Guideplates...why?

[4C FED]

What necessitates the use of guideplates?
Cam lift, rocker arms, pushrod to head clearance, all of the above?

What all do I need to do to run without the guideplates?

 

[MikeRenz]

don't you just need self adjusting rocker arms?

 

[JSM]

You need either guide plates, or self aligning rockers but not both.

IMO I prefer guide plates as it puts less stress on the valve and guides.

 

[MikeRenz]

wouldn't guideplates introduce more friction though

 

[JSM]

I don't think so myself, anymore than the rocker pushing valve against guide causing more friction. I may be wrong, but would be 1st time.

 

[Boosted]

lol @ jeff.
I agree Contact spots are very very little on the guide plates on the side of the pushrod. they offer better resistance to valve train harmonics when they are supporting the pushrod in the center, versus the little edge of the rocker trying to hold everthing stable, expecially at higher RPMS.

Z2

 

[bigtime]

INMO,
I don't have any problems with self aligning rockers at our low lift and low valve spring pressures. Actually self aligning are easy to use as there is no setup and the rocker is always straight on the valve thru the whole valve event. I use self aligning on my blown smallblock and take that to 6500 regularly without any issues.

 

[leroy]

Anyone who has made the switch to Vortec heads may want to consider adjustable guide plates. They are made by Isky. The rockers don't want to line up with the valves on the middle two cylinders.

Jim

 

[bigtime]

I may be wrong, but would be 1st time.

I thought I was wrong once but then found out I was mistaken :lol:

We used to cut the guide plates in half, then set them up on the head, then tig them back together

the only way to use guide plates correctly.