I have 87tpi 5.0.....I thinking about changing the rockersto stamped steel 1.6 ratio ones. My question is...Do they have to be self aligning?? Also will these ones work??.
Summit Steel Rocker Arms: SUM-G6801 - summitracing.com

They are a pretty good price, but on teh application chart it only lists them as working for the years 76-86 engines...Is this correct. Im looking to spend no more than 80 bucks on a complete set...any other suggestions.

 

Also..whats with the long solt??...should i make sure that the set I purchase has long slot??

 

Also what about the long slot??....Should I make sure that the set I buy has this??

 

1987 was a weird year of GM heads. They will be centerbolt valve cover heads BUT all the 87's I've worked on still used NON-self aligning rockers! They still used the oval-shaped pushrod hole in the head that acts like a guideplate, same a small blocks for decades before.

I'd pull a valve cover on yours and have a look before you order, but I'm pretty sure you'll find they still use the older non-self aligning rockers. If you find your heads are as I say, those rockers will work.

 

Im not sure what you mean...Im looking for pushrod holes that are oval, as opposed to what????......Is that how you tell if they are self aligning or not?? Thanks.

 

Ok I checked the heads....They are oval holes that the pushrod goes through...If thats what u meant. So does this mean I have non self aligning rockers???....I need to know this so I can order what I need. Thanks

 

Im going to post this pic in hopes of solving my problem as well as a million others on this site. This should have been done a long time ago. ...


When I go home im going to check the factory rockers that came off my car. If they look like this tghen Im getting self aligning.....If they dont look like this then Im getting non- self aligning. Tell me if im wrong.

 

You are correct. I beleive you'll find your rockers are non-self aligning.

Pushrod holes on heads that use self-aligning rockers are round, by the way, and provide no lateral support for the pushrods.

 

Wow that's the first time I ever realized my heads have non self aligning rocker arms! I bought self aligning 1.6s and spent about 50 bucks extra on that, all the time I didn't need it! Thanks Damon for providing this info.

 

87 and up have self aligning. Even if they have an oval hole. All L98 cast heads had the oval and use SA

 

So whats the deal here guys??...this guy says its self aligning...everywhere else says non aligning....whats the sure fire way of finding this out. ..

Actually I just checked the factory rockers I pulled off my heads, and they do not have the extra ridges on the sides to keep from sliding off the pushrods. They look nothing like whats pictured....Im ordering the summit non self aligning ones I guess...im sick of waiting.

 

S***..sorry I forgot...one last thing....does this long slot or standard slot thing matter.???pretty much all rockers being sold are long slot....Im guessing this wont effect anything??

 

I dunno bout that... My 87 TA with an original 305 TPI had perimiter valve covers. And it had those cheap lookin old-school rocker arms.

 

87 whas a whacky year. You never know what you're going to find. For sure, if you've got perimeter bolt valve covers then they're non-self aligning rockers. But I've worked on several 87s, much like this one, where it uses centerbolt valve covers but the rockers are definitely NOT self-aligning.

Look, if the rockers on there now are not self-aligning then you know you don't need self-aligning or the factory would have put them on there. You've now confirmed this is the case on your engine. It's run for a couple decades without self-aligning rockers so you obviously don't need them.

Long slot rocker arms aren't absolutely required (they can take more lift becuase of the longer slot in the bottom) but they won't hurt anything either. I know most aftermarket stuff offers longer slots. Get 'em, and put them on- they'll work fine.

 

My 87 350 most definetly does NOT have self aligning rocker arms! The odd thing is the 4.3 heads I have have the same oval shaped holes and self aligning rocker arms. I'll tell you another thing, there's SOOOO much casting flange in the lower intake it's ridiculous. I've got an 89 lower intake and it's 1000 times cleaner than that.

 

I dont mean to hijack your thread, but i have a question about the same thing. I have a 305 TPI 86 non roller engine, and i want to put some Crane Cams 1.6 ratio stamped steel rocker arms on the factory heads. I have heard that when you change out the rocker arms with a higher ratio that you also have to change the springs, because the stock ones will bind. Is there any validity to this? The lift will be about .430in/.445ex with the cam i have in there. I noticed that Edelbrock makes some inexpensive higher compression springs and i wonder if those would work.

 

At that lift you'de be fine; but your springs probably need refreshed anyways. I just used a cheap set of .550 lift springs from eBay or your local speed shop. I paid under 30 bucks for all 16 of mine.

 

If you have centerbolt valve covers dont you need the narrow body roller rockers which are self aligning? The non self aligning roler rockers I dont will clear the valve cover bolts.

 

the ones that I purchased in the link on the first post worked wonders. They fit perfectly under the stock centerbolt valve covers on an 87 305 TPI, and really made the car sound better, and perform better

 

thats cool to know. i think i may pick up a set for my 88 roc.

 

i ve got a quick question sence were all here. i was looking at some summit 1.6RR for my 85 vette motor. would i need a guide plate or anything to keep the RR in line. or would i be fine with the just the RR. the tech guy at summit told me that i would need a stud gridle with the RR, which would also mean i need taller valve covers. i think he was just trying to sale me another part though . just wanted to see what you guys thought.

see them here => Summit Aluminum Roller Rocker Arms: SUM-G6920B - summitracing.com

 

well if you guys think that is wield i have centerbolt heads on my car. and i bought the new style intake b/c i have new style heads. it didnt fit. so i had to take it back to summit and the the old style intake manifold.... kinda wierd.

 

If you have Corvette Aluminum L98 heads they had centerbolt valve covers and use the older style intake bolt pattern.

 

Everyone i talked to about buying roller rockers said you need guide plates, i think even if they are roller tipped rockers as well. Thats why i bought the stamped steel ones.

 

You don't need guide plates if they're self aligning, you can tell if they're self aligning if they have 2 small metal washer looking things beside each roller that rests on the valve.