Can anyone tell me, approximatley how much lift you can have (in a 1973 454) before the rockers start hitting the stock valve covers? If you are only in the .550 range, would you have a chance of hitting?

Thanks,
Fred.

I don't think stock rocker arms and high lift cams along with stock valve spring settings create a problem with stock height valve covers but rather when you start using aftermarket roller rockers AND stud girdles...

Anybody else??

pdq67

What pdq67 says!

I hope you don't plan on using stock rocker arms with a .550" lift cam. I broke a rocker arm with a .510" lift years back. Go with at least long slots. No clearance issues there.

Add to that, even at .550 lift you will have to check retainer to guide clearance. If you have stock umbrella type seals on the heads, you will most likely run into interference on anything over .540 lift, depending also on what the installed height of the retainer is. For a true stock retrofit application, I would stay to .520 - .530 lift.

Well, what are the lift's on the old L-88 and ZL-1 solid cams??

But right about the slots tho...

pdq67

Thanks for the suggestions and infor. At least I don't have to purchase new vavle covers. Big Block parts really put a dent in the wallet (compared to small block parts).

Fred.

My 427 has a .630 lift solid and Crane rollers with stock orange valve covers with double thick gaskets and no interference at all.