push rods

Just wanted to poll everyone and see what they say for push rod lengths for a stock 351W motor. I know Allan said he used 8.187 which was what he removed. Just courious to see if Tim and Jr. Vic used the same length.

Need to order some for the new heads and would like to have them on hand but may have to measure them and then order the push rods after the heads are mounted.

thanks

well here's some info that I've found so far, jegs list it as 8.150, summit list it as 8.200 and Allens where 8.187

Chris,

The stock that came out were 8.187 but after measuring I went with 8.156 and still needed some .030 shims on all but 3 valves. Doesn't make sense going shorted and still having to shim but with the head change that what I came up with after measuring twice.

With that said, I don't think I've got them right as I have a very slight clatter that I don't like. Now that I've got a few hours on the engine once I get the time I'm going to check lifter preload again and this winter I may change to an adjustable valve train. Should have spent the money while I had it apart but atleast I'll have another project for the off season.

For a backyard mechanic like me some of these issues take a couple of tries to get it right.

racintj wrote: I second TRBenj, I just got finished building my 351 with "p" heads. I had them milled just to insure them to be straight and flat. I used stock Melling push rods (stock length) and just shimmed the rockers in need.

I wouldnt say my approach was the best one- but it works well enough and saved me a little bit of money. If I planned to stay with this set up permanantly (or had at least splurged on new pushrods), I would have gotten closer to the proper length like Alan did.

Chris, I believe you had some work done to your existing DO0E heads- what did that involve? Milling? Did you have them set up for stud mount rockers?

Well at one point or time I'm sure they where milled some the chambers are to small for them not to have been. I have stud mount roller rockers and I'm leaning towards 8.200 push rods, comps camps say 8.150 and the +.050 is what they say to use. My big question is if I realy even need to get to concerned about the length and if I do how to measure with out the rockers on to get them right.

I'm going to call my machinist and ask him pretty sure he said stock length .085" wall push rods and it seems that you guys are shimming almost all of them anyway so the 8.200 hi-tech comps cams rods are most likely what I will use.

well this is what i'l be doing I guess

comp cams artical

Good article Chris,
Since we're on the subject, any recommendations on what I should go with for rockers after the season? Is there anything that would work well with pedestal mount or do I need to bite the bullet and pull the heads and have studs installed.

Tim,

Are you saying that if I want adjustable I HAVE to go stud mount. There's no adjustables available for pedestal mount?

Did you go with 1.7 ratio on your motor?

81nautique wrote: Tim, Are you saying that if I want adjustable I HAVE to go stud mount. There's no adjustables available for pedestal mount? Did you go with 1.7 ratio on your motor?

Thats what I have found, when they say adjustable pedestal mount that usually means they included the shim kit I have not seen pedestal mount that adjust other than that.

I have 1.6 ratio pedastal mount scorpions on my 302, and was very happy with the quality. They are however huge and you must be very careful with valve covers, especially around the top center mounting embossment. I have also heard that most of the other rollers are quieter than the scorpions... this is not an area of concern for me typically.

   On the 408 I went with aftermarket heads that already have studs and guideplates installed and bought a new set of 1.6 scorpion stud mount adjustable rr that were about 200 shipped of ebay.

My engine should be at the speed shop for dyno testing early next week and I am having them measure for and install pushrods and will let the forum know what ones they use, however as mentioned earlier it is very engine specific.

-Joe.

Crane makes a conversion kit; the studs screw right into the 5/16 boss with no machining. It then becomes a fully adjustable stud. Guideplates come with the kit as well, so you can run adjustable roller rockers. I will try to add the link. If the link doesn't work, just look at Cranes site under Ford products. Hope this helps.

http://www.cranecams.com/?show=browseParts&lvl=2&prt=24&action=partSpec&partNumber=36656-16

81nautique wrote: conversion kit Thanks for the link , I'll have to do a little more research before deciding what to do.

well unless your going to replace your cam with a roller cam then don't waiste your money read the short description states for roller cam's only.