I have decided to go LE-2, i am going with the stock low milage bottom end, i was wondering, are roller rockers the same for all small block chevy including lt-1? I know there can be some clearance problem with the stock valve covers, is one brand better than the other in this regard?

 

IMO I'd get the Comp Cams High Tech rockers. The reason being the oil port from the pushrod is angled towards the trunion more than say the Pro Magnums. That way if you ever need to adjust the rockers oil will not splatter all over the place. You still have to modify the valve cover supports, but I like them much better than the bulky aluminum rockers. And no... LT1 heads are a traditional "D" port SBC design.
Here's a way to modify the covers w/out having to cut the supports out entirely. It will keep the integrity of the valve cover so it will sit on the cylinder head in a truer fashion than if you were to cut the supports out:

Use a pair of pliers or vice grips to clamp onto the lip of the support:

http://www.geocities.com/ssteal96/vc02.jpg

Bend upwards:

http://www.geocities.com/ssteal96/vc03.jpg

Your done...

However in doing so may compromise the valve cover bolt housings (connected to the supports) so you may have to put the valve covers onto the heads and eyeball them to make sure the housing lines up w/ the bolt hole on the cylinder head. It's really no big deal and you have valve modified valve covers that are just as strong as unmodified.

I always had bad luck with valve covers where the supports were cut out. The valve cover would "warp" after it was torqued down and would leak profusely. I know there are those who've had success cutting the supports out completely however this is just an alternative method.

 

What about aftermarket valve cover?

 

What kind? Some of them you still have to clearence to make them work.

 

I found some that are 1/4 inch taller on Ebay

 

Traditional stamped tin? Billet aluminum? Sheetmetal?

 

The Proform valve covers work really well, you just have to grind the alternator case a little bit.

 

Height is not the problem with Pro Magnum RR's, The width of the RR's interferes with the support webbing.

 

Comp golds are just like the stock lt4 rockers, fwiw

 

Yes they are, but most would prefer to use the Comp Promags or the High-Techs.
And jclark311, as was mentioned, straightening out the small lip on the valvecover supports is very easy and simple to do.

 

Thanks guys, i think what i will do is modify the stock ones to get me going, then i would like to find a set of chrome, or aluminum valve covers that i can dress the motor up with, any info on aftermarket ones?

 

I have some LT1 specific LPE engraved billet aluminum valve covers I can sell you that have already been clearenced for 1.6 roller rockers. Not sure if they'd work for every 1.6 rocker brand, but they'll definately work for either the Pro Mags or High Techs.
They need ALOT of attention in order to look good. They're very oxidized and need some love. The other thing is I don't have the original bolts and the stock ones will not work. PM me if you're interested.

 

http://www.geocities.com/ssteal96/enginebay3.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/ssteal96/enginebay2.jpg

Here's what they looked like when they were new. I'm cameraless right now, but should have some pics later on today if you want me to e-mail them to you.

 

I`ll second the Proforms. Real nice valvecovers.
I have the black crinkle finish. With some tall ARP studs and their Permalock adjusters with my Pro Mags, there was more than enough room. These were on AFR 190s, not OE heads. When you grind the alternator be very careful. The area that you grind is a boss for a small screw that threads from the inside. If you grind too much, there won`t be much meat for the screw to bite into, and it could loosen. I took my alternator apart to make sure all was good.
PS, I got those ProMags for sale in the for sale forum!

EDIT: Also, the Proforms have the GM designed oil/PVC baffle that works great, and with a little squeeze with some channel locks they will fit with the ProMAgs.