Pushrod length
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Elder User
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From: Fort Rucker, AL
Pushrod length
The 390 came stock with non-adjustable rockers and a mild cam. If you go anywhere and try to buy pushrods, there are many different measurements. That's the one thing that really urks me about Ford, they can't give you a straight answer. I have 9.56" in there now. Is there any reason that I can't put some 9.62" in there with non-adjustable rockers?
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From: Fort Rucker, AL
Well, I read a Tech article and have a pretty good idea of setting pre-load and determining the right pushrod. The article said that FE's usually were supposed to have between .100 and .200 gap after you collapse the lifter. IMHO, if you run 9.56" with a stock cam and non-adjustable rockers then go to a bigger cam, say a Crane 343, then you'd have to run the same short pushrods. So you should be able to run longer pushrods with a stock cam. But don't get me wrong, you shouldn't just arbitrarily(sp) change the length of your pushrods without taking some measurements first.
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From: Fort Rucker, AL
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From: Charlotte
That is a nightmare. Best thing to do is to get a pushrod length checker. You can get them from Summit/Jegs or another speed shop.
If your cam has been out, their could be any size or combination, believe it or not. Don't ask me how I know.
9.62's should be ok, but best thing is to check first. If you have to pull it apart again due to a bent pushrod, then you will be kicking yourself.
If your cam has been out, their could be any size or combination, believe it or not. Don't ask me how I know.
9.62's should be ok, but best thing is to check first. If you have to pull it apart again due to a bent pushrod, then you will be kicking yourself.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Fort Rucker, AL
Originally Posted by scamardo
That is a nightmare. Best thing to do is to get a pushrod length checker. You can get them from Summit/Jegs or another speed shop.
If your cam has been out, their could be any size or combination, believe it or not. Don't ask me how I know.
9.62's should be ok, but best thing is to check first. If you have to pull it apart again due to a bent pushrod, then you will be kicking yourself.
If your cam has been out, their could be any size or combination, believe it or not. Don't ask me how I know.
9.62's should be ok, but best thing is to check first. If you have to pull it apart again due to a bent pushrod, then you will be kicking yourself.
Two questions: What is a pushrod length checker? and Have you ever heard of a lifter compressor tool? Steve Christ says to get one to acurately get your rocker clearance so you can get the right length pushrod.
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From: Eastern Pa
I would definately check your length as a number of things can affect it. I switched my son's to adjustable roller tip type rockers and the stock ones were way long. Got the Crane adjustable ki and believe it or not they did not have a checker kit with a cup end so they sent me the ball end ones and told me to just check tip to tip and give them the measurement. I did that and they made a set for me and when I got them they were way short. The guy subtracted the addtional length needed for the cup end instead of adding it, making for some very expensive do nothing pushroods. Then they figured that one of the in stock sizes they had would work. Of course this tied up the truck for 3 weeks trying to get it straightened out not to mention all the agg of on and off with the rockers. Hey if anyone needs a set of the strong Crane pushrods for adjustable rockers and you've taken about 3/8 of an inch off your heads I can hook you up.
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From: las vegas nv.
I just got done messing around with push rod fun...I had to cut about 3/8 of an inch off a stock ball and ball push rod to make a ball and cup rod that was not too long.Is this the 3/8 you guys are talking about?And trying to come up with a replacement push rod out of thin air in the rain and dark so I could still drive my truck is only fun to talk about...now,that i'm still not standing in the rain and it worked.
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From: Eastern Pa
No, the 3/8 was a mees up Crane did on a set of custom length ones that I ordered. When changing from a ball end to a cup end you would normally add 3/8 of an inch, the difference in length because of the different type end. They had a brain fart and subtracted the 3/8 instead.