Rocker arm side play ?
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On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2024
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Rocker arm side play ? EDIT VIDEO ADDED
https://youtube.com/shorts/LQMqtjyjBdQ?si=rVcwZ0eIaCJhdFcR
Lash IS set.
Is it normal to have a little side play on the rocker ONLY when it is fully closed?
When they open even a little the side play is gone.
these are full roller rockers.
lash was set to .035 per gatermen. I did use a dial gauge to set it.
Also I set each cylinder while at TDC verified by both pushrods being as short as possible. I know most guys will do one at a time per EOIC
https://youtube.com/shorts/LQMqtjyjBdQ?si=rVcwZ0eIaCJhdFcR
Lash IS set.
Is it normal to have a little side play on the rocker ONLY when it is fully closed?
When they open even a little the side play is gone.
these are full roller rockers.
lash was set to .035 per gatermen. I did use a dial gauge to set it.
Also I set each cylinder while at TDC verified by both pushrods being as short as possible. I know most guys will do one at a time per EOIC
Last edited by Sm0kie; Feb 19, 2026 at 07:08 AM.
It also depends if the lifter has been deflated of oil due to sitting over on the nose of a cam load putting full open spring pressure on it vs another lifter not seeing that same load or being slightly pumped up still. If the lifter is pumped out of oil you will only feel the lifter internal spring pressure due to the preload you set. Your guideplate is mostly in control for this wiggle room. In a setup like above you are adding so much mass to the system I'd prefer to just run stock rockers whenever possible, I suppose you can compensate with more spring, but the beauty of LS pushrod engines are the simple and light valvetrain that is very stable for a hydraulic pushrod system.
Lash IS set.
Is it normal to have a little side play on the rocker ONLY when it is fully closed?
When they open even a little the side play is gone.
these are full roller rockers.
lash was set to .035 per gatermen. I did use a dial gauge to set it.
Also I set each cylinder while at TDC verified by both pushrods being as short as possible. I know most guys will do one at a time per EOIC
Is it normal to have a little side play on the rocker ONLY when it is fully closed?
When they open even a little the side play is gone.
these are full roller rockers.
lash was set to .035 per gatermen. I did use a dial gauge to set it.
Also I set each cylinder while at TDC verified by both pushrods being as short as possible. I know most guys will do one at a time per EOIC
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 129
Likes: 22
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 129
Likes: 22
It also depends if the lifter has been deflated of oil due to sitting over on the nose of a cam load putting full open spring pressure on it vs another lifter not seeing that same load or being slightly pumped up still. If the lifter is pumped out of oil you will only feel the lifter internal spring pressure due to the preload you set. Your guideplate is mostly in control for this wiggle room. In a setup like above you are adding so much mass to the system I'd prefer to just run stock rockers whenever possible, I suppose you can compensate with more spring, but the beauty of LS pushrod engines are the simple and light valvetrain that is very stable for a hydraulic pushrod system.
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I opened a can of worms with bronze guides. I’d prefer the stock rockers myself I already had BTR upgrade kit on my shelf but sprung for some heads from Texas speed and the whole bronze guides thing. TSP says stock rockers are fine but I have my doubts. Just a giant can of worms I never intended on opening.
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Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 129
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I mean, I appreciate you saying that I guess, literally I already have rockers. They’re made by comp cams and have a lifetime warranty. If anything wrong with them it’s certainly not aluminum which on one hand would be nice. I’ve seen a lot of threats about those breaking too.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 129
Likes: 22