Are Guide plates necessary?

[RedGeneral]

87 SBC 350 with Vortec heads, are guide plates necessary when installing new push rods?

 

[idahovette]

Not the answer to your question, but if you do use guide plates be sure your push rods are the hardened type.

 

[RedGeneral]

Ok that's a good tip and thank you for responding. The more I read the more I find out that they should be used.

 

[bucket]

They are only needed if you don't run self-guided rocker arms.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Yes, for sustained high RPM useage - or DRAG RACING, ESPECIALLY with an otherwise OE valvetrain (i.e. springs).
Hope this helps!




If you "routinely" rap it out high enough to float the valves , you will find them beneficial. Otherwise they would be completely useless at the speed limit moving light to light ... you know what im sayin?

Poppin rockers at speed is a pain N D azz.

 

[bucket]

I guess I should have elaborated. All the '87-up style heads used a self guided type rocker arm. If you choose to run a standard, non-guided rocker arm, you must use guide plates.

 

[RedGeneral]

guess I should have elaborated. All the '87-up style heads used a self guided type rocker arm. If you choose to run a standard, non-guided rocker arm, you must use guide plates....

Okay thank you I am using the following heads for this build. ,Summit Racing® Vortec Cylinder Heads SUM-151124Cylinder Head, Vortec, Cast Iron, Assembled, 67cc Chamber, 175cc Intake Runner, Chevy, 5.7L. They came with rocker arms studs and I have to get longer push rods.

 

[bucket]

guess I should have elaborated. All the '87-up style heads used a self guided type rocker arm. If you choose to run a standard, non-guided rocker arm, you must use guide plates....

Okay thank you I am using the following heads for this build. ,Summit Racing® Vortec Cylinder Heads SUM-151124Cylinder Head, Vortec, Cast Iron, Assembled, 67cc Chamber, 175cc Intake Runner, Chevy, 5.7L. They came with rocker arms studs and I have to get longer push rods.

The specs say they need machined for guide plates. Going through the questions asked, Summit says they work with stock type rocker arms. So self guided aka 'self aligning' rocker arms are needed.

 

[RedGeneral]

The specs say they need machined for guide plates. Going through the questions asked, Summit says they work with stock type rocker arms. So self guided aka 'self aligning' rocker arms are needed.

Okay, that makes sense thank you for the follow up, and feedback. The rocker arms in the kit I purchased are self aligning so all i need now is the right length pushrods.

Any suggestions on where I can unload the pushrods and cam that I can't use (besides craigslist and ebay) they both are new.

 

[bucket]

Before long, you will have enough posts that you can start a sale thread here. There's a lot to talk about here, 50 posts goes by fast

 

[RedGeneral]

Before long, you will have enough posts that you can start a sale thread here. There's a lot to talk about here, 50 posts goes by fast

I was unaware of the that, thank you for your help and time.

 

[idahovette]

What camshaft do you have, give us the specs and the brand.

 

[RedGeneral]

What camshaft do you have, give us the specs and the brand.

87 350 SBC bored.30 over
Engine Rebuild, Hypereutectic Flat, 4.030 in. Bore, Standard Rod, Standard Main, Chevy, 350, Kit
Comp Cam 12-238-2 Xtreme Energy Cam 218/224 Hydraulic Flat Cam
Summit Racing® Vortec Cylinder Heads:Cylinder Head, Vortec, Cast Iron, Assembled, 67cc Chamber, 175cc Intake Runner, Chevy, 5.7L,
Comp Cam RP1417-16 Magnum Rocker Arms
Comp Cam Hydraulic flat tappet Lifters
Comp Cam 7695-16 Magnum Push rods 5/16- 8.000
Edelbrock Performer RPM Vortec Intake Manifold 7116

This should cover it.

 

[Rusty Nail]

@SirRobyn0

See there?

Sometimes I gotta just let that **** go.

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[SirRobyn0]

@SirRobyn0

See there?

Sometimes I gotta just let that **** go.

You must be registered for see images attach

aww.... Seriously though you have never offended me, I've enjoyed our interactions and thought the play on me being special was quite a bit funny, so bring it on!