LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Isky adjustable pushrod guide plates

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 26, 2011 | 07:56 PM
  #1  
wrd1972's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,668
Likes: 5
From: Central Kentucky
Default Isky adjustable pushrod guide plates

Okay I got a set of New Isky adjustable guide plates dirt cheap (almost free) and I have some questions.

I currently have GMPP guide plates and if you look at the slots, there is a slight wear mark are on the two outer edges. The inner edges hardly even show a blemish. This kind of leads me to believe that the the guide plate slots need to be slightly further apart to more balance the contact the PR makes on both edges of the slot.

Measuring the Isky plate (never ground or modded) with the two halves slid tightly into each other, the Isky slots are .013" further apart than the slots on GMPP guide plate. Even looking at the rockers on the head, it appears that the slots should be slightly further apart.

With all that said, it seems like grinding or shortening the Isky guide plates is possibly not needed. If anything, they might work right out of the package and probably have better alignment than the GMPP guide plates.

What are you guys finding is the standard install procedure for the Isky guide plates? Anybod finding the need to grind them to shorten them? Is anybody having to lengthen them? They look good to me right out of the package fitted together tightly.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2011 | 08:32 PM
  #2  
RamAir95TA's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,467
Likes: 8
From: South Jersey
Default

Are you sure you couldn't correct the alignment issues with the GM plates by loosening the rocker stud, recentering the plates, then tightening them down? You're supposed to do that anyway...
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2011 | 01:10 PM
  #3  
wht97ws6ta's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: Kinston North Carolina
Default

I have the isky adjustable ones on my LT1 and they fit as good as any ive seen. On other motors somtimes i would have to take them to the belt sander to shorten the legs a little or knotch them to clear the head bolts. Other than that i think they are the way to go if you want perfect alighnment.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2011 | 04:08 PM
  #4  
fergymoto's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (129)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 3
From: Rock Hill, SC
Default

You should be looking at where the roller tip makes contact on the valve stem. That is what is important. Not where the pushrod rubs the guide plate. That is not important. That's how it works.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2011 | 04:20 PM
  #5  
speed_demon24's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,609
Likes: 2
From: Ocala, FL
Default

I wish I would have just gone with the TFS guideplates. Getting the ones under the cowl adjusted right was a PITA and more of a guess with a mirror with the engine in the car.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2011 | 06:28 PM
  #6  
wrd1972's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,668
Likes: 5
From: Central Kentucky
Default

Wow what a PITA to install these guide plates. Four hours later and only the driver side done I will completely admit the roller to valve alignment is a great deal better than what I had with the GMPP guide plates.

As many on the board have said, the GMPP guide plates are not really that great, I am now a believer. With the Isky's, the roller is very close to dead center on the valve +/- maybe 1/32" or so on maybe two rockers. I will guess that the rollers with the GMPP guide plates were off a generous 3/32" on four rockers. Yeah I had to use the mirror to get those back rockers just like Speed did.

It seemed like cylinders one and three wanted wider guide plate spacing than three and five. I really though that seemed wierd. I also had to grind the slots deeper because the the PR was making contact just like I did on the other guide plates.

After I had them all installed and I ran the motor, I had to go back in and dial in three rockers a bit better. For the other side of the motor, I will run the motor before I weld the plates to ensure the fit is spot on. That will definitely speed the process up.

The rockers just look much better overall and the rollers are contacting the valves much better than before.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2011 | 12:06 AM
  #7  
BALLSS's Avatar
TECH Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,985
Likes: 112
Default

wrd

I have the ISKY's. yes some had to be ground down. You want the RR dead nuts on the valve tip and these ISKY's let you do that. The GGPP ones I have found wear with hardened PR...which is what you need to run with hardened plates like the ISKY's

FWIW I like the Trick Flo .080 wall PR
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2011 | 05:52 AM
  #8  
wrd1972's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,668
Likes: 5
From: Central Kentucky
Default

I am going to go back and dial those two back in later on to get them dead center. I am planning on reusing my existing Comp chromeoly PRs which I think are .080" too.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:00 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE