Does this look right. . ?

Originally Posted by WckDsTnG

Thanks for the info guys. I guess iam gonna have to run with the Isky plates. .

Those are universal plates, not adjustable plates. There is no adjustment to them. They sit based on where the centerline of the rocker stud ends up. The slider in teh center just allows for installation on any stud girth.

They do have wide rod holes. Not really sue that is a good thing either. Could be enough slop to get the roller tip traveling all over the place.

I would not use them.

What is the deal with the rocker stud installation. Do it yourself? Or done at a shop? Are you sure you checked the water jacket allighment with the heads? It is safe to take the heads off and re-use the head gaskets if the engine has not been started yet.

The water jacket thing can be a real problem if it was not addressed. It maybe the other way around though... a 289 block with 302 heads, but I can't really remember????

I purchased the heads this way. I measured the distance on the studs and they all measure the same. Iam using the same H.G i used before on another motor with same combo but with stock rockers and all.

Originally Posted by Mikes66

Those are universal plates, not adjustable plates. There is no adjustment to them. They sit based on where the centerline of the rocker stud ends up. The slider in the center just allows for installation on any stud girth.

They do have wide rod holes. Not really sue that is a good thing either. Could be enough slop to get the roller tip traveling all over the place.

I've used the Iskys before on the ProComps and they are indeed adjustable. The total amount of adjustment depends on the diameter of the pushrod holes. If the pushrod hole allows, you can move the the pushrods either closer together or farther apart. You do not want the pushrod to end up rubbing on the side of the hole in the head.

The pushrod slot diameter is set up for a Chevy 5/16" wide pushrod, which is the same diameter as a stock Ford. Ford requires a deeper slot. Supposedly Isky makes up a few hundred Ford sets at a time with the deepened slot. I can not confirm this though.

I deepened the slot on the mill. Then I installed them on the engine and adjusted for the best rocker arm angle on the valves. Finally I tacked the 2 halves in place, after clamping the 2 halves together and taking them to the work bench. Do not expect the rocker arm studs to maintain the distance on their own.

If there is no other way for the OP to get the geometry right, this is an acceptable option. As mentioned by another poster, the old fashioned way was to cut a standard guide plate in half and then weld it back together at the new distance.

I guess I looked at them backwards. I thought the elongated slots were for the push rods.....

The photo fooled me....

Originally Posted by Mikes66

I guess I looked at them backwards. I thought the elongated slots were for the push rods.....

The photo fooled me....

Yeah, the guideplate in the picture is lacking in direction.

I can see how it could fool anybody, Mike.

The valves in those heads are for rail rockers. You are going to have problems with them unless you change to the shorter stem valves.
There is enough difference to throw the geometry off. There are roller rocker for rail rockers but the ones you have are not made for the rail rockers. Guide plates will help as long as you are using hardened pushrods but those long valve stems are going to be a pain to find a pushrod to get the correct geometry.