller tip rockers? stamped (which looks like stock) are drop in and go. Full roller Id recommend checking push rod length same with roller tip. if you dont have proper push rod length you can wear out the valve guides, seats, bend, and break stuff. You will not need self aliging rockers but you still may have to use tall valve covers.

 

Stock '89 heads use self-aligning rockers.

 

OK THANKS STILL NOT SURE SELF ALIGNING OR NOT

 

How can you not know???

 

doing same,
valve seal job, for my 1988 L98 with center bolt heads.
thinking of getting the stamped with roller tip from comp cams
should I get self aligned too?

might do write up on job
so any hints at a good <350hp
T-chain + cover + cam
would be great.
would just go with stock but if the price is close... and the wife is not looking

 

wasn't sure because hf monster says don't need self alinging and five 7 kid says yes just want too get the right parts looking at the stamped roller tip from summit there brand will the stock rods work with them i will look for a link thanks

 

wiil these work comp cam 1418 roller tip rocker with stock push rods can't figure out how to post a link

 

If five7kid says to use self-alining use them. when going to a roller you need to check your pushrod length the stock stamped rockers have a large contact area on the valve when you go to a roller its a very small contact area and are less forgiving on pushrod length.

 

ok thanks

 

i would suggest comp cam roller tip #1416-16 , i have used them . i'm happy , just my thoughts . good luck .

 

The 1416's are good, but they aren't self-aligning. The 1418's are the self-aligning version.

These are great:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-1618-16/

If you have any doubts about whether you need self-aligning, look at the pushrod holes in your heads. If they are round and the pushrods don't come close to the edges of the holes, you need self-aligning. If they are narrow slots and the sides are up against the pushrods, you need non-self-aligning. If you need non-self-aligning and are going to 1.6:1's, you may need to open up the bottoms of the slots so the pushrods don't hit the inner part of the slot (the difference between 1.5:1 rockers and 1.6:1 rockers is how close the pushrod is to the pivot).

New pushrods are usually recommended when replacing rockers. You may get away with reusing your old ones, but be sure to inspect them very carefully for any wear if you do.

 

great thanks one more question any suggestion on push rods wasnt to do this right thinking about the 1418 because of cost thanks

 

thanks guys

I haven't even bothered to take off valve covers yet to look at the heads, 280k miles on it and still starts with first bump of key
I guess they are different than the 72 heads lol
I was just thinking the idea is like guide plates... nice to hear the bigger holes for push rods will ease my 1.6 in


and... 89 350 you can
buy or borrow a push rod length checker tool
and the math is not that hard
it is a must do if any head surfacing or lifter change/rocker change is done
I did it one night 4 times just to find out the stock length were ok
chrome molly push rods will work <400HP motor
or if you want look at
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-RP1418-16/
has push rods with it