351W - pushrod length?

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Jun 22, 2003 | 03:19 PM

HangGlider

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351W - pushrod length?

I'm starting to assemble my 351W and I have a question about figuring out pushrod length.

I'm putting Edelbrock 60329 Aluminum heads on this beast, along with FMS roller rocker arms and an Edelbrock 2182 cam.

I picked up a Comp Cam pushrod length checker - but I'm a newbie at this stuff - and there were no instructions.

I put a lifter into the block, mounted a rocker arm and adjusted the rocker arm length checker so there was zero valve lash on the flat part of the cam. Then I turned the engine over by hand and adjusted the pushrod tool (and the rocker arm) to a geometry that kept the rocker arm roller moving back and forth across the center of the valve stem during an entire engine cycle.

So, my question is - without having oil in the lifter, am I wasting my time? Won't I get a pushrod length measurement that's too long? Can I just squirt some oil into the lifter to keep it 'pumped up'?

What's the right way to make this measurement?

-HangGlider

Jun 23, 2003 | 09:49 AM

HangGlider

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351W - pushrod length?

The fine folks at Competition Cams set me straight on this procedure. Seems as though I need to buy a single mechanical lifter and use it to determine pushrod length. Apparently the (non-stock) valve spring is what's causing my Hyd. lifter to collapse as I rotate the engine. Now, if I can just find some place to buy ONE mechanical lifter (not a whole set!).

HangGlider

Jun 23, 2003 | 09:55 AM

SDElwood

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From: Savannah, GA

351W - pushrod length?

NAPA, believe it or not, will sell them individually. I know this because I have gone in to buy lifters before and been asked, "How many?" To which I replied, "You mean there are people that just buy ONE?" "You'd be surprised," they said.

I mean. You go through all the trouble of tearing the engine down far enough to get to the lifters and then just replace ONE lifter? I just don't get it! But to answer your question, you can go to NAPA and get what you need.

Jun 23, 2003 | 02:03 PM

HangGlider

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351W - pushrod length?

Thanks BroncoGuy84! I'll give 'em a call. I've also just learned that I can buy a hyd. lifter and 'pump it up' to accomplish the same thing. I'm headed out to one of the local performance engine shops in a couple of hours to pick the owner's brains - and probably buy 1 hyd. lifter ;-)

HangGlider

Jun 23, 2003 | 03:57 PM

MuchToMyDelight

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From: Thomson, GA

351W - pushrod length?

also don't forget to compensate for the oil hole in the push rod. I think that it accounts for like .025" off of the top. Correct me if I am wrong.

Jun 23, 2003 | 11:56 PM

HangGlider

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351W - pushrod length?

That's the nice thing about the Comp Cams pushrod length checker - it takes that (oil hole) into account. It's kinda like a micrometer - each turn is 0.050" in length. So, you just count the number of turns you've lengthened it from the standard length, multiply by 0.050" and add that to the 'base' length of that particular length checker.

FWIW, mine turned out to be 8.700" + 0.150" = 8.850"

HangGlider