not sure if anyone has done this . a cheap way to get around buying the adjustable rocker studs is to just put a washer under the stock stud and head . you might need to play around a little with different thickness washers. i just did mine this way and it worked great . sorry if this info is already posted somewhere.
cheap l35 head install trick
- Thread starter turbojake
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Re: cheap l35 head install trick
Excuse my ignorance..but why would you want to do that? Stock camshafts work fine with L35 heads that have net-lash screw-in rocker studs that easily set at 20# torque.
If you have replaced the OE camshaft with an aftermarket camshaft, the net-lash studs must be replaced with ARP 100-7201 adjustable rocker studs. They cost $46 at Summit. If you have went to the expense of installing an aftermarket camshaft, that amount of money is chump-change. I used to spill that much beer on weekends.
Excuse my ignorance..but why would you want to do that? Stock camshafts work fine with L35 heads that have net-lash screw-in rocker studs that easily set at 20# torque.
If you have replaced the OE camshaft with an aftermarket camshaft, the net-lash studs must be replaced with ARP 100-7201 adjustable rocker studs. They cost $46 at Summit. If you have went to the expense of installing an aftermarket camshaft, that amount of money is chump-change. I used to spill that much beer on weekends.
Re: cheap l35 head install trick
Yes the ARP studs are to short. However, you can put a .125" thick ARP hardened parallel ground flat washer between the stud and head (in place of guide plates) and that will raise the studs effective length so they will work with OE or self adjusting, narrow body full roller rocker arms. If OE net-lash rocker studs are converted to fully adjustable rocker studs with a washer, it is asking for broken studs if you have more than 100 / 290 lb. seat / open valve spring pressure. The "bottleneck" on the OE net-lash rocker stud is where the stud will break. The ARP studs have full 3/8" adjustment length.
If your camshaft, lifters and rocker arms are OE or stock aftermarket replacements, converting net-lash rocker studs to fully adjustable rocker studs with a washer will work, but why would you want to?
Yes the ARP studs are to short. However, you can put a .125" thick ARP hardened parallel ground flat washer between the stud and head (in place of guide plates) and that will raise the studs effective length so they will work with OE or self adjusting, narrow body full roller rocker arms. If OE net-lash rocker studs are converted to fully adjustable rocker studs with a washer, it is asking for broken studs if you have more than 100 / 290 lb. seat / open valve spring pressure. The "bottleneck" on the OE net-lash rocker stud is where the stud will break. The ARP studs have full 3/8" adjustment length.
If your camshaft, lifters and rocker arms are OE or stock aftermarket replacements, converting net-lash rocker studs to fully adjustable rocker studs with a washer will work, but why would you want to?
Re: cheap l35 head install trick
The guide plates are about .040" thick and the ARP hardened washers are .125" thick so the ARP washers would have given you two more adjustment threads because each 3/8"-24 thread is .042".
I have 1993 L35 #14099064 heads (date code J292) and I opened up the round push rod guide holes to 7/16". Then I used Scorpion 1.5:1 narrow body self aligning rocker arms and ARP .125" thick washers without guide plates. . The push rods can have alignment problems if you use more than one method of push rod guide. Either use self aligning rockers or guide plates or the round push rod holes but not a combination of any two. That is why I opened up the round push rod holes in the heads to 7/16" diameter and used self aligning rocker arms. I was afraid a counter bore larger than 7/16" could break into the intake port.
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The guide plates are about .040" thick and the ARP hardened washers are .125" thick so the ARP washers would have given you two more adjustment threads because each 3/8"-24 thread is .042".
I have 1993 L35 #14099064 heads (date code J292) and I opened up the round push rod guide holes to 7/16". Then I used Scorpion 1.5:1 narrow body self aligning rocker arms and ARP .125" thick washers without guide plates. . The push rods can have alignment problems if you use more than one method of push rod guide. Either use self aligning rockers or guide plates or the round push rod holes but not a combination of any two. That is why I opened up the round push rod holes in the heads to 7/16" diameter and used self aligning rocker arms. I was afraid a counter bore larger than 7/16" could break into the intake port.
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Re: cheap l35 head install trick
In most cases,using integral guide holes, or guide plates or self aligning rockers do the job equally well. However, if you are going to buy roller rocker arms anyway, buy self aligning rockers and don't use guide plates. As I wrote before, a combination of any of those three methods of push rod alignment can cause the push rods to wear or bind. Sometimes when guide plates are installed on heads that were not designed for them, they can be out of alignment and the push rods can bind. . Adjustable guide plates are made just for that reason. Adjustable Guide plates, Chevrolet V8/V6, ISKY 200-AGP I am not suggesting that those type guide plates be used but they are available if necessary.
In most cases,using integral guide holes, or guide plates or self aligning rockers do the job equally well. However, if you are going to buy roller rocker arms anyway, buy self aligning rockers and don't use guide plates. As I wrote before, a combination of any of those three methods of push rod alignment can cause the push rods to wear or bind. Sometimes when guide plates are installed on heads that were not designed for them, they can be out of alignment and the push rods can bind. . Adjustable guide plates are made just for that reason. Adjustable Guide plates, Chevrolet V8/V6, ISKY 200-AGP I am not suggesting that those type guide plates be used but they are available if necessary.
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Re: cheap l35 head install trick
will the aluminum rollers clear the edelbrock elite valve covers?
will the aluminum rollers clear the edelbrock elite valve covers?
Re: cheap l35 head install trick
Scorpion 1073BL narrow body 1.5:1 self-aligning roller rockers will clear stock metal center bolt valve covers when used on 1994 #14099064 L35 CPI heads. I if those rocker arms will clear stock valve covers, they will clear Edelbrock Elite valve covers since both are 2" inside height from the gasket rail..
I can only vouch for the combination of valve train components I used with those rocker arms. Crower 86051S .865" length poly locks, ARP 100-7201 3/8"-24 x 10mm-1.5 x 1.595" long rocker studs with ARP 200-8689 hardened washer 10mm ID x .750" OD x .120" thick.( I used the ARP washers to gain 1/8" rocker stud adjustment height). I also used Comp Cams 982 ovate (not beehive) valve springs at 1.700" height x 1.250" OD . Those valve springs are stock height and OD. I used Ferrea valves that are 4.910" long (stock length). .
Clearance issues start when you use 1.00" or 1.200" length poly locks, 1.750" long SBC V8 rocker studs, longer valves and taller valve springs. That kind ultra-high RPM equipment requires custom made aluminum valve covers.
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Scorpion 1073BL narrow body 1.5:1 self-aligning roller rockers will clear stock metal center bolt valve covers when used on 1994 #14099064 L35 CPI heads. I if those rocker arms will clear stock valve covers, they will clear Edelbrock Elite valve covers since both are 2" inside height from the gasket rail..
I can only vouch for the combination of valve train components I used with those rocker arms. Crower 86051S .865" length poly locks, ARP 100-7201 3/8"-24 x 10mm-1.5 x 1.595" long rocker studs with ARP 200-8689 hardened washer 10mm ID x .750" OD x .120" thick.( I used the ARP washers to gain 1/8" rocker stud adjustment height). I also used Comp Cams 982 ovate (not beehive) valve springs at 1.700" height x 1.250" OD . Those valve springs are stock height and OD. I used Ferrea valves that are 4.910" long (stock length). .
Clearance issues start when you use 1.00" or 1.200" length poly locks, 1.750" long SBC V8 rocker studs, longer valves and taller valve springs. That kind ultra-high RPM equipment requires custom made aluminum valve covers.
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