Is a 3-step bad?

[JP1738]

Originally Posted by Steve Stasko

I don't think this is the place to admit to using a three-step in a Stocker...but if you're breaking valvetrain parts in the other car...it's not from the three step. You've got some unhappy geometry or your maintenance intervals need changed.

I have a 3-step on my stocker but it's set way low, around 5200. I was warned to keep rpms down during the burnout as free revving my 305 near 7000 could frag a stock rocker arm or send a push rod through it. It is in an abundance of caution, not necessarily inexperience.

As for my other car, I lash valves every oil change (40-50 runs) but rarely see much change. I might have one or two that need adjusted but typically even when I check them, they were ok anyway. I would be surprised if it was a geometry issue, Scott Duggins at PAR put it together for me and has freshened it multiple times in the last 5 years. I trust his engine building prowess. I should note that I get these rocker stud breakages despite running a stud girdle.

Is a three step bad/illegal in a stocker? Or just frowned upon? Honestly don't know, I'm still new here.

[Steve Stasko]

Originally Posted by JP1738

Is a three step bad/illegal in a stocker? Or just frowned upon? Honestly don't know, I'm still new here.

I've always taken the rulebook for it's literal value. It says two-steps are permitted, but there is no verbage on three-steps...which I've always assumed to mean they are not permitted.

If you're constantly going out and banging the limiter, then yeah, it's going to break stuff. The only time I ever put my car on the limiter is on the launch. I still believe something else is going on though with the valvetrain.