I'm currently installing my HS 1.7's , i have one side of the engine all done, and all the rockers are torqued down 22ft lbs. However they are Ridiculously close to hitting the sides of the head. in fact, one Might already be touching, while some others are somewhat distant. I dont really want to continue installing them because im afraid theyre not going to fit right but i need to get my car going ASAP. suggestions ??

 

You have a 98 right....
I have heard that the perimeter heads have had issues,
all the others are golden.

But this was on the rockers when they first came out, Not sure if that has been fixed.

 

hmm thanks for the reply, Nathan @ Nastyperformance said they would be fine but would require valve cover grinding which i was totally aware of. but now tihs is a big problem and im not sure what to do, should i just get OEM replacement ?

 

I wouldnt.

Dry the head corners with degreaser or just plain gas with a lint free rag.
Duck tape right off the inside corner area with plastic trash bags all over the rest of the head, leaving you just enough space to grind the head corners & enough to clear the rockers (the masking and bags are to avoid any metal dust debris in the rest of the head).
If you take your time, it's a piece of cake. A friend of mine had to do that for some 5.3 casting (682 or something like that). Worked well for him.
Important:

 

rather than risk anything getting in the motor from grinding the head, grind the corner of the rocker itself. You wont be taking enough material out of it to weaken it. I have had to do that to 2 sets of harlands.

 

That is another option, there is a thread on this in this forum.

Still IMO, we all take risk at everything we mod. When done patiently and correctly what seems impossible becomes possible.
Otherwise (Maybe a stupid analogy) but we wouldn't paint stripes or flames on a car because we risk ruining the whole paint job.
or we wouldn't do the LS6 PCV mod, because we would risk contaminating the rest of the block.
It's all in the masking and covering of the rest of exposed areas, and a steady hand of course.
You could also say, you could risk ruining your HS rockers.
Decisions, decisions.
Good luck but keep the Harlands.