Roller Rockers on Iron Heads? Or do I just swap on aluminum heads?
 

I had a quick question:

I was looking into buying 3/8" SA 1.6RRs for my '94 Impala motor, but I heard that iron heads have pressed in rocker studs, while the F-Body aluminum heads have screw-in studs. Is this true? If so, would it be a problem to put roller rockers on those iron heads? Or would it just be easier to swap over the Camaro aluminum heads to the Impala's short block and roller rockers to those?

FWIW, I hear that the aluminum heads are much lighter than the iron heads, but that means more work and stress if heads need to be swapped. Plus, my stock Z28 motor is burning/leaking oil from almost everywhere, so I'm not sure how reliable those heads will be :(. Here's a video of the car with its stock engine:
http://www.youtube.com

The Impala heads are great, but they're iron, and may be harder to put roller rockers on. What do you guys think?

Iron heads do use the press-in studs. I like the aluminum heads - better heat dissipation, screw-in rocker studs, lighter weight. But you can put 1.6s on the iron heads just fine.

Thank you Joe! I appreciate the input. I was thrown off guard when I noticed that iron heads and aluminum heads had yet another difference :rolleyes:. Glad to know that I can use RRs on either.

Also, sorry forgot to mention, the rockers I was looking to get are either Crane Golds (10758-16), Pro Mags (1318-16), or Ultra Pro Mags (1618-16). All three are highly rated and should be 3/8" SA.

Edit: According to the Comp website, the Ultra Pro Mags are actually a "1.52" ratio, instead of the 1.6 ratio that Summit and most sites claim for this model :-?. Strange. That alone might lead me to Crane Golds.

Thanks again guys! :)

You can only buy pro mags used. Ultra's come in every flavor under the rainbow, 1.6, 1.52, 3/8", 7/16", sa, nsa, etc etc

I'm not sure if it's true but I have heard from the local shop that cast LT1 heads flow a hair better than aluminum heads in stock form. It is not significant enough to compensate for the difference in weight or the weaknesses in the stud areas though.

Its true but its not worth it.