[1965tripleblack]

What is the minimum safe length of thread engagement? Longer pushrods and valves cause the lock nuts to have less thread engagement than before.
Thank you.

 

[LATECH]

What are we working on?
what size studs?
Lock nuts...like SBC self locking?
Longer pushrods and valves leave the rocker pivot ball higher up on the rocker stud. It weakens the vlve train at that point. How high are we talking?
Post a photo.
If the threads go completely through the lock nut your OK. But if it is to high on the stud, deflection at high RPM s could be a problem.
Post some pics.

 

[S10 Racer]

Rule of thumb for minimum thread engagement is the diameter of a stud or bolt. If you have 3/8" studs, the minimum thread engagement is 3/8", 7/16" studs is 7/16" engagement and so on. In your case though, you need a minimum of 1/8" thread above the top of the nut to allow the locking part of the nut to be into the threads of the studs. The stock nuts are a "stover" lock nut which is nothing more than a slightly deformed nut and threads towards the top of the nut. This deformed area needs to be engaged on the threads of the studs to be effective.

 

[1965tripleblack]

Rule of thumb for minimum thread engagement is the diameter of a stud or bolt. If you have 3/8" studs, the minimum thread engagement is 3/8", 7/16" studs is 7/16" engagement and so on. In your case though, you need a minimum of 1/8" thread above the top of the nut to allow the locking part of the nut to be into the threads of the studs. The stock nuts are a "stover" lock nut which is nothing more than a slightly deformed nut and threads towards the top of the nut. This deformed area needs to be engaged on the threads of the studs to be effective.

Sorry wasn't clear.
These are the rocker nuts I'm using:

COMP Cams/3/8 in. High Energy polylock rocker arm adjusting nut (4604-1) | | AutoZone.com

 

[S10 Racer]

No problem 1965tripleblack. In that case, 3/8" thread engagement would be the minimum, of course more would be better. Hope that helps.