What do you guys think of self aligning roller rockers for a sbc?

It seems to me that this type of rocker would actually work better then the typical non sa rocker and guide plates. Since a guide plate alows for some side to side movement of the pushrod, were as the sa rocker wouldn't. I would think this would make for a more stable valve train, and possible less noise. That pushrod has to be rattling around some in that guide, right?

Pro's, Cons?

It's all about the same as far as noise. Something always rattles around somewhere. In the case of the SA rocker, it's the rails on the tip.

I don't really think the SA is any better, or worse, than the traditional guide plate system. Either one, built correctly, works fine. The SA rocker is easier to get right though; since as long as the push rod never touches anything, it can't screw up. The builder doesn't have to align anything like you sometimes do with guide plates.

Self aligning rocker arms are for Vortec heads :thumbsup: I don't know if you can use them on other sbc heads or not:confused: I think Vortecs have smaller holes in the head in which the pushrod goes thru, no need for guide plates.

Most all of the newer heads use SA rockers, 87-up. Including but certainly not limited to Vortecs.

The comment about the holes is WRONG. Heads that are set up for SA rockers have LARGE holes for the push rods, because the rockers do the guiding, not the push rods. DO NOT use SA rockers if you have the narrow slots!!! You can use them IF AND ONLY IF (IFF to you mathematicians) your heads have large holes and no guide plates. If yourheads have narrow slots, you MUST NOT use guide plates or SA rockers; if you have guide plates you MUST enlarge the holes and use non-SA rockers; if you use SA rockers you MUST have enlarged holes and you MUST NOT use guide plates. There must be ONE AND ONLY ONE of those 3 possible systems for guiding the rockers in effect at any one time.

I had my 69 350/300 hp rebuilt a few years back and one of holes for a pushrod got enlarged in the process and the rocker would not stay on the valve or pushrod. I changed out that entire rocker assy and push rod, but the problem returned. I took it back to the rebuilder and we installed an SA rocker and the problem was solved.

Good Luck.

Woj