Ok so I got my forged 355 back from the machine shop last month. And a rookie mistake on my part I bought the comp cam pro com rockers, not realizing stud size. So here is the delimia do I just say **** it and get new rocker arms, or do I take it back and get them to install bigger studs to accommodate the rockers? Do I really need the bigger studs? Has anyone had a problem with the stock studs? Or should bite the bullet and send the heads back in for bigger studs. I mean the heads are already bolted on, just install rockers and pushrods and start putting everything back in. I want to get my car on the road already. Let me know what y'all think, thanks.

 

Why don't you just install the new studs yourself? They bolt right in.

 

You can get new arp studs for like $50. Bolt them in yourself. Just read up on how to adjust the rockers. Do you have sa or nsa rockers? Make sure you use guidplates if you have nsa.

 

I have a nsa rockers, for bigger studs don't I have to resize the stud holes. If that is not the case, then that is a no brainer. Braker bar, and a tall socket should get it done. But what is the torque specs for the studs.

 

The lower threads are 7/16" on both 3/8 and 7/16 studs. Only the top part for the rocker differs in thread size.
So, no you don't need to resize/re-tap the threads in your head.

 

Damn that's a no brainer, then. Change out the studs myself it is.

 

I think my arps were 55ft pounds. Not sure what a stock stud is but it isn't too much.

 

I know everyone is using isky guide plates I don't really want to weld if I don't have to, plus I don't have the equipment to do so. What other guide plates has worked well? I'm looking at the comp cam ones. Has anyone tried them?

 

You don't want the Comp ones. Trickflow or GMPP or Isky.

GM p/n 14011051 (8 needed) (good idea to check them with a file for hardness)
Trickflow Part # 30400623-8

Wait...you said the heads were bolted on and ready to go, just install rockers, pushrods...
What were you going to do about the guideplates?

 

I've been running GM guideplates for years. Make sure you get the ARP rocker studs for guideplates, the base thread part has a slight shoulder to help align the guideplate.

 

All I see is 5/16 guide plates, with they fit with the 7/16 studs? Even those guide plates suggested are 5/16.

 

5/16" pertains to pushrod size

 

So all of the guide plate are compatible.

 

Yeah the guidplates will work since the bottom of the stud is the same size. Like said, the size pertains to the pushrod size. I run the isky and didn't weld them. They lined up everything really well without even having to modify them. If you torque the stud properly they shouldn't move at all.

 

I'm using the trickflows. They work just fine with my 5/16 pushrods and 7/16 rocker studs.

 

Trickflow guide plates here
Tick 5/16 .080" wall pushrods
And comp aluminum rockers.
7/16 arp studs.
Life is good

 

I would not have listed them, if they weren't.

 

Same here.
Running the Isky's.
I don't know why you'd want to weld them.

 

You've purchased a great set of Rockers, but in using them, you're in for an education, in terms of the difference between SA and NSA... .

Now... Ask me how I know.

That post looks like one I posted 3 years ago, when I did the exact same thing. Except I wanted to mod my Studs to 7/16ths... . But until I was installing my new Rockers, NSA meant "National Security Agency".

It's a Pain in the ***. But just order up the bigger studs, take your time and you'll get through it and be happy ya did.

 

use thread sealer on the new studs. TQ is 50 ft lbs

IMHO the ISKYS allow dead nut alignment of RR to valve stem tip. No need to weld the two sides together after install. You "may" need to grind some of the fingers down on the ISKY's so a bench grinder makes quick work of that.....or you could use a file.

For me the one piece guide plates just did not allow perfect alignment...YMMV