Cascade Crew

fiveoformula · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 11:41 am Post subject: Checking pushrod length

Well with about 1500 miles on the engine with the new cam and heads I broke a rocker stud and bent a pushrod on the #7 cyl. I got another stud and pushrod back on there and its running again but I've been reading up and found out how critical pushrod length is.... Since I never checked mine, I wanted to order a checker but I don't know what size to get (diameter, and length wise). Does anyone know what size the stock ones are?

Twilightoptics · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 12:21 pm Post subject:

Comp Pro Magnum Pushrods are your friend.

What rockers are you running?

Best way to check is to remove the rockers for a cylinder (int and exh). Use a sharpy and coat the valve stem with ink.

Let dry.

Reinstall rockers and set your lash. Turn the engine over two revolutions. Remove the rockers and look where the contact patch is. Length is most important when you have roller tip rockers. The patch should be dead center on the valve stem. If it's not, you need to buy an adjustable pushrod length checker from Comp or the likes and do the whole thing over, adjusting the pushrod in set incriments that you can purchase the pushrods in, until your contact patch is tits. Yes you have to do it to both rockers, because with different lifts, you'll get slightly different readings. I had one with such a lift discrepency that I used 8 pushrods for intake and a different length all together for the exhaust. That was a pretty weird cam though and usually you don't have to do that. Just find the length that works best for both valves.

I have one for non roller SBC, Mike might have one for a Roller SBC.

fiveoformula · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 12:41 pm Post subject:

Cool, sounds pretty straight forward, The rockers I have now are the stocker stamped steel ones that came on the heads, pushrods are the stockers to the L03.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:20 pm Post subject:

You did heads and cam and used the stock rockers?

That's another problem you've got.

If you didn't get extended slot rockers, their binding when they get close to full lift. Which will also bend pushrods.

Time for a set of Comp Pro Magnum full rollers bud.

fiveoformula · Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 10:51 am Post subject:

The slot were it pivots on the stud? Hmm didn't know that.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 11:17 am Post subject:

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 11:28 am Post subject:

fiveoformula · Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:48 pm Post subject:

Would you mind lending it to me Mike? Very Happy

That'd give me a chance to pick up those taillights too if you still have them

IROCDave · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:12 am Post subject:

I have a couple Comp pushrod checkers you can use, but Im not right next door to you.

IIRC, you have to purchase the pushrods from the manufacture of the checking tool. Each manufacture has a different design (so they claim) of the ends of the pushrods. Diameter, length of the taper etc. Keep that in mind when your checking the length.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:24 am Post subject:

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:50 am Post subject:

fiveoformula · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 3:25 pm Post subject:

That would be awesome if they were right! lol I'll give you a call, I may be able to come out this weekend if that works with you.

fiveoformula · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 3:39 pm Post subject:

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 4:29 pm Post subject:

Seen some reliable aluminum sets. The roller tip only rockers are a waste of money.

fiveoformula · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject:

Like the jegs or summit aluminum ones? There a heck of a deal compared to some out there. Does it matter what size "slot" I get? or is anything better than the stock ones?

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 6:55 pm Post subject:

If you get stamped steel ball pivot rockers you need the "long slot" type.

Any full roller should be okay.

Keep in mine, some of the aluminum rollers wont clear larger valve springs if you ever change the heads to something with the fatter spring. The Pro Magnums clear.

Set of Jegs should be alright. I thought Dewey has a cheaper set of aluminums on.

chevymad · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:17 pm Post subject:

I'm running the Jegs aluminum on the truck. They seem to be a very nice piece.

fiveoformula · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:05 pm Post subject:

Do you guys know how exactly are the pushrod checkers different for roller lifters?

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:50 pm Post subject:

Roller motors have shorter pushrods.

fiveoformula · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:23 pm Post subject:

Ok cause looking at jegs and they didn't list them as "roller" or "flat tappet". How long are the stock ones?