Longer pushrods, or can I use lash caps?

Rick Book: Scott, standard length (hardened) pushrods were used with this combo using the stock heads (1990 5.0), Windosr Jr. heads and the AFR 185's. I used aftermarket rockers (all 1.6). There were no "valve train related" problems - ever.

 

Which time? Ha! The last time (when it was at the shop I told you about), a galley (freeze) plug had blown out and I had little to no oil pressure. The time before was when the Aluminum heads corroded enough to cause a blow-by on the gasket.

I still dunno what to say, bro. Like somebody else mentioned, I'll give you back what you paid for the stuff. lol

It has to be something with your heads/valves/angle of dangle/skew of screw/mass of the a$$, or something else besides the cam and lifters. What that something else is, intrigues me (but not as much as it frustrates you).

Sorry I don't have any more info to offer.

 

No, it is not "frustrating" me. It is just another piece of a puzzle that I am having a blast trying to solve. The more little obstacles I encounter in this motor, the more exciting it will be when I first hear it light up, and the more fun it will be to drive after it is all over...

 

Hey Scooper, Are your heads pedistal style rockers? Ricks heads that he used with that cam (windsor jr. and AFR) are stud style rockers. A different size base circle on intake vs. exhaust would not show up as an excessive clearance problem with stud mount rockers. I personnaly have NEVER seen a pedistal rocker system that used the stock length pushrods after the addition of an aftermarket performance cam. The base circles and lift/duration will be different, so the rocker wear pattern on the vavle tip will also be different with the same length pushrod used for a stock cam. It is also very common to use different length pushrods to get the wear pattern correct with an aftermarket cam. I would get or make a pushrod length checker and verify the wear pattern on the valve tip and lifter preload then order the correct length pushrods. Its not uncommon to have 2 different lengths on a performance cam.

To answer your original question. Yes, you can use lash caps to make minor length adjustments to the valves. This is provided you have enough clearance that the lash cap does NOT touch the retainer or valve locks. I have only done this to correct geometry problems when it was close and all elxe checked out. Hope this helps. Ben

 

I think you're on to something.

 

Not sure what this is considered. You slip the pedestal between the rocker and head and bolt down through the middle of it.

 

Bingo, I think we have a winner! Scott those are Non-Adjustable, you will have to get your valves adjusted with a lash cap, adjustable pushrod, the earlier pedalstals could be shortened (Crane did make shims if the preload is tomuch) to make sure you get the right preload on the lifter. Not sure about the Hyd Roller Lifter preload measurement, but I'm sure someone else could help with that.

 

So, lash caps are cool for this problem? Or would pushrods be the better fix? Doesn't matter to me either way, both are relatively cheap.

 

I should add that you need to keep the valve train geometry correct and pushrods are probably the only way.

 

I would get pushrods, less parts to come loose as opposed to lash caps

 

The caps coming loose was my worry also.

Thanks for all the help guys. This has been very informative and an interesting speedbump in this build...

So now I am going out to weld some extra material in the ends of 8 of my pushrods then drill a hole through the middle so the oil can get through. Ought to be back on the road in no time...













just kidding

 

well, your dad does have a lathe, doesn't he?












:evilsmile

 

Now my problem is that my current rods are 6.250, and I have .060 play, so I need 6.310. Next size bigger is 6.350 and I will have to shim up my rockers the extra .040.

$15 EACH

 

Almost ready to slap on the 1.6 stamped rockers for this kind of money...

Anyone have any other suggestions?

How much max could I pick up by milling the heads down?

 

Check Your Pushrods From Orginal Motor Not Roller They Should Be Close To Lenght