74 NovaMan's 1979 Chevy Truck - LS Swap - 5/6 Drop

[SuperBuickGuy]

How do you like your rockers? The ones I ordered arrived last night and there is noticeable play perpendicular to the shaft. I'm probably going to return them.

I haven't spent any time with them, but they seemed to flip fine when I was idly playing with them while 'listening' to my wife....

[74NovaMan]

the rockers $190
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-GM-LS...72.m2749.l2649

How do you like your rockers? The ones I ordered arrived last night and there is noticeable play perpendicular to the shaft. I'm probably going to return them.

[74NovaMan]

the lifters $100
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-LS7-LS2-...72.m2749.l2649

the rockers $190
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-GM-LS...72.m2749.l2649

the buckets $34
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LS-GM-OEM-L...72.m2749.l2649

Thanks for the specifics.

[SuperBuickGuy]

the lifters $100
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-LS7-LS2-...72.m2749.l2649

the rockers $190
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-GM-LS...72.m2749.l2649

the buckets $34
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LS-GM-OEM-L...72.m2749.l2649

[74NovaMan]

I went with the $200 choice because $85 seems way too cheap and the $200 guy has great feedback rating.

[74NovaMan]

$199.99 - 1,780 sold

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-LS7-LS2...whQJc~ndk#rwid

$85.00 - no holders but the ad says 136 sold

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-Hydrauli...UAAOSwHnFVtPdL

[74NovaMan]

I bought bulk AC delco off ebay.

Do you recall who you got them from? I'm seeing a wide range of prices.

[SuperBuickGuy]

those work by simply tying the pairs together

[74NovaMan]

Another choice for rockers (thanks SBG) - $222.75 from a couple of sources

https://speedmaster79.com/Chevy-LS1-...tQ2EXEfpIwyvFI



These don't need guide plates but it's not clear if they require a special bolt or if the stock bolt will work. I like these over the speedway ones.

[SuperBuickGuy]

I bought bulk AC delco off ebay.

[74NovaMan]

Seeing as I'm in the spending mood I've been looking at the last of the valve train parts I need.

Lifter options:

GM lifters from EBAY. $200
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-LS7-LS2...whQJc~ndk#rwid

Summit brand lifters $154
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-htlskit

Both come with new holders and the Ebay lifters seem like the way to go if they are actually GM

Rocker Options:

Summit Brand for $226
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-141556

Some nice looking Speedway motors ones for $270 (once I buy the studs and guide plates)
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Stain...LS,326882.html

For the price difference I'm leaning towards the Speedway.

On the other hand, summit is running a 10% off Summit branded stuff (got that deal on the pistons and springs).

Not really looked into pushrods yet.

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

[oletrux4evr]

And there is lots of swill available out there.

[SuperBuickGuy]

same decision path as I made... 10.9 is fine if you're not going to boost it, heck you could boost it, however 9.7 lets you run swill

[74NovaMan]

Well I finally laid eyes on the other set of heads. They are 823 castings and very nice pieces. From the link SBG provided above:

"LS7 Heads - These were the first heads to bring race car quality and technology to the OEM side. Although common in the aftermarket, CNC-porting of the intake and exhaust runners is usually too costly for a factory head. Titanium intake valves and sodium-filled exhaust valves were previously unheard of in a domestic factory engine, which revved to 7,200 rpm, another anomaly for a pushrod V-8. Right out of the box, these heads have supported more than 600 hp naturally aspirated and substantially more with forced induction. The large, raised runners and 12-degree valve angle enable substantial flow that supports large cubic inches ... the large valves necessitate a 4.125-inch or larger bore"

In addition to being rectangle port intake heads (the intake I have is for cathedral port) the 4.125 inch bore requirement will not work on a 5.3.

So we are using the 706 heads and our compression choices are 9.7 or 10.9. 10.9 seems a bit much and will be kind of on the edge for boost for me. 9.7 is the winner.

[74NovaMan]

I have not been paying attention what was the reason for the rebuild? Is it getting boost, or maybe some day?

Go with the small chamber heads.

https://youtu.be/gJCT5RvPCwM

I was planning on a cam swap and found some milkshake in a corner of the passenger side head. So far we have not found a source for that as the head pressure tested fine. It may have been a head gasket issue. Teardown revealed the need for new pistons and it's snowballing from there. I'd like to leave the option of boost open since I'm so far in anyway.