How many of you with non self aligning rockers have run your vehicle with maybe one or two rockers slightly off center (side to side) of the valves?

 

Well, I am asking because my trickflow guide plates are not lining up every rocker perfect. I do know about the isky adjustable guide plates but I hear they are a pain in the *** to install. I have a concern about two or three of the rockers. How is it possible to damage the valve guide if most of the rocker is contacting the valve?

 

Of-course, depending to the degree that they are "off-center".....You can have increased friction, increased deflection, and increased side-loads placed on the valve-stems which can "easily" contribute to the valve-guides wearing out faster than normal.....Also, having the rocker tips off-center can put added stress on the roller rockers needle bearings, and even added stresses on your rocker studs.....For something so easy to correct, (IMO) there's really no reason to risk any of this......If you haven't already, try simply increasing the size (side to side) of your guide-plates stud holes....this will commonly give your guide-plates the additional side to side movement needed to bring your rocker tips into near perfect alignment....if not, you could always do the "age old" slotting of the center of the guide-plate so that they can be spread or crimped slightly.....or better yet, (I'm not sure what you have heard) but the Isky adjustables are really a piece a cake to install.....you just align one side at a time and tighten the stud down.....some guys like to spot weld them after they are aligned perfect, but it's not mandatory...........Joe