Why can't you do this? Somebody explained it to me awhile ago and now I've forgotten. My friend had a solid cam using stock L31 Vortec heads and it seemed to work fine (until the motor blew up). I told him it couldnt be done but cant explain to him exactly why.....

Thanks,
Chris

I think it can be done. Might be a little tricky setting valve lash, but there is no reason I can think of why you cannot use a solid cam with self aligning rockers. In fact, I think that is exactly what Travis is doing - might want to contact him.

I would think the problem/question would have something to do with the "guides" in the tip of the rocker and the lash needed for the solid cams.
Maybe somebody can measure the distance of the roller tip to the outside edge of the aligning washers/rings, that might be the cause for concern. :confused:

I would just very carefully grind the one or maybe two feeler gages down until I could slide them between the rocker arm guides and then continue to set the solid's lash as usual, unless I am missing something here??? pdq67

The only issue with running a solid cam with guided rockers is the "ears" on the rockers. If you are going to use a stock diameter spring that isn't too hairy then you can trim a set of feeler gauges down to fit between the rocker rails (or ears, or guides, or whatever you want to call them). Or, in my case, since I needed bigger springs anyway, I just ordered a set of vortecs already machined for screw in studs and guideplates...now I can run any unguided rockers I want. Just fyi also...the price difference between machining for screw in studs plus the price of regular rockers is about the same as using the stock pressed in studs and guided rockers of the same type.