Ive read on searches that 87 and earlier motors( mine is an 87 tpi 305) used non self aligning rockers, that the push rod holes in the heads are oval for regs and guide plates for aluminum. I also read an article that said all tpi motors have self aligning rocker arms. Any way Im looking to get 1.6 rollers of the classified section and I want to make sure I get the right set up. So do I need sa rockers or can I get regular rockers. thanks for any info.

 

I've found the statement that all newer tpi heads require SA rockers is kinda misleading. I've got a set of 083 casting L98 heads from an 88 tpi 350 motor that have the old style pushrod slots, and according to popular myth, it should have the big, round pushrod holes that require SA type rocker arms. Best advice is to pull a valve cover and look at your pushrod slots. If they're narrow and sorta rectangular shaped, you can run non-SA rockers, if they're big and round, and don't come close to touching the pushrods, you'll need to use SA type rockers. In fact, here's a pic of SA type pushrod holes.

 

thanks man , really appreciate the pic.

 

My 89 L98 has SA rockers and "old style" slots in the heads. I used SA 1.6's and have no problems.

 

I'm sure that works fine too. I just wanted to point out that he'd be ok running non-SA type rockers if he does happen to have the old style slots. I'm starting to wonder if it was mainly the 305 heads(081 casting) that had the big pushrod holes in those years. In fact, that pic I posted is of an 081 head.

 

Interesting. Would have saved me a bunch of money. However there's another consideration. I believe that part of the reason for the SA rockers is that they're narrow body to clear the center bolt valve covers. Maybe they don't need to be self aligning as much as narrow body. FWIW.

 

Well good luck getting any standard roller rockers to clear the stock vavle covers. You can pay the extra money(I didn't) for Crane cams rr that are clearanced for the stock valve cover's or just get a set of new valve covers or try to modify the stock ones.

Just a thought most of the cars that have more miles may have valve covers in poor shape anyways.

 

Agreed. Yeah, you can either trim the bolt braces on the stock covers or use aftermarket ones to work with standard width rr's. Otherwise, you have to use the narrow ones. I bought a set of taller, aftermarket, aluminum covers a while back from a member here. They clear the standard width, non-SA rr's just fine. The pushrod slots are a non-issue now anyways since I've picked up a set of AFR heads w/guideplates that are going on the motor this spring.

 

Cheater! I'm jealous.

 

Standard Com Pro Mags fit fine under the stock valve covers. You just have to remove the baffels. 5 second job.

 

Totally agree dude. I only paid like $50 for the nice aftermarket covers, and they clear standard ones just fine. Since my L98 heads had the narrow pushrod holes anyways, and now that I have AFR's with guideplates, I'm really glad I didn't fork out the extra cash for the Crane narrow bodied, SA rockers. Besides that, your money is definitely better spent on a set of the Comp Pro Mags. Why pay almost the same amount for for softer, aluminum rockers that are way more prone to fatigue. Stainless steel, full rollers are the ticket these days, especially on a street driven car where durability is an important factor. I'm running Harland Sharp aluminum rr's on my 69 Camaro's motor, but it only sees about 1K miles a year, if that, since it's just a weekend play toy. Besides that, I bought the rr's for that engine probably about 15 years ago, when the stainless ones were uncommon and cost mega-$$$.

 

So if in fact i do have the oval shaped hole, do I need guide plates or just let them rub on the head.thanks

 

Exactly correct, but you should have read the entire post. The original poster was asking about aftermarket "rocker arms" which, of course, includes Pro Mags. We all know those aluminum things are actually door stops, since they certainly aren't what any self-respecting engine builder would use as a rocker arm. The Pro Mags do fit the stock cover bolts nicely.

As for the guides, the push rods are going to rub on something, be it the head opening or a guide plate. If you open up the head guides, you can choose between SA or plates.