Facts or opinions about SA Rockers and guide plates

[95ImpySS]

RamAir is right. The rocker stud holes in the aluminum heads are 7/16. The factory stud tapers up from 7/16 to 3/8. I do not recommend trying the idea of guide plates on SA rockers. They are designed to float on the valve stem a certain distance. The push rod will be trying to follow the SA rockers lead and rock side to side. But will be stopped by the guide plate. Which in %90 of cases is made of hardened metal.

Unless you have hardened push-rods I HIGHLY do not recommend the addition of guide plates on SA rockers. They will deteriorate fast and produce metal in your oil. Which will most likely be caught by you oil filter. But passed through you oil pump first.

Keep an eye out on LS1tech. I just picked up a set of Comp ProMags, 7/16 ARP studs and TFS guide plates for $275 shipped. All new. Hell uv a deal

[WarBird]

I have Hardened push rods...(93's and 94's) came with them stock..and i have checked by taking a file to my 93's and my 96's push rods the 96's sustained damage, the 93 didnt ..even had a different sound while trying to scar the 93 unsuccessfully ...

Joe you misread my comment about the studs..I didn't say i was curious to drill out the hole in the head to 7/16! i know they are already that size and the stud tapers to 3/8 OEM
...i was saying "i wonder why the *rockers* stud hole couldn't be drilled to 7/16 to accept a 7/16 stud upgrade the ......rockers ....stud.......hole..... not the head stud hole ...making the 3/8 stud rocker now a 7/16 stud rocker

[RamAir95TA]

I have Hardened push rods...(93's and 94's) came with them stock..and i have checked by taking a file to my 93's and my 96's push rods the 96's sustained damage, the 93 didnt ..even had a different sound while trying to scar the 93 unsuccessfully ...

Joe you misread my comment about the studs..I didn't say i was curious to drill out the hole in the head to 7/16! i know they are already that size and the stud tapers to 3/8 OEM
...i was saying "i wonder why the *rockers* stud hole couldn't be drilled to 7/16 to accept a 7/16 stud upgrade the ......rockers ....stud.......hole..... not the head stud hole ...making the 3/8 stud rocker now a 7/16 stud rocker

Ah, I gotcha.

That wouldn't work anyway. The rocker trunion has locator grooves to fit the poly lock that are sized for that particular stud. 3/8" rocker studs have 3/8" poly locks - same with 7/16" rockers and their poly locks. The larger poly lock would not sit against the trunion properly, undoubtedly causing the poly locks to back out while causing far more unnecessary rocker arm movement on its pivot.

I suggest you give up on your experiment as it will not have the results you are looking for. If it really was that easy don't you think someone would have done it by now? Don't mess around with what works.

[WarBird]

I'll tell ya what these damn rockers are quieter then i was expecting ....they are IMO quieter than the stock rockers ..fwiw with engine running i tightened to zero lash and a quarter turn, set poly lock and snugged....