[scheetz93]

hello all I am looking to through a set of 1.6 ratio roller rockers in my 88 Chevy 5.7. It has the center bolt valve cover. from what I hear I need to look for a special type? what am I suppose to be looking for?

I want to spend around $200-250 if you guys have any suggestions let me know

thanks all

[rickd]

scheetz93,
there are a multitude of rockers on the market you could use. check out summit, jegs or your favorite parts supply store. i used comp cams rockers. i stayed away from the aluminum rockers and went with the steel roller rockers for the street.
you can look them up by application on their website or give them a call.
good luck, rickd

[Deuce]

Special rockers are required for the centerbolt valve covers........

Most companies make some. Chevrolet has some in their catalog.

[67 Deuce 4 Me]

You need a narrow body self aligning rocker. I recommend the comp cams magnum roller tip rocker for your application. If your heads are stock and Im assuming they are you also need to get them for 3/8 rocker studs........Ed

[scheetz93]

what dose it mean to be "self aligning"

[1ownerT]

Self aligning rockers use some type of guide on each side of the roller tip to keep the rocker arm on top of the valve.
Summit brand aluminum $ 269-279
Comp Cams $ 324
Trick flow $ 299
Crane gold $ 319

[scheetz93]

CAT

here is the set i am looking at RKSS-350A1.6L made by CAT

[scheetz93]

i got reading the site and the RKSS-350A1.6L are NON-Self Aligning but they are the Narrow Body for center bolt covers 88-99

What is the deal with that? Is this what guide plates are for?CATPEP.COM

[rickd]

i went to summits online catolog to check for a part number for comp cams magnum roller tip rocker for your 1988 350 chevy centerbolt. i came up with cca-rp1418-16, $209.00. i used this style versus aluminum with needle rollers because i had been told it is a good idea, if using aluminum roller rockers with needle rollers, you should pull the intake and epoxy a very fine screen into the lifter valley in case one of the rockers goes to pieces,(which happens at times), this will keep the needles from going into your engine. then it would be recommended to take the intake back off and clean the needles from your valley. i didn't want the hassle. if you decide to go with these, double check the part number.
good luck, rickd

[1ownerT]

Originally Posted by rickd

i went to summits online catolog to check for a part number for comp cams magnum roller tip rocker for your 1988 350 chevy centerbolt. i came up with cca-rp1418-16, $209.00. i used this style versus aluminum with needle rollers because i had been told it is a good idea, if using aluminum roller rockers with needle rollers, you should pull the intake and epoxy a very fine screen into the lifter valley in case one of the rockers goes to pieces,(which happens at times), this will keep the needles from going into your engine. then it would be recommended to take the intake back off and clean the needles from your valley. i didn't want the hassle. if you decide to go with these, double check the part number.
good luck, rickd

Don't bother it won't make a difference, the lower oil drain holes in the heads do not pass through the lifter valley

I stand corrected, I don't know what the h$ll I was thinking.

[Jmark]

Stay away from CAT products! Most are not the best quality and are made waaaaaay west of LA. Most that have tried them did not like them. Usually sub-standard quality.

[DoubleVision]

I agree, stay away from CAT products. the ratio of them likely isn`t a true ratio they advertise, and the quality isn`t very good either. The lower drain holes on the heads don`t drain into the lifter valley? Every small block chevy made that I`ve ever looked at does, where else does it drain back at then?

[strikingthematch]

Agreed with the CAT products also watch out for PROFORM there has been a couple of post on here about broken rockers and other nightmares when it came to engine parts that have any stresss on them.
The web site listed there had almost all CAT products listed as around $200...
Your going to have to pay a bt more for self ali. rockers and also for center bolt. Check out ebay and look for scorpian I have never heard anything bad about them and they may make what you need for less.
I also agree with 67Deuce on the magnum tip rockers if you want to save some money. They are a good choice.

Chris

[scheetz93]

I am not planning to make a racing motor it is just for the street. So as far as the cat stainless steel rockers go you guys don't recommend them for anything?

[strikingthematch]

As I have seen on the board... No
Cat rotating assem. anything is just a lesser grade. It's not that you have to be building a race engine to not use them it's how long you want your engine to last. In other words buy some good rockers and get 100 + thou. out of them buy cheap and see ya next week...

Chris