Grumpy, I just realized something. When comparing the brand new rockers to the originals, I noticed there is a difference. At the valve end, these new ones have a recessed area the end of the valve sits in, I believe this is what is referred to as "self-aligning". But on the originals they are just flat steel, presumeably nothing to prevent them from sliding off the valve if they got sloppy and loose (although I would hope you'd have a clue to it getting loose before then!).
Now I'm wondering if these are causing a problem, i.e. the rockers are self-aligning but the pushrods are self-aliging in the retangular "slots" through which they pass in the cast iron heads, and if the two don't agree...well something will bind like, I don't know, a pushrod not rotating.
Again I don't see any marks on the pushrods where they pass through the heads but there again they don't have much run time yet.
I looked up the P/N of these GM steel rockers, and the applications list as 1987 and up. So is this why, because of how the pushrods pass through the heads?
You know these are the one item I trusted someone on and just bought them, and I think I've got the wrong thing. Looking for anyone who can weigh in...don't want to buy new rockers if not needed but will absolutely buy more if that's the right answer.
you need EITHER PUSH ROD GUIDE PLATES
BELOW NOTICE SCREW IN ROCKER STUDS
OR SELF ALIGNING ROCKERS (BELOW)
USED WITH PRESS IN ROCKER STUDS
used with press in rocker studs
yes they DO MAKE ROLLER ROCKERS IN BOTH STANDARD AND SELF ALIGNING VERSIONS
check all valve train geometry and clearance on any engine you assemble or modify the valve train on.
if your heads have push rod guide plates you are not supposed to use self aligning rockers as yes they will frequently bind the push rods up and keep them from spinning, if you have guide plates you want the NON-self aligning rockers
as I've pointed out dozens of times a day spent reading links will save you a week of work and a wheelbarrow full of wasted cash.
Id also use 1.6:1 roller rockers on a mild 383 SBC build in most cases
http://www.pbm-erson.com/Catalog/Erson/Camshafts/Retro_Fit Hydraulic Roller_E/ERSE119815
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Erson-Cams-803-16-SB-Chevy-Extreme-Duty-1-6-Aluminum-Roller-Rockers-7-16-Stud/173036288915?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=1&asc=20160908110712&meid=dd2ef46908f84d1994db01594e3da770&pid=100677&rk=4&rkt=8&sd=173036285468&_trksid=p2385738.c100677.m4598
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...s-in-vs-threaded-rocker-studs.2746/#post-7475
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/valve-train-clearances-and-problems.528/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-in-vs-threaded-rocker-studs.2746/#post-43539
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/push-rods-rub.13031/#post-67779
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-rockers-and-the-pushrods-rub.198/#post-56571
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-springs-and-setting-up-the-valve-train.181/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-pushrods-and-check-info-you-might-need.5931/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/stock-gm-push-rod-length.3844/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ve-spring-iinstalled-height.12790/#post-66037
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/more-bent-push-rods.12401/#post-61890
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/rocker-push-rod-wear-issues.9815/#post-54088
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