Originally Posted by corenele
would 3/8 studs and girdle be just as strong as 7/16 studs??
No, not if your running a girdle on both, but the girdle does help. Aside from helping to stablize the valve train, the stud girdle is a big safety feature. I've seen many engines that never had an issue until the stud girdle was pulled off and the rocker fell off due to broke stud. Without the girdle this woud be a catstrophic failure.
I have the 227's with the 60/40 valve spacing. Had to have the stud girdle for them, was able to run the standard rocker arms. However did have to use adjustable guide plates to get proper roller contact on the exhaust valve, primarily #1 & 8.... Coincidently these are the same valves on both heads when sitting on the bench?????? :wink: