I am putting together a 390 (previously 352) for my daughter. Steve Christ's book mentions that "adjustable rockers are often used on hydraulic-lifter engines because their higher ratio gives a slight incraese in valve lift." I have a set of adjustable rockers I would like to use, but I am unsure what pushrods will work with my hydraulic lifters. Are the "cup" type rods used on solid lifters compatible? If not, what do I need to get in order to use my adjustable rockers with hydraulic lifters and cam?

I apprecaite any advice on this topic. Thank you.

 

I have the same book (Big block Fords) Without pulling it from the shelf no you need pushrods with the ball ends. I'm pulling my intake today to replace a gasket leak and will look at my rods. I installed Wolverine adjustable rockers in it almost ten years ago. This is the first trouble I have had. RKD.

 

I am not quite sure I understand what you meant.

The adjustable rockers have a "ball" type adjusting nut that has to fit into a "cup" type pushrod. What I am trying to learn is whether the "cup" type solid lifter pushrods will work with my hydraulic lifters/cam. Or if not, what type of pushrods do I need?

I am not familiar with the Wolverine rockers. Mine are stock Ford adjustable rockers. I'd be curious what you find when you look into yours. Thanks.

 

Just finished removing intake and Heads. You are correct the pushrods are ball at the lifter and cuped at the rocker. The slight change in the rocker ratio was a plus in my setup. I just liked being able to adjust the lifters before firing up from a big rebuild as my previous fe's all went south with bent pushrods. Good luck. RKD.

 

Does anyone have a more detailed answer than I already got? I would like to know what length rods will work and hopefully a manufacturer or source for them.

To restate the issue, I want to use a stock "adjustable" rocker assembly with my hydraulic lifters and cam. Need to know which pushrods are compatible for this set-up. They must be "cup and ball" type rods. Thanks.

 

Look in the thread "adjusting valves" a few threads down. Click on the link in post #3, read the Valve Clearance and Adjustment section. You have to measure to know what pushrod length is correct for your setup. Besides the stock lengths, lots of people make custom pushrods of any length.

 

Search Results for pushrod checker - SummitRacing.com

 

Was it the "FEs that bend pushrods" article you were refering to? Thanks it was informative.

 

Great tip! I need to get that tool.

I was just figuring that this combination must have been tried thousands of times, so unless there are lots of different dimensions for "stock" hydralic lifters, the rod length should always be the same...at least that's what I would think. Thanks.

 

sure, maybe you are right... maybe there is a perfect sized pushrod available off the shelf for the original everything.
But you will never *know* exactly what you need unless you measure it and make 100% certain that it is correct through the whole travel.

ohhh and that was a generic link I sent, most of those are way too small and meant for small block engines. measure the existing pushrod and figure what range you'll need.

good luck!
Drew

 

I apoligize if I hijack the thread.

I just got my car on the road, it has a rebuilt 390. the one thing I didn't check was the pushrod length and now I think they maybe too short. Engine runs great, but once upto operating temp the rockers are ticking. I plan on pulling tha valve covers to check and see whats going on, but how do I know if the pushrods are too short? I am going to purchase the tool to measure them correctly. Currently the pushrods are the stock length 9.62, they are new like everything else. I was just wondering if when I pull the valve cover it will be easy to see if the rods are short.
Jason

 

If they are ticking when they get hot, wouldn't it be more likely that they are too long and the valves are being held slightly open?

Don't know, I'm just throwing that out there.

of course it would be helpful to know a lil more about your engine (type of rockers, type of lifters, etc).

 

Here's the link to the article I was referring to above. Look at the Valve Clearance and Adjustment section for instructions. FE's That Bend Push-rods, A Dirty little Secret .: Articles

 

I forgot to add that it has hydraulic lifters, not adjustable rockers. The cam has .510 lift and I did restrict the oil to the rocker assemblies. If ny additional info is needed, I will be provide anything I can.

Jason

 

just read the link.