head bolts and pushrods for vortec heads - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crm318 · 11-03-2006, 09:45 PM

i am building a vortec headed 350 and i was wondering what head bolts an pushrods i should use. will regular pushrods and headbolts that fit a 87-95 tbi motors work? (its going on a 89 350)

seanu · 11-03-2006, 10:25 PM

When I built my 355, with Vortec heads. I used a set of stock length pushrods used on any standard sbc, I did get hardend ones though.

I also used standard head bolts...the only difference in the vortec heads really, is the internal design of the head..and you will have to use self alinging rockers.

Blazer1970 · 11-04-2006, 09:01 AM

The head bolts and push rods are the same as any other SBC. You can use your old ones if they are in good condition.

junkyardjohn · 11-04-2006, 09:17 AM

ALOT OF PEOPLE CLAIM YOU CAN'T OR SHOULDN'T REUSE HEADBOLTS. I'VE DONE IT DOZENS OF TIMES ON BOTH SMALL & BIG BLOCKS WITH NO FALURE. JUST WIRE WHEEL THE BOLT THREADS GOOD & RUN A TAP THRU THE THREADED HOLES TO CLEAN THEM OUT GOOD. INSPECT YOUR PUSHRODS REAL WELL. IF THEY ARE NOT BENT, & THE ENDS LOOK GOOD.... THEY ARE O-K TO REUSE TOO, BUT IF YOU USE GUIDE PLATES THEY SHOULD BE HARDENED.

JOHN

**GMCPaul** · 11-05-2006, 07:39 AM

The head bolts will work fine and so will the pushrods if you be sure to use self-aligning rockers though as standard rockers will dance sideways on ya and pushrod will end up bent, if you don't use self-aligning rockers then you will need to have heads drilled for guide plates and use harded pushrods.
I use the pro-form self-aligning roller rockers from Summit, great price coupled with a great performing rocker on needle bearings, you can buy the GM self-aligning rockers that are stamped steel and look like stock rockers but the price is esstentially the same as roller rockers so in my book rollers are the way to go.
GMCPaul

11-03-2006, 09:45 PM	#1
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	head bolts and pushrods for vortec heads i am building a vortec headed 350 and i was wondering what head bolts an pushrods i should use. will regular pushrods and headbolts that fit a 87-95 tbi motors work? (its going on a 89 350) __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

11-03-2006, 10:25 PM	#2
seanu Too many projects!!! Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 508	Re: head bolts and pushrods for vortec heads When I built my 355, with Vortec heads. I used a set of stock length pushrods used on any standard sbc, I did get hardend ones though. I also used standard head bolts...the only difference in the vortec heads really, is the internal design of the head..and you will have to use self alinging rockers. __________________ Sean 1995 Buick Roadmaster Sedan 2004 Chevy Trailblazer 5.3L V8 1963 Chevy Biscayne 4D Sedan 1971 Chevy C10 (now have 70 cab & frame) 1968 Chevy C10 (parts for the 70) 1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (Chevy 355 motor) 1937 Pontiac 8 4D Touring Sedan (in pieces) Jacksonville, Florida

11-04-2006, 09:01 AM	#3
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,510	Re: head bolts and pushrods for vortec heads The head bolts and push rods are the same as any other SBC. You can use your old ones if they are in good condition. __________________ Tim

11-04-2006, 09:17 AM	#4
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	Re: head bolts and pushrods for vortec heads ALOT OF PEOPLE CLAIM YOU CAN'T OR SHOULDN'T REUSE HEADBOLTS. I'VE DONE IT DOZENS OF TIMES ON BOTH SMALL & BIG BLOCKS WITH NO FALURE. JUST WIRE WHEEL THE BOLT THREADS GOOD & RUN A TAP THRU THE THREADED HOLES TO CLEAN THEM OUT GOOD. INSPECT YOUR PUSHRODS REAL WELL. IF THEY ARE NOT BENT, & THE ENDS LOOK GOOD.... THEY ARE O-K TO REUSE TOO, BUT IF YOU USE GUIDE PLATES THEY SHOULD BE HARDENED. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

11-05-2006, 07:39 AM	#5
GMCPaul Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Rockville,In. USA Posts: 3,719	Re: head bolts and pushrods for vortec heads The head bolts will work fine and so will the pushrods if you be sure to use self-aligning rockers though as standard rockers will dance sideways on ya and pushrod will end up bent, if you don't use self-aligning rockers then you will need to have heads drilled for guide plates and use harded pushrods. I use the pro-form self-aligning roller rockers from Summit, great price coupled with a great performing rocker on needle bearings, you can buy the GM self-aligning rockers that are stamped steel and look like stock rockers but the price is esstentially the same as roller rockers so in my book rollers are the way to go. GMCPaul __________________ Secure Online Catalog for-GMCPauls Truck Parts Email- GMCPAULS@GMAIL.COM



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