in this case a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

Here are a couple attached pictures... let me know if they open.

 

They did open, any way of getting a close up of the area where the pushrod goes through the head?

 

shoot, I just threw valve covers back on to keep it clean. It decided to start snowing here...

I can twist the rocker arms from side to side, when doing so the push rod moves from side to side also. In the current position (off center) the rods are close to the head wall but I don't see any signs of wear on the rods.

On a side note, does it matter what side the oil fill, pcv and breather line (that runs to the top side of the TBI spacer ring) go? The summit valve covers had to be flopped around to fit.

 

the pictures come up too small for me to get an idea of what is going on.

 

An idea of something common that happens...Did the rocker studs get knocked and bent over? You checked the studs for squareness , before you looked at the stem wipe correct?

The pics are too small.

.

 

You are using self-aligning rocker arms aren't you?

Pic #1 shows at least 1 rocker that isnt centered properly and would cause issues if it was run.

Vortec heads are designed to use a self-aligning rocker arm as they dont use guideplates. You either need guideplates, or self-aligning rocker arms, but NEVER both at the same time.

If you look at the underside of the rocker arm at the arear that sets above the valvestem, there should be 2 raised areas that ride on either side of teh valvestem thus keeping the rocker arm centered on the valve.

Here is a self-aligning rocker arm, if your rocker arms dont look like this, you need to get a set of them.


Here is a self-alining roller rocker arm, it uses 2 vertcal washers to self-align the rocker arm


AP72, just blow up the pic. I had to zoom in quite a bit to see, but it was too blurry to see the self-aligning marks.


peace
Hog

 

Vortec heads are designed to use a self-aligning rocker arm as they dont use guideplates. You either need guideplates, or self-aligning rocker arms, but NEVER both at the same time.

Bingo, right on the money. Using conventional rockers on L31 heads will result in what you see in the pics, rockers lolly-gagged off to the side of the valve stem tip.

 

Thanks fellas, I have to go to work but first thing tomorrow I'll report back on what I find. I'll also take a different camera

 

I thanked you ?

It was good information..nice pictures.. deserved, but I didn't press it.

 

Well they are not self aligning, I attached a few pictures, hopefully they will be larger this time.

If I remember correctly, the push rods should be changed when you change the rockers right? Not a simple swap to self aligning parts.

Im not planning on putting performance parts into this as Im no longer sure of how the motor was built. I would rather build something out of the rig from the ground up later. Just to make sure, I found these from summit
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12495490/overview/make/chevrolet

I'll also order a push rod measuring tool to determine the proper length rods unless you guys think running with these would be ok.

 

You have to have one of these.
1)heads with slot for pushrod alignment. Yours have a round hole.
2)Guideplates with hardened pushrods
3)Self-aligning rockers as depicted in above post. GM used this setup.

 

Yep, plan on just getting some stamped steel self aligning arms, just wondering if I should change out the push rods while im at it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnS46ahJVqI