Roller Rocker install
#1
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Roller Rocker install
I would like to add a set of GM 1.6 self aligning roller rockers to my 88 IROC 305 TPI auto car. The peanut cam needs all the lift it can get. Any one done a rocker arm install that would be willing to give me a hand? I know there is a technique to the install and adjustment.
Thanks
Thanks
#2
Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: West Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 01 Z28 / 85 TA
Engine: 346 /355 V8
Transmission: 4L60E /700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73 / 9bolt 3.27
Re: Roller Rocker install
Two things you should check before installing 1.6 rockers.
1) You may not need self-aligning rockers. If the push rod slots in your heads are rectangular and barely any bigger than the push rods themselves, then you should not need self-aligning rockers. However, if the slots are circular and much bigger than the push rods, you need self aligning rockers.
I mention point #1 because my 88 350 engine had rectangular slots and self-aligning rockers, but non-self aligning rockers would have sufficed as an upgrade.
2) Sometimes the push rod slots in stock heads need to be enlarged when converting to 1.6's. Only way to know for sure is to check before you run it.
1) You may not need self-aligning rockers. If the push rod slots in your heads are rectangular and barely any bigger than the push rods themselves, then you should not need self-aligning rockers. However, if the slots are circular and much bigger than the push rods, you need self aligning rockers.
I mention point #1 because my 88 350 engine had rectangular slots and self-aligning rockers, but non-self aligning rockers would have sufficed as an upgrade.
2) Sometimes the push rod slots in stock heads need to be enlarged when converting to 1.6's. Only way to know for sure is to check before you run it.
#3
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 87 Firebird, 90 bird coming soon
Engine: 355 Chevy Vortec Heads TPI, LT1 inj
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.77 posi 9-bolt
Re: Roller Rocker install
Once you get these things dealt with, it's really not hard to put them in. Just takes a little time and patience. Shoot me a PM and we can see if I can get a free day to help you out.
#4
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Re: Roller Rocker install
Thanks guys. I will pull the valve cover and check out the rocker arm slots. Birdtojag I will pm you once I am sure what I am dealing with. Thanks again for the tips and help.
#5
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Re: Roller Rocker install
Ok just my 1.6 crane gold roller rockers in today. They look really nice. They are the self aligning type rockers.
#6
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: Red 1984 Z-28
Engine: 4.8 LS
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Roller Rocker install
Just a question, why not replace the cam and lifters as well if you're already swapping rockers? You said you wanted to get more lift out of your peanut cam, why not get rid of it entirely eh? Just curious!
#7
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Re: Roller Rocker install
So basically, I was just looking to get a little more out of the original motor before it gets a total change.
Last edited by burnout88; 03-18-2011 at 01:09 AM.
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Re: Roller Rocker install
Here is some pics of the stock rocker arms and heads. They are clearly self-aligning arms, with no guideplates.
#9
Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: West Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 01 Z28 / 85 TA
Engine: 346 /355 V8
Transmission: 4L60E /700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73 / 9bolt 3.27
Re: Roller Rocker install
Your heads also have square push rod slots barely any larger than the pushrods themselves. So you probably don't need the self-aligning rocker arms, but if you have them already you use them.
#10
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Re: Roller Rocker install
Birdtojag got my new rockers installed today on the IROC. He nailed the adjustment on the first try!!! The motor is actually a lot quieter then it was with the stamped steel rockers and there is a very noticeable power increase. The install is very straight forward and it is actually an easy mod once you know how to properly set the rockers. I think we were done in just a little over an hour and most of that time was removing and installing the valve covers.
Birdtojag is awesome!! He really took to the time to show me the correct install procedure.
Birdtojag is awesome!! He really took to the time to show me the correct install procedure.
#11
Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: West Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 01 Z28 / 85 TA
Engine: 346 /355 V8
Transmission: 4L60E /700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73 / 9bolt 3.27
Re: Roller Rocker install
Did the crane golds come with poly locks?
That's great to get a noticeable power increase from the rockers. In addition to the extra lift from 1.6 vs. 1.5 stock, the roller pivot point has much less friction then the stock ball and seat which also increases power.
Something I read about stock stamped rockers a while back is that even though they are said to be a 1.5 ratio, they very rarely are when measured and are usually less. What's more, the ratio is often not consistent between rockers.
That's great to get a noticeable power increase from the rockers. In addition to the extra lift from 1.6 vs. 1.5 stock, the roller pivot point has much less friction then the stock ball and seat which also increases power.
Something I read about stock stamped rockers a while back is that even though they are said to be a 1.5 ratio, they very rarely are when measured and are usually less. What's more, the ratio is often not consistent between rockers.
#13
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Re: Roller Rocker install
Did the crane golds come with poly locks?
That's great to get a noticeable power increase from the rockers. In addition to the extra lift from 1.6 vs. 1.5 stock, the roller pivot point has much less friction then the stock ball and seat which also increases power.
Something I read about stock stamped rockers a while back is that even though they are said to be a 1.5 ratio, they very rarely are when measured and are usually less. What's more, the ratio is often not consistent between rockers.
That's great to get a noticeable power increase from the rockers. In addition to the extra lift from 1.6 vs. 1.5 stock, the roller pivot point has much less friction then the stock ball and seat which also increases power.
Something I read about stock stamped rockers a while back is that even though they are said to be a 1.5 ratio, they very rarely are when measured and are usually less. What's more, the ratio is often not consistent between rockers.
The crane gold rockers really are very nice quality.
Last edited by burnout88; 05-01-2011 at 05:38 AM.
#16
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Re: Roller Rocker install
Amazon has the best deal on them at $344 but that is not what I paid for them. I bought them back in Feb. and they were only $310 then. Looks like everyone just had a price increase on them.
http://www.amazon.com/Crane-10758-16.../dp/B000CCFGQY
Last edited by burnout88; 05-03-2011 at 03:30 AM.
#18
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 87 Firebird, 90 bird coming soon
Engine: 355 Chevy Vortec Heads TPI, LT1 inj
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.77 posi 9-bolt
Re: Roller Rocker install
Andy, the rockers I gave you are 1.5s. I'm always glad to give a helping hand for you guys. Hardest part is finding the time. Brian, thanks for letting me use your scanner. I was good to finally see what the readings were on my car. If I can get it to act up again, I'll let you know and we will see what we can find if there actually is something wrong with it. BTW, did you get a chance to see what the reading was on your MAF with key on, engine off? Courious to see if my MAF is actually failing.
#19
Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: West Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 01 Z28 / 85 TA
Engine: 346 /355 V8
Transmission: 4L60E /700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73 / 9bolt 3.27
Re: Roller Rocker install
Good to see that people aren't buying into the so-called "recovery".
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PHOENIX/ TOLLESON ARIZONA
Posts: 598
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
1 Post
Car: 90 IROC 5.7 1LE CLONE 89 GTA 88IROC
Engine: 5.7TPI / 5.7TPI/ 5.7TPI/ 4.3 CMFI
Transmission: 700R4 UPGRADED 700R4STOCK700R4STOCK
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10 BOLT 3.27 9 BOLT 2.77 9BOLT
Re: Roller Rocker install
NOW I GOTTA GET CRANE GOLDS. ( MY HEADS ARE OUT AND TORN DOWN. NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW )
#21
Supreme Member
Re: Roller Rocker install
Thats awesome Brian, glad that camaro of yours has some more power. You going to take it to the track and see what it does?
#22
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
#23
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Re: Roller Rocker install
Andy, the rockers I gave you are 1.5s. I'm always glad to give a helping hand for you guys. Hardest part is finding the time. Brian, thanks for letting me use your scanner. I was good to finally see what the readings were on my car. If I can get it to act up again, I'll let you know and we will see what we can find if there actually is something wrong with it. BTW, did you get a chance to see what the reading was on your MAF with key on, engine off? Courious to see if my MAF is actually failing.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mickeyruder
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
3
09-02-2015 02:45 PM
LT1Formula
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
7
08-20-2015 09:36 PM
IrocZ'85
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
0
08-17-2015 06:24 PM