Guide Plate Preference?

Dave Turner · 08-09-2014, 08:47 PM

On canted valve engines, is there a brand of guide plate preferred by most? BB Chev, Cleveland and 385 series Fords for instance.

Tim H · 08-09-2014, 09:42 PM

Hey Dave,
Really like the adjustable DART guide plates on my BBC.

JHeath · 08-09-2014, 10:02 PM

I have seen lots of 351C engines with Manley guide plates.
42163-8 for 5/16" pushrod
42156-8 for 3/8" pushrod

Alan Roehrich · 08-10-2014, 08:37 AM

I prefer the GM plate on my big block Chevy engines, if I'm using a GM head.

For aftermarket heads, I usually try to use plates that are adjustable.

Bill Diehl · 08-10-2014, 08:53 AM

The ones with stepped up tips.....you want the point of contact as close to the rocker as possible, because the pushrod moves to the side throughout its lift, (unless you have perfectly inline pushrods/lifters) and canted engines do not.

The correct way is utilizing a 42/46 lifter location along with (on 351 fords) a 1.850 or larger lifter spread to minimize this. The 42/46 location works well on BBFords as well

If one is to operate in extreme rpm range valvetrain geometry is the most important issue to get right.

Notice that I said valvetrain geo, that means the whole system.

If the rules do not allow the modifications that I stated than you revert back to my first sentence.....step the ends up as close as possible to the tips.

The store bought Manely's as stated above are the best off the shelf piece for Fords as BBChevy already have rotated lifters

Just one of the obstacles to overcome when building a 2hp per CI stocker...Wait...., the toothpaste is out of the tube now...

08-09-2014, 08:47 PM	#1
Dave Turner VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Schomberg, ON, Canada Posts: 1,222 Likes: 1,606 Liked 364 Times in 138 Posts	Guide Plate Preference? On canted valve engines, is there a brand of guide plate preferred by most? BB Chev, Cleveland and 385 series Fords for instance. __________________ Dave Turner SS/GT #1153

08-09-2014, 09:42 PM	#2
Tim H VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,041 Likes: 1,068 Liked 481 Times in 158 Posts	Re: Guide Plate Preference? Hey Dave, Really like the adjustable DART guide plates on my BBC.

08-09-2014, 10:02 PM	#3
JHeath Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 786 Likes: 2,876 Liked 370 Times in 101 Posts	Re: Guide Plate Preference? I have seen lots of 351C engines with Manley guide plates. 42163-8 for 5/16" pushrod 42156-8 for 3/8" pushrod __________________ Jerry Heath I/S '93 Cobra FS/J 2010 Mustang "Ebay CJ"

08-10-2014, 08:37 AM	#4
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,105 Likes: 1,564 Liked 1,789 Times in 408 Posts	Re: Guide Plate Preference? I prefer the GM plate on my big block Chevy engines, if I'm using a GM head. For aftermarket heads, I usually try to use plates that are adjustable. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

08-10-2014, 08:53 AM	#5
Bill Diehl Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 311 Likes: 2 Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Guide Plate Preference? The ones with stepped up tips.....you want the point of contact as close to the rocker as possible, because the pushrod moves to the side throughout its lift, (unless you have perfectly inline pushrods/lifters) and canted engines do not. The correct way is utilizing a 42/46 lifter location along with (on 351 fords) a 1.850 or larger lifter spread to minimize this. The 42/46 location works well on BBFords as well If one is to operate in extreme rpm range valvetrain geometry is the most important issue to get right. Notice that I said valvetrain geo, that means the whole system. If the rules do not allow the modifications that I stated than you revert back to my first sentence.....step the ends up as close as possible to the tips. The store bought Manely's as stated above are the best off the shelf piece for Fords as BBChevy already have rotated lifters Just one of the obstacles to overcome when building a 2hp per CI stocker...Wait...., the toothpaste is out of the tube now... Last edited by Bill Diehl; 08-10-2014 at 08:57 AM.