obviously the clearance issue, between the rockers and valve covers, depends on both the valve covers and rockers with the jam nuts they use , being used together in the individual application,and because theres a thousand potential combos, Id suggest the taller valve covers are almost always going to provide additional clearance thus they are a safer choice , plus the additional surface area allows them to knock a degree or two off the oil temps as they provide a bit more surface area to absorb and radiate oil splash over heat, generated in the valve train.. but in most cases you can install your full roller rockers under stock valve covers if you DON,t use the tall jam nut locking adjustment nut designs, as its the jam nuts not the rockers causing the clearance issue, but on many stock valve covers youll also need to remove breather baffles and drippers will need to be removed if roller rockers are installed.
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/engine ... ewall.html
Proper push rod length is absolutely critical for peak performance—minimizing bent or broken valve stems, guide wear, and energy-wasting valve side-loading friction.
With the lifter located on the round base circle, position the Push Rod length Checker (make sure you have the Checker with the proper diameter hole) over the stud. Ideally the Checker should contact the top of the push rod and the valve tip evenly at the same moment, should the Checker contact the push rod first, measure the gap between the front of the checker and the valve tip, and purchase a shorter push rod of the correct length. Should the Checker contact the valve tip first, measure the gap between the back of the Checker and the top of the push rod, and purchase a longer push rod
http://www.summitracing.com/search/...d-length-checkers?autoview=SKU&ibanner=SREPD5
Proform Pushrod Length Checkers 66789 SBC 3/8" rocker studs
Proform Pushrod Length Checkers 66790 SBC 7/16" rocker studs
Proform Pushrod Length Checkers 66806 BBC 7/16" rocker studs
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/crank-case-blow-bye-and-related-info.16790/
BE aware you need to verify rocker adjustment lock nut to rocker slot clearance and yes it varies even with the same manufacturers different rocker designs
both stock and aftermarket sbc and bbc valve covers are sometimes available with "DRIPPERS" or metal tabs that are welded or cast into the inside of valve covers that tend to collect and direct oil spray from the push-rods to the rocker trunnion or rocker ball area
yes the steel roller rockers and the jam nuts will generally be smaller in size and easier to make work, but the internal drippers on some cast valve covers will need to be removed ,with any roller rocker used due to taller jam nuts and larger rockers, and internal drippers are not necessary with roller rockers,as the roller bearings require less oil flow, obviously the type of valve cover dripper extension's cast into the valve cover, and the roller rockers and jam nuts you use, or you select can vary so you.ll need to check clearances to see if any work needs to be done to add required clearance IF ITS REQUIRED
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-heavy-duty-end-nipper-38496.html
http://www.grumpysperformance.com/dremel.com
a set of 10" nippers and a cutting disc on a dremel tool and a careful cleaning after the modification is all thats required
obviously theres a huge difference in the interior room in some valve cover designs
I think youll find that cast aluminum valve covers like these
,( rather than the less expensive and flimsy stamped steel valve covers)
with the bolt support holes cast into the side of the height spreads the load much more effectively,
and are also much more ridgid and less likely to warp or bent and thus less likely to leak.
standard long jam nuts are the cause of the clearance issue most of the time
shorter lock nuts provide required clearance
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-1321N-1/
the forged steel rockers generally clear in most application if the short nuts are used
WHILE THESE ARE RATHER EXPENSIVE VALVE COVERS THEY HAVE ADVANTAGES THAT I THINK MAKE THEM WORTH THE COST
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-141-913
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...to-fit-roller-rockers-and-stud-girdles.12208/
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Valve-Cover-Adapter-for-Center-Bolt-Heads,1890.html
there are adapters that allow you to run standard , early perimeter bolt valve covers on the later center bolt heads
READ THE LINKS AND SUB LINKS
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...s-and-valve-cover-install-info.946/#post-1615
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...g-rocker-ratios-and-the-effects.126/#post-156

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/engine ... ewall.html

Proper push rod length is absolutely critical for peak performance—minimizing bent or broken valve stems, guide wear, and energy-wasting valve side-loading friction.
With the lifter located on the round base circle, position the Push Rod length Checker (make sure you have the Checker with the proper diameter hole) over the stud. Ideally the Checker should contact the top of the push rod and the valve tip evenly at the same moment, should the Checker contact the push rod first, measure the gap between the front of the checker and the valve tip, and purchase a shorter push rod of the correct length. Should the Checker contact the valve tip first, measure the gap between the back of the Checker and the top of the push rod, and purchase a longer push rod

http://www.summitracing.com/search/...d-length-checkers?autoview=SKU&ibanner=SREPD5
Proform Pushrod Length Checkers 66789 SBC 3/8" rocker studs
Proform Pushrod Length Checkers 66790 SBC 7/16" rocker studs
Proform Pushrod Length Checkers 66806 BBC 7/16" rocker studs
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/crank-case-blow-bye-and-related-info.16790/

BE aware you need to verify rocker adjustment lock nut to rocker slot clearance and yes it varies even with the same manufacturers different rocker designs




both stock and aftermarket sbc and bbc valve covers are sometimes available with "DRIPPERS" or metal tabs that are welded or cast into the inside of valve covers that tend to collect and direct oil spray from the push-rods to the rocker trunnion or rocker ball area
yes the steel roller rockers and the jam nuts will generally be smaller in size and easier to make work, but the internal drippers on some cast valve covers will need to be removed ,with any roller rocker used due to taller jam nuts and larger rockers, and internal drippers are not necessary with roller rockers,as the roller bearings require less oil flow, obviously the type of valve cover dripper extension's cast into the valve cover, and the roller rockers and jam nuts you use, or you select can vary so you.ll need to check clearances to see if any work needs to be done to add required clearance IF ITS REQUIRED

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-heavy-duty-end-nipper-38496.html

http://www.grumpysperformance.com/dremel.com
a set of 10" nippers and a cutting disc on a dremel tool and a careful cleaning after the modification is all thats required



obviously theres a huge difference in the interior room in some valve cover designs
I think youll find that cast aluminum valve covers like these
,( rather than the less expensive and flimsy stamped steel valve covers)
with the bolt support holes cast into the side of the height spreads the load much more effectively,
and are also much more ridgid and less likely to warp or bent and thus less likely to leak.



standard long jam nuts are the cause of the clearance issue most of the time

shorter lock nuts provide required clearance
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-1321N-1/





the forged steel rockers generally clear in most application if the short nuts are used
WHILE THESE ARE RATHER EXPENSIVE VALVE COVERS THEY HAVE ADVANTAGES THAT I THINK MAKE THEM WORTH THE COST
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-141-913



http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...to-fit-roller-rockers-and-stud-girdles.12208/
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Valve-Cover-Adapter-for-Center-Bolt-Heads,1890.html
there are adapters that allow you to run standard , early perimeter bolt valve covers on the later center bolt heads

READ THE LINKS AND SUB LINKS
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...s-and-valve-cover-install-info.946/#post-1615
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...g-rocker-ratios-and-the-effects.126/#post-156
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