I am looking to move to roller rocker arms in my rebuild but would like to keep the stock valve covers. Does anyone know which work best for this application?

1969 400cu in with a max cam lift of 550 or so....

Thanks
Sean

 

It's been posted a million times, mostly by me. The rockers aren't what hits the valve covers, it's the poly locks.
If you're not going to tap the original 5/16 stud holes then I can get you the whole kit for under $300.00. That rockers, studs, guide plates and a shorter poly lock. But you'll probably still have to use an extra gasket to be sure.
Also make sure your machine shop cut the guides to accommodate the extra lift. Otherwise the retainers will hit the top of the guide and damage the seal along the way.

 

For my '69 442, I used the Harland Sharp bolt-on rockers (I believe they're the S50026A) and Fel-Pro VS13403T gaskets, which are thick plastic with built-in o-rings. Unfortunately the gaskets seem to have been discontinued, but you could get the same thickness with double rubber or cork gaskets. This all fit under the stock notched valve covers with a few dents in the baffles for clearance where needed.

-Jon

 

FelPro still makes the thick gasket. The part number has changed. Don't know it off top of my head though.

 

john at rocket racing hooked me up with a prw rocker kit that fit PERFECT. i was able to use some 307 covers that were angled low on my bbo to squeese in my 83 hurst, great people to work with 262-706-3277

 

Edelbrock makes a great pair of .250 thick gaskets and the part number is #7598 and they will give you the extra clearance you need with the baffles.

 

I had some clearance issues with my valve covers and I used Edelbrock Valve cover gaskets 7598, they are 0.250 in. thick. Summitracing part number EDL-7598.