I'm just replacing lifters in my 302, due to what sounds like a lifter failing, tap, tap, tap, tap... and the intake gaskets look fairly well since they have only been on there for 6K miles. Is it worthwhile to not remove them from the lower intake and just replace the valve cover gaskets or should I replace all the intake gaskets for the intake manifold?

Also, since I will have the valve covers off, can I replace the stock rockers with 1.7's without any clearance problem's in the valve covers? The valve cover's have the baffles inside of them.

Truck is in signature. Motor in question is all stock. Replacing exhaust manifolds with JBA SS shorties.

 

Replace the intake gasket , once there torqued they wont be any good , sense you are doing the lifters and rockers i would replace the push rods to , you could have some clearance problems on the covers , you can grind some off the baffles if needed or put taller covers on .....

 

Thanks Lew for the quick response. Aftre I wrote that, I second thought it and decided it was a Best Bet to replace all of them. The pushrods are new. Only 6k miles. The tips look really good. I hadn't planned on replacing them. They are Comp Cams Hi-Energy pushrods.

Would going with 1.6 rockers be a better route?

 

I would go with the 1.7 rockers , what cam do you have ? flat or roller , some of the late 92-93 had the small roller cams , but the cam needs all the help it can get...

 

roller cam. I have some blow-by, but only during hard acceleration. I was worried that when removing some of the baffle area, it may make it more pronounced. I did want to go with the 1.7's. I will just have to order them tomorrow. I got everthing today for the truck, but the weather is gonna be crap the next several days and I have to work. Hopefully I will get it all done monday and tuesday.

Lew, what brand of rockers would be good to go with and if I did want to do different valve covers, can you specify a brand that won't interfere with the PCV valve and the height of the plenum area.

Once again, I really appreciate your help!

 

I like the scorpion RR , i used the summit welded covers with the bolts that go though the top of the cover , there tall , but they don't have any holes so you need to drill the oil fill and pcv where you want , so most aftermarket covers should clear the plenum....