Best Engine Push Rod Guide Plates of 2025
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Engine push rod guide plates are essential components in high-performance engines. They are designed to guide the push rods and ensure that they stay in the correct position during engine operation. Guide plates are typically made of high-quality materials such as steel or aluminum and are precision-cut to fit specific engine models. These plates are commonly used in overhead valve (OHV) engines and are especially important in engines that operate at high RPMs. Without guide plates, push rods can become misaligned, causing engine damage and reduced performance. Overall, engine push rod guide plates are a crucial part of any high-performance engine and are a must-have for serious engine builders.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 10 Engine Push Rod Guide Plates
COMP Cams 4808-8 Pushrod Guide Plate
The COMP Cams Guide Plate is designed for precision and reliability in your engine. Utilizing advanced stereo lithography techniques, it ensures a perfect fit, which is essential for optimal performance. The hardened black oxide finish adds durability, protecting against wear and tear. With carefully placed studs and rounded contact points, you can expect smoother operation and reduced friction in your engine. This product is available in various configurations to meet your specific engine requirements, providing versatility for your needs.
Speedmaster Pushrod Guide Plates PCE251.1005
The Speedmaster Pushrod Guide Plates are essential for your Small Block Chevy 350 engine. These adjustable, two-piece plates ensure your 5/16" pushrods stay aligned, preventing deflection even at high RPMs. This alignment is crucial for maintaining optimal engine performance and longevity. Made from durable 5140 Chromoly steel, they are also treated with nitriding and black oxide coating, offering excellent resistance to corrosion and wear. By using these guide plates, you can enhance the reliability of your engine, ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently for a longer time.
Comp Cams-4835 Adjustable Guide Plate Set
This flat adjustable guide plate set is designed for Small Block Chevy and Small Block Ford engines with 5/16 inches pushrods. Made of precision die-stamped and heat-treated steel material, it offers closer settings and improved durability for high-performance engine applications. With inward or outward adjustability, it provides maximum convenience to users.
Elgin GP101S Push Rod Guide Plate
The Elgin Push Rod Guide Plate is specifically designed for small block Chevy engines using 3/8" push rods. Its flat design ensures that the push rods are properly aligned, which is essential for optimal engine performance. Made in the USA, this product offers durability and reliability, giving you peace of mind during installation. With a box containing eight guide plates, you have enough parts for your project, minimizing downtime. By choosing this guide plate, you can enhance your engine's efficiency and longevity, making it a smart choice for any mechanic or car enthusiast.
COMP Cams Engine Push Rod Guide Plates
The COMP Cams Engine Push Rod Guide Plates are designed with stereo lithography techniques, ensuring ultimate accurate fit. They are hardened and black oxide finished, with exact stud placement and rounded contact points. Available in various configurations, these plates are ideal to fit your engine's needs.
Kawasaki Push Rod Guide Plate
The Kawasaki Push Rod Plate (Part # 13070-7001) is a genuine OEM part designed specifically for certain Kawasaki engine models. This ensures that you receive a high-quality component that fits perfectly and performs reliably. It’s important to check your engine's model, type, and serial number to confirm compatibility, as this part does not fit all specifications of the listed models. Being a genuine Kawasaki part, you can trust its durability and effectiveness, which can ultimately enhance the performance of your engine.
COMP Cams Guide Plate for Big Block Chevy
This engine push rod guide plate is designed using stereo lithography design techniques for accurate fit. It is hardened and black oxide finished, which makes it durable. The guide plate has exact stud placement and rounded contact points for maximum performance. It is available in different configurations to fit the engine's needs.
Flat Guide Plates & 7/16" Rocker Arm Studs for Chevy Small Block Engines
This product is a set of flat guide plates and 7/16" rocker arm studs for small block Chevy engines, including 262, 265, 267, 283, 302, 305, 307, 327, 350, and 400. The rocker studs are compatible with 7/16 top and bottom rocker arms, while guide plates are designed for 5/16" push rods. This product is suitable for engine push rod guide plates category.
TOM SBC Push Rod Guide Plates and Rocker Arm Studs Kit
The TOM SBC Guide Plates Kit is designed for various Small Block Chevy engines, including popular models like the 262 and 350. This kit includes eight flat guide plates that accommodate 5/16" diameter pushrods, ensuring smooth operation and optimal performance. With 16 sturdy rocker arm studs, which feature a screw-in design and shouldered heads, you can achieve a secure fit for your 3/8" rocker arms. Made from heat-treated steel, these components promise durability and reliability, giving you peace of mind during installation. Plus, the one-year warranty adds an extra layer of assurance for your purchase.
Comp Cams-4854 Flat 1 Piece Guide Plate Set for GM LS
This engine push rod guide plate set is vehicle specific and made in the United States. It has a package weight of 0.71 pounds and compact package dimensions of 9.51 L x 1.51 H x 5.76 W (inches).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What do pushrod guide plates do?
Pushrod guide plates keep the pushrods aligned with the lifter cups and rocker arms, preventing them from deflecting or walking sideways. These guide plates are hardened to ensure durability and prevent premature wear.
2. Do I need hardened pushrods with guide plates?
If you are using pushrod guide plates, it is recommended to use hardened pushrods as well. However, if you are using stock head holes, hardened pushrods may not be necessary.
3. Do pushrod engines make more torque?
Pushrod engines are known for producing a lot of torque at low RPMs. This is due to their airflow characteristics and the fact that pushrod engines typically have two valves per cylinder. However, pushrod engines may not rev as high compared to engines with more valves per cylinder.
4. Can you run roller rockers without guide plates?
It is recommended to use guide plates when running roller rockers. While using the stock type of rocker without guide plates is possible, guide plates help keep the valve clean of deposits by allowing constant rotation of the valve.
5. Why can't pushrod engines rev high?
Most pushrod engines have two valves per cylinder, which limits the amount of air intake at higher RPMs. Without sufficient air intake, the engine becomes starved for air and cannot rev as high. This design choice is mainly to keep the engine's design simpler and more cost-effective.
6. What does upgrading pushrods do?
Upgrading pushrods involves increasing their diameter and wall thickness, making them stronger, stiffer, and more stable. This upgrade improves the overall performance of the valvetrain and provides added reliability as a fail-safe component.
7. Does pushrod orientation matter?
While it is best practice to put the pushrods back in the same spots and directions they came out of, it is not critical. The orientation of pushrods is not a significant concern as long as they are installed correctly and function properly.
8. What does changing pushrod length do?
Changing the length of pushrods can impact power production at different RPM ranges. Longer pushrods can enhance power production at higher RPMs, while maintaining similar peak torque numbers. The effect of changing pushrod length is similar to adjusting valve lash on a conventional small-block engine with a solid roller or flat tappet setup.
During our engine push rod guide plates research, we found 24 engine push rod guide plates products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,698 customer reviews through our big data system to write the engine push rod guide plates list. We found that most customers choose engine push rod guide plates with an average price of $24.51.
The engine push rod guide plates are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of engine push rod guide plates, including Comp Cams, Speedmaster, Elgin, Kawasaki, Falcon Performance. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Robert Reyes is a dedicated writer from San Francisco with a bachelor of degree in mechanics and a bachelor of degree in marketing. He focuses on making some complicated topics simple and enjoys explaining complex and technical things in an easy-to-understand way.