Chevrolet Technical Information

The information in this section is specific to Chevrolet small block and big block engines. You may already know some or all of the comments and tech tips offered. If so, feel free to skip this section. However, if you are new to camshafts and valvetrains, or new to engine building, you may want to read this section before ordering/installing a camshaft and/or valvetrain components into your engine.
This Chevrolet Technical Information covers:
Valve Springs
Stock Chevrolet valve springs are not designed for high-performance camshafts. They simply can’t handle the added lift of a high-performance camshaft. For this reason, we recommend changing springs anytime you change the camshaft in a small block or big block Chevrolet engine.
Rocker Arm Studs
If you’ve installed a high-performance camshaft and must continually adjust the valves, check the rocker arm studs. Stock pressed in studs are notorious for pulling out of the head, especially on small block heads. Place a straight edge across the studs. If any studs are higher than the others, this is a good indication that they are pulling out of the head. Remove the heads and replace the pressed in studs with screw-in studs.
Flat Tappet Camshafts
When you install a flat tappet camshaft in a 1987-present Chevrolet small block engine originally equipped with a hydraulic roller valvetrain, you must also install new lifters, pushrods, and timing chain. These components must be designed to match the flat tappet camshaft. Using any of the old components will shorten the life of your camshaft and valvetrain components, or lead to total camshaft failure.
Roller Camshafts
Because the lobes on roller camshafts are ground without taper, a thrust button is required. Most roller camshafts also require a bronze distributor gear.
Hydraulic Roller Camshafts
This type of camshaft is similar to a solid roller camshaft, except it uses a hydraulic lifter with a roller wheel. Alloy steel billets require aluminum bronze gears and SADI billets require stock distributor gears.

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