Performance Gain Stock Rockers to 1.5RR?

Larry Hill · 10-30-2021, 06:27 PM

The truck engine liked the 7/16 studs they had less deflection than the 3/8.

Dan Fahey · 10-30-2021, 06:51 PM

Building the Pure Stock engine replaced the 3/8 with a 7/16th stud figuring it was a good bit stronger. Cannot remember the racers name he sent me his modified LT1 SA Stock Rockers. Bought new 7/16th ball, installed them and runs smooth.

Like Billy said, he saw no gain going to Rollers.

Many of our Impala Club members stayed with the Stock LT1 SA rockers installing the popular HotCam with no problems. Figuring the 3/8th Stud was not much of an issue to begin with.

Wondering if someone makes a 1.5 SA Roller Tip?
Use the 7/16th ball and trim the sides up to fit.
Would stop all side loading on the valve and guide.

I have set of original GM SA 1.6 Roller Rockers.
Then again they use 3/8 stud.
Saving them for a project.

Kenny Wigington · 10-30-2021, 08:13 PM

I’ve deleted the pics of some of the pushrod/rocker arm combo’s I had”generated”, before I switched. It wasn’t any faster on track, but I didn’t have one cost me a semi at a Division race again either.

Greg Hill · 10-30-2021, 08:41 PM

Why don’t you try them and see for yourself.

SSDiv6 · 10-31-2021, 04:24 PM

Many years ago, due to the pushrod tip going through the stamped rocker arm pushrod seat, I took a set of Oldsmobile rocker arms, laser welded a piece of 4130 Chrome Moly steel that had been cut and shaped to the contour of the rocker arm pushrod seat, and then had them solution heat treated. It was a matter of longevity than performance; the modified rocker arms were heavier than the OEM replacements by a lot.

The owner of the car approached Danny Gracia at a race, showed him the damaged rocker arms and what he was planning to use in lieu of the OEM replacement rocker arms. Of course, Danny immediately said they would be illegal and he could not use them. Then, some time later, Clark Holroyd comes up with the same concept and design for Chevy and Pontiac engines and were deemed legal to use by Danny.

It appears to be the case of who you are and who you know.

Frank Castros · 10-31-2021, 07:46 PM

Any cam duration, any valve spring, adjustable push rods, adjustable rockers , roller rockers and now solid lifters. The evolution of what we have today.

GTX JOHN · 10-31-2021, 09:18 PM

I had noticed that a couple times about Danny = More often years ago

I "think" he actually likes me now after 30 years.

I would have never got away with modifying the cast rockers.

We broke plenty of them on Mopars and a few on my Big Block Chev.

MAURICE BLENDHEIM · 11-06-2021, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Fahey

Building the Pure Stock engine replaced the 3/8 with a 7/16th stud figuring it was a good bit stronger. Cannot remember the racers name he sent me his modified LT1 SA Stock Rockers. Bought new 7/16th ball, installed them and runs smooth.

Like Billy said, he saw no gain going to Rollers.

Many of our Impala Club members stayed with the Stock LT1 SA rockers installing the popular HotCam with no problems. Figuring the 3/8th Stud was not much of an issue to begin with.

Wondering if someone makes a 1.5 SA Roller Tip?
Use the 7/16th ball and trim the sides up to fit.
Would stop all side loading on the valve and guide.

I have set of original GM SA 1.6 Roller Rockers.
Then again they use 3/8 stud.
Saving them for a project.

Dan…PRW make 1.5 x 7/16 Self Aligning roller tip rockers. Part number is PRW 0835920. If you already have converted to 7/16 studs, why don't you just buy the proper guide plates and a decent set of Roller Rockers and be done with it. Eventually you will end up there anyways. Hope this helps. MB

10-30-2021, 06:27 PM	#1
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,670 Likes: 1,982 Liked 10,906 Times in 2,255 Posts	Re: Performance Gain Stock Rockers to 1.5RR? The truck engine liked the 7/16 studs they had less deflection than the 3/8. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

10-30-2021, 06:51 PM	#2
Dan Fahey VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,128 Likes: 1,084 Liked 184 Times in 113 Posts	Re: Performance Gain Stock Rockers to 1.5RR? Building the Pure Stock engine replaced the 3/8 with a 7/16th stud figuring it was a good bit stronger. Cannot remember the racers name he sent me his modified LT1 SA Stock Rockers. Bought new 7/16th ball, installed them and runs smooth. Like Billy said, he saw no gain going to Rollers. Many of our Impala Club members stayed with the Stock LT1 SA rockers installing the popular HotCam with no problems. Figuring the 3/8th Stud was not much of an issue to begin with. Wondering if someone makes a 1.5 SA Roller Tip? Use the 7/16th ball and trim the sides up to fit. Would stop all side loading on the valve and guide. I have set of original GM SA 1.6 Roller Rockers. Then again they use 3/8 stud. Saving them for a project.

10-30-2021, 08:13 PM	#3
Kenny Wigington Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cumming,Ga. USA Posts: 967 Likes: 36 Liked 60 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Performance Gain Stock Rockers to 1.5RR? I’ve deleted the pics of some of the pushrod/rocker arm combo’s I had”generated”, before I switched. It wasn’t any faster on track, but I didn’t have one cost me a semi at a Division race again either. __________________ 2894 STK

10-30-2021, 08:41 PM	#4
Greg Hill VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville , KY Posts: 1,995 Likes: 69 Liked 279 Times in 68 Posts	Re: Performance Gain Stock Rockers to 1.5RR? Why don’t you try them and see for yourself. __________________ Greg Hill 4171 STK

10-31-2021, 04:24 PM	#5
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 3,047 Likes: 712 Liked 1,606 Times in 584 Posts	Re: Performance Gain Stock Rockers to 1.5RR? Many years ago, due to the pushrod tip going through the stamped rocker arm pushrod seat, I took a set of Oldsmobile rocker arms, laser welded a piece of 4130 Chrome Moly steel that had been cut and shaped to the contour of the rocker arm pushrod seat, and then had them solution heat treated. It was a matter of longevity than performance; the modified rocker arms were heavier than the OEM replacements by a lot. The owner of the car approached Danny Gracia at a race, showed him the damaged rocker arms and what he was planning to use in lieu of the OEM replacement rocker arms. Of course, Danny immediately said they would be illegal and he could not use them. Then, some time later, Clark Holroyd comes up with the same concept and design for Chevy and Pontiac engines and were deemed legal to use by Danny. It appears to be the case of who you are and who you know.

10-31-2021, 07:46 PM	#6
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 3,005 Likes: 2,686 Liked 2,756 Times in 975 Posts	Re: Performance Gain Stock Rockers to 1.5RR? Any cam duration, any valve spring, adjustable push rods, adjustable rockers , roller rockers and now solid lifters. The evolution of what we have today.

10-31-2021, 09:18 PM	#7
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,738 Likes: 2,823 Liked 2,493 Times in 700 Posts	Re: Performance Gain Stock Rockers to 1.5RR? I had noticed that a couple times about Danny = More often years ago I "think" he actually likes me now after 30 years. I would have never got away with modifying the cast rockers. We broke plenty of them on Mopars and a few on my Big Block Chev. __________________ John Irving 741 Stock 741 Super Stock Last edited by GTX JOHN; 10-31-2021 at 09:23 PM.