I would like to buy a good set of nonstamped roller rocker arms for my 454 BBC and use the stock height OEM type valve covers. I want to make sure that what ever I buy does not interfere with the valve covers. The covers that I have have a beveled end on one cover to help clear the power brake booster. I can change these for a set that lacks the bevel if necessary- but a stock look is important to me. I'm willing to insert a 5/16" thick gasket. The heads are 049 castings, the hydraulic cam will have 0.500" valve lift- standard spring height (1.880" at zero lift, I think). What brand of rocker will most likely fit under the covers (with a 5/16" gasket)without grinding the rocker or denting out the valve cover.

I believe Crane Energizers used with 2 gaskets should fit nicely.

I just went through this last weekend on the 496 Im installing in my Camaro. I wanted stock height covers to clear the booster and Im using original 69 GM 074 aluminum heads so I wanted everything to look stock.
I used the Crane Blazer aluminum roller rockers with a .632 lift hydr roller cam. The rockers clear fine. BUT, those tall roller rocker adjusting nuts set up so high, the valve covers hit the nuts on the exhaust side. My cure was to remove the studs and machine .250" off the top of the stud and .250" off the bottom of the nuts. Just be sure you dont cut so much off the nut that the hex on the top of the nut hits the top of the rocker arm.

I now have .030 clearance(checked with clay) between the covers and the rocker studs, and that is with NO gasket.

I run Crane gold roller rockers with the stock valve covers with a Mr. Gasket # 5863 with no problem,

i have been told that comp cams has a roller rocker that is the lowest profile of all but i do not know if that is correct or not. maybe someone on here can confirm that as fact or not. i too am looking for a roller rocker that will clear under a stock type cover but i will probably be using a cam lift of around .600 and change.

http://www.chevelles.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/9/17618.html?

Read this post. Your question is answered for you on the first page. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Mitch