The saga continues, I've now discovered that as the rocker arm depresses the valve spring, the rocker tip moves about 1/8 inch to the side. The spring top does not move, it stays straight.
The push rod is not bent either. These are GM 1.5 roller tip/bearing self-aligning rockers on World Castings Sportsman200 heads.
I only have this problem with one valve and not sure why its moving to the side so much, its what is causing the loud clacking.
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Should I have used guide plates and non-self-aligning rockers?
The pushrod is not touching the push rod hole on the heads anywhere either.
Thanks

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Rob
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No, don't use guide plates with self-aligning rockers.

Something's not properly aligned if the rocker tip is moving sideways that much.

It's also side loading the valve in the guide which will lead to premature guide wear.

There are a number of things to check.

The stud may be drilled off center; lifter bore in the block bored off center, pushrod interfrence with the block or head; underside of the rockers interfering with the valve spring retainer; rocker arm pushrod cup off center, etc.

Since it's only happening with one rocker, try swapping that rocker to another valve and see if the problem recurs on the different valve. If it does, it's the rocker; if it doesn't and a different rocker exhibits the same problem, then it's got to be the head, pushrod or block.

Also, make sure that the end of the pushrod that rides in the lifter is centered in the lifter and not riding on the interior edge of the lifter.

Keep us posted.

Jake

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1986 Corvette Coupe, 415 CID, Edelbrock 6073s, ZZ9, TPIS Long Tube Headers and DynoMax Super Turbos (HATE 'em)