Determining pushrod length

joea · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 11:31 AM

I need to buy pushrods for my 428SCJ build. How do I determine what length I need? Also any recommendations on which lifters and rods to use?

ed cougar · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 12:27 PM

Thats a hard question, pushrod length depends on several things: rocker arm type, cam lobe, deck height, how much the head was milled, rocker stand height. Anyhow you use an adjustable pushrod (tool) and cycle the engine slowly and adjust to get the best geometry, I let my engine builder figure all that out and he showed me things like scrub angle that I would have never looked at. I don't know much about what lifters work the best, but I used solids because my freind's hydraulic liftered cj spit one out of it's bore at high RPM and the engine lost oil pressure- thats one thing you don't have to worry about with solids because the lifter galleys are plugged. I'm useing Le-Mans rods with ARP bolts, had to grind little notches in the block for bolt head clearance. The rods are heavier so the motor isn't quite as fast but more durable. There are some realy smart FE guys out there and I'm sure you'll get some better advise than i can give you, good luck see ya.

BB427 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 12:51 PM

If you have a pushrod you can sacrifice,cut it and tap it on the inside and thread the two halves together with an all thread and two jam nuts, you now have a tool to use. You want the roller of the rocker arm in the center of the valve tip @ 1/2 lift. Measure the overall length and see if any manufacturer makes this length. If you need to order custom length Manton makes a nice custom pushrod.

ed cougar · #4 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 02:53 PM

Very nicely put BB427. Excellent tip too. Smith Bros. out of Oregon, I beleive, is also a good source for custom pushrods they are very fast usually next day if you pay the shipping.

RICK LAKE · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 09:42 PM

JoeA Joe is the rocker setup ball to ball or ball to cup?? Stock rockers or adjustable rockers. Factory rockers or after market like Erson, Dove, POP, or Shelby?? Which size stands, low riser, medium riser?? I have standard pushrods with hydro lifters and non adjustable rockers. Need some more answers? Rick Lake

joea · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 10:11 PM

I'm going to run Ersons rockers on Edelbrock Medium Riser Heads. Using Hyraulic lifters.

Steve Dickey · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 01:31 PM

Joe,
Go to page 306 of Comp Cams on line catalog www.compcams.com. You will find a tutorial to determine pushrod length. I second the Smith Bro's recomendation. Good luck, Steve



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