Removing roller rockers???

[Zedder]

A car that I am interested has the original motor, but the owner added roller rockers when he had it rebuilt. I've never dealt with anything but OEM rockers and wondered if removing these is as simple as replacing the push rods and rockers with a set of stock pieces? Can anyone shed some light on this for me please?

[luzl78]

What cam was used in the build?

[TDW]

Are they true roller rockers, or just roller tip rockers. Makes a big difference. If they are just roller tips, you can just swap them for regular stamped ones.

[Zedder]

I assume the stock L78 cam, but I will check. We first talked about the car about 10 years ago and I can't remember the details.

Tony, I'll have to ask as I have no idea. I asked why the valve covers were so tall and that's when he told me it had roller rockers...

Thanks for the responses guys!

[luzl78]

They're probably full rollers.

[Zedder]

If they are, is it a big deal to remove them?

[Salvatore]

just have to use an allen key to unlock the lock/jam nut in the center and then a 9/16th or 1/2" whatever the nut size is. Nothing special to do at all. Put your GM rockers on and adjust the valves. I am sure you saw roller rockers before but just forget.

[Zedder]

Thanks Sam. I only owned completely stock cars in the past so I have no experience with roller rockers. If I get the car finally, it would be great if I could just change out the rockers etc. without having to remove the heads.

[Salvatore]

You will not even have to take the push rods out. Roller rockers are nothing more than roller bearings on the tip (at valve) and the swivel (on the head). The ratio is pretty much dead on with very little friction which is what racers want. They are aluminum which makes the valve train even liter. Loosen the center nut and take them off and then replace with the original rocker arm ball and nut. IF they are roller tip (at the valve) and not roller at the swivel(head)I would leave them on. They WILL fit under the valve covers. I have Comp Cams roller tip rockers on my 1969 Z/28 since about 2000 when we did the motor. I am assuming its not a roller cam motor.

[scuncio]

Check the valve lift with a dial indicator before removing the rockers. If it's an aftermarket cam with ~.550" or greater lift the stock rocker slots may bind against the studs. Crane sells long slot stamped rockers to accommodate higher lift cams (and GM had a longer slot rocker, as well, but I can't remember what applications used them).

Like Sam mentioned...I would just keep them on the motor. You'll never see them anyway....

[Salvatore]

may want to have your mechanic do this for you. You will have to adjust the valve lash to what the cam specs call for with a feeler gauge.

[67 Nova Boy]

Don't forget to check push rod length as they will be different from Roller to OEM.

Dave
67 Nova Boy

[Zedder]

Thanks guys. I guess I'll have to wait and see what is on the motor if I get the car. The owner put on these tall valve covers to clear the rockers and they are so tall that he had to remove the wiper motor because of interference!

[Salvatore]

Should not be that tall. Moroso or other aftermarket tall covers pretty much clear everything on the firewall. At least they did in the old days. YES, best bet is to wait till you get the car. If it is just a rocker arm change that is no big deal for any qualified mechanic.

[scuncio]

You can buy thick v/c gaskets to clear roller rockers with stock covers and they are undetectable to most.

[PxTx]

I'm surprised Eric has not commented yet. Ensuring proper valvetrain geometry can be more complicated that most of us would like. Though a competent mechanic can swap rocker arms- the ones in capable of properly checking everything are s small minority.

I trust you'll be able to install the stock type valve covers, but how easy or how much it will cost is a tough answer to give with the information provided.

My sister's Nova has a set of Crower Stainless Steel roller rockers. I would not be surprised if they would fit under a stock set of covers with a thick gasket. FYI, should your you have issues with the slot on stock rocker arms.

[earntaz]

There may be some here that will disagree with me -- but why do you want to do that? Roller rockers in a HiPo motor are a plus where friction is one of the enemies. Just my .02 worth ... The TAZ

[Plowman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: earntaz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There may be some here that will disagree with me -- but why do you want to do that? Roller rockers in a HiPo motor are a plus where friction is one of the enemies. Just my .02 worth ... The TAZ </div></div>***Because he has no wiper motor. Because of interference{he said earlier}.

[Zedder]

Yep, need wipers to safety the car and get it on the road. Thanks again to everyone for their comments. I'll wait to see if I can finally get the car...I checked my old notes and we have been &quot;talking&quot; since 2001!

[Xplantdad]

Cool....good luck Mark!

[Zedder]

Thanks Bruce...hope you have been well!

[Bill Rose]

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't read anything about what make car this is, or what engine is in it.

Many variables should go into a valve train set-up, if it's not a factory stock motor. Starting with the type of cam/roller/flat tappet, type of lifters, length of the push rods, roller rocker type, rocker stud length, and the length of the polly locks. Until you have all that info, I wouldn't change a thing. It's all about the geometry of the valve train...very important stuff.

[Zedder]

Bill, 67 Camaro L78. Thanks for your thoughts and I agree.

[BJCHEV396]

I have roller rockers on my L78 1970 Nova.Wanted to keep a stock look so I bought stock reproduction valve covers that are 3/4''higher.Look and work fine.Bought 'em on Ebay.Check out the You Tube video of my Nova and see 'em.

[Zedder]

Thanks Bill. Those look a lot better than the ones on the car which are taller and have more squared off edges. Nice car btw!

[BJCHEV396]

Thanks Mark.You really have to look close to notice that the covers are a bit taller.

[ss427copo]

I have a few sets of the H stamped rocker arms that went on the solid lifter BBC's.
NOS Big Block Chevrolet. Long-Slot Rocker Arms”
GM #3959182
Correct rockers for 100 point restorations
These are the real deal. These rocker arms are for Chevrolet High Performance Engines ONLY! They are the high performance, hardened steel rocker arms that have the elongated slots to provide extra clearance with higher lift camshafts (.600+). They have the elusive, H (HIGH PERFORMANCE) stamped on the rocker fulcrum. FULL SET of 16 rockers, nuts and washers. PM me for a price if you end up with that engine and want the correct rockers.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r59/nhra1060sc/image_zpsd8d7fe04.jpg (http://s141.photobucket.com/user/nhra1060sc/media/image_zpsd8d7fe04.jpg.html)

For High Performance Corvettes, Camaro, Chevelle, Impala with the 396, 427 and 454 used these. All BBC COPO’s, LS-6, LS-5, L-72, L-88 L8 and ZL-1 with 1.7 ratios.

[Zedder]

Thanks Jeff...will do!

[earntaz]

How about posting some pictures of the covers in the area of the wiper motor mounting.

[Zedder]

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s177/Zedder_photos/HolleyCarb1.jpg (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/Zedder_photos/media/HolleyCarb1.jpg.html)