2 size push rods
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2025
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2 size push rods
Changing head gaskets on my 360. I noticed half of the push rods are slightly larger than the others. I didn't notice where the longer ones were. should I use the longer for the exhaust valves or the intake?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
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From: San Jose, CA
Interested to hear the answer as well tomhinttetr. Don't know enough about them to say which goes to which, or if that's standard for all FE's or not.
I'm sure someone will have a quick answer for you though. Seems like a basic question for an FE expert. Unless it's all due to some after-the-fact machining techniques!
Good luck.
Paul
I'm sure someone will have a quick answer for you though. Seems like a basic question for an FE expert. Unless it's all due to some after-the-fact machining techniques!
Good luck.
Paul
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
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I can't say with 100% certainty, but I've never seen different lengths on any V8 engine and definitely not an FE. and FT maybe, but I still doubt it.
Sounds like someone did something dumb. maybe trying to take a shortcut to quiet down some top end noise or something.
Assuming you have stock nonadjustable rockers your best bet is to take a checker and see where your preload is. Smith Bros can make you whatever you need at a reasonable price if a set of stock ones doesn't do it. adjustable rockers would be another more expensive option.
Sounds like someone did something dumb. maybe trying to take a shortcut to quiet down some top end noise or something.
Assuming you have stock nonadjustable rockers your best bet is to take a checker and see where your preload is. Smith Bros can make you whatever you need at a reasonable price if a set of stock ones doesn't do it. adjustable rockers would be another more expensive option.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
Likes: 1,175
From: San Jose, CA
Good to know. And a pushrod length checker is still reasonably inexpensive (compared to other engine tools) and new pushrods are still reasonably inexpensive (compared to some other parts!) too.
So if they're not supposed to be diffferent lengths, then you've got some checking to do to see what was done.
You may never know why, but you can find out if it's needed to stay that way.
Paul
So if they're not supposed to be diffferent lengths, then you've got some checking to do to see what was done.
You may never know why, but you can find out if it's needed to stay that way.
Paul
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,892
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Just because something runs doesn't mean it's not a problem that will show later.
There is no logic in running longer pushrods on the exhaust. unless your engine has been rebuilt correctly with hard seats installed, which your pushrods would indicate it hasn't, your intake valves should tolerate longer pushrods better. as the exhaust valves suck into the head it raises the stem height and increases the preload.
Checking preload is the only true way to know what you need. but if you want to take shortcuts, at least put a straight edge across the stems and see which ones set the highest.
There is no logic in running longer pushrods on the exhaust. unless your engine has been rebuilt correctly with hard seats installed, which your pushrods would indicate it hasn't, your intake valves should tolerate longer pushrods better. as the exhaust valves suck into the head it raises the stem height and increases the preload.
Checking preload is the only true way to know what you need. but if you want to take shortcuts, at least put a straight edge across the stems and see which ones set the highest.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,635
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From: Albuquerque
Sometimes people will use slightly longer/shorter pushrods to get the right preload. Not sure if yours are adjustable or not.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Central Florida
Removing material from the block (decking) and from the heads (surfacing) could require shorter pushrods but that need in an engine with hydraulic lifters and non-adjustable rockers would be quite small or zero. Extra thick head gaskets might have the opposite effect. In either case pushrods would need to all be the same.
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How much difference in the length. The parts books show stock and .060 longer and .060 shorter. Like Flowney said one of the heads could have been decked. These engines were bad about burning valves, after the unleaded gas showed up.
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