I'm doing a 95" build and wondering if I can use stock pushrods with a .030" head gasket , or if I'll have to go with adjustable push rods. I'm using Andrews 26s.

 

Just did same on an '07 96" to 103"(.030 Cometic MLS) with no problems. The Woods 6 that I run hase the same base circle as stock. Check to see if the 26 is the same and you should be good to go. I personally don't like the additional variables that are introduced when adjustables are used. They are a PIA.

 

You will need the adjustable push rods,.030 is a lot and the job of the pushrod is to center the plunger in the hydraulic lifter and with the added .030 you will not be centered!

 

It's more like -.015 off the thickness , my stock gaskets measured .047, mine are stayin in with the .030HG and 37's.

 

Huh ?

Stock head gaskets are anywhere from .045 to .055 or so depending on the engine. You at the most would be changing the position of the plunger in the in the lifter bore by .025 at the most and most likely a lot less.. Lifters traditionally have about .200 of travel and you want to start off in the middle of the travel but if you are .025 up or down, it most likely is not going to make much of a difference. As far as the need for being centered, I have adjusted up and down almost by .050 to eliminate lifter/valve noise. Lifters do have "sweet spots" at times that are quieter. As long as you haven't also shaved the heads, you will be fine.

 

i would adjustable even with stock gaskets,the solid pushrods are made for a cost factor from the factory,no way lifters set as good as with adjustables

 

IIRC, the Andrews base circle is 1.240" and the stock base circle is 1.300". So using stock geometry as the baseline, the thinner head gasket places the pushrod approximately .015" below the center of the lifter travel. The Andrews base circle being .060" smaller in diameter places the pushrod approximately .030" above the center of lifter travel (half the diameter).

So the net effect of the thinner head gasket and smaller cam base circle places the pushrod .015" above the center of the pushrod travel. So, no problem with fitment but the valve train might be a little noisy at a certain rpm range.

 

That was a question I had. I have heard that stock 96" gaskets (2009) are either .045 or .052 What are they ??

 

I agree with you but, stock pushrods could be used. Adjustables give you the opportunity to find the sweet spot and sometimes adjust out a little valve train noise. I always put in adjustables if doing cams.

 

For your application I see no problem using the stock pushrods, believe it or not I did a 95 build last spring(Andrews 26) that I surfaced 30 thousands off the surface and used the cometic 30. I mock up assembled with dry lifters first so I could physically push down on the rocker arm to see if I had travel, tried to set up a dial indicator but the readings were inconsistent, still had around 50 thousands with the rear exhaust being a bit less than the other three. Valvetrain was VERY quiet.