Push rod length

Measure the total length of the pushrod to get your number. Most pushrod manufacturers carry in stock the lengths in .050 increments or you can custom order to your length.(takes 4 to 6 weeks to get) Yes there will be a difference in lengths on each cam config.

[This message has been edited by creecy351 (edited 11-04-2003).]

The shop that I bought my cam and roller rockers from said he would loan me an adjustable push rod to determine the correct length for my engine and order them for me.

Some of the cam grinders make a cheap pushrod length-selector tool for setting up the geometry of a modified valvetrain. To use it, you need the lifters you'll be using (the lengths vary considerably from mfgr to mfgr), the finished heads (e.g- milled or squared) bolted onto a finished or squared block with a compressed gasket and the pivot studs and rocker arms you'll be using. Full directions for using the tool from Crane Cams in FL are included (this's the only one I 've used). Note that adjustable valvetrains require pushrod guideplates, and these can either be the adapter types with Kevlar bushings sold by Crane, or tool-steel sold by SVO-Ford & others. These last will require hardened steel pushrods, or the hardened guide-plates will saw through mild-steel pushrods in a very few miles. Finally, note that Boss 351 pushrods are a little longer than std hydrauli-lifter pushrods as well as being hardened for guide plates. Once you figure what pushrod lengths you need, and whether they will be hardened or plain steel, you can go to a variety of sources for custom lengths. Be aware that some custom pushrod makers will send you two-piece pushrods that YOU must cut to exact size and press together. These are cheaper but may not wind up being what you really need unless you are set up to measure & cut precisely, and are less durable than full welded units. I've had such pushrods bend at the press-joint after running in an engine awhile.