Pushrod diameter for L83 - 84 Corvette

[elkabong]

What is the stock pushrod diameter for L83 - 84 Corvette. I have not pulled the valve covers but I would like to confirm the diameter for a stock L83.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rrubel]

Should be 5/16", which is standard for SBC's. Are you needing to replace yours?
[RICHR]

 

[elkabong]

I have a ported manifold and 1.6 roller tipped rockers to install. The motor has 44k so I was thinking that it would be a good idea to replace the pushrods while I was there. I am not installing guide plates becasue the motor will not see above 5200 rpm. Plus I don't want to replace the studs with screw-ins yet. (i am in the planning stages for the new motor so I don't want to spend too much when I will ultimately do it right with the new motor) It is my understanding the cutoff is 5500 rpm.

For what it is worth - this is a project for my son and I. I don't mind spending a little cash for learning purposes - plus i gotta keep his interest up.

Do you have a recommendation on some relatively inexpensive pushrods?

Thanks

 

[rrubel]

You *should* be able to use the standard length pushrods (I did, when converting to 1.6 roller-tips), but to be safe see if you can borrow a pushrod length checker to verify. 7.8" is standard length. Pushrods are cheap (I overpaid when I got a replacement set). Competition Products (www.competitionproducts.com) sells a set of 16 heat treated rods for $29.95 (pn 1011). Even though they'll work with guideplates, I don't think the plates are required. I haven't seen NON-heat-treated ones for sale in quite a while.

Oh, forgot to ask - are the roller rockers self-aligning? If not, then you apparently *need* the guideplates... How can you tell if they are, if the box doesn't say? Not sure...

[RICHR]

 

[elkabong]

Thanks for the info. I will check out the pushrods from Competition products. Yes the rockers are self aligning. I bought the Magnums from Comp Cams.

 

[oldace84]

Can the 1.6 rockers be used without screw in studs or guide plates.
thanks
tony

 

[rrubel]

If the rocker arms are self-aligning, then they don't need guide plates. Whether the studs are screw-in or not is really immaterial. You've got 3/8" studs, so you can use 3/8" roller rocker arms. If you wanted to upgrade to 7/16's, which use a sturdier shaft, then you'd get the heads tapped for screw-ins and get 7/16" shafts.
[RICHR]

 

[elkabong]

The rockers are self aligning. I purchased them for that reason. They are real easy to install. I had to replace on cylinders pushrods because they were bent - so I did em all.