do i reuse my push rods?

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Nov 15, 2018 | 10:36 PM

allthefineprint@gmail.com

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Joined: Aug 2018

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From: Michigan

do i reuse my push rods?

i'm going to do an entire camchest rebuild with my cams this winter - i'm also going to do 100ci jugs and roller rockers. as i'm going to have the top end open, is it still in my best interest to use new adjustable pushrods, or can i reuse the stock rods from the 88 twin cam.

thanks.

Nov 15, 2018 | 10:45 PM

Scarydog

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Joined: Aug 2018

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From: California

You should be able to use the stock rods. Make sure you lable which one goes where, from what I know they may have different lengths. It will make it more work to get into the cam chest again if you need to later.

Nov 16, 2018 | 01:15 AM

vonh12

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Joined: Apr 2014

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From: Squamish, B.C.

I'd replace with adjustable pushrods myself.

Nov 16, 2018 | 06:24 AM

Fat11Lo

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Joined: Mar 2012

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From: Columbus, OH

First question: Do the new cams have the same base circle as the old ones? If yes then it is possible, however adjustable push rods will give precise control over lifter preload.

Nov 16, 2018 | 08:45 AM

djl

HDF Community Team

Joined: Jun 2006

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From: san antonio

Check base circle as Fat11Lo has suggested but the OP must also take head gasket thickness and whether or not heads will be decked and do the math to determine the new valve train stack up height and how much preload the OEM push rods will set on the lifters. If preload works out to be between .125" - .145", nothing wrong with using the OEM pushrods. But if lifter preload is less than .125", adjustable push rods might be a better choice. If OEM push rods are retained and there is some valve train noise, the OP can always cut the OEM push rods out and install adjustables.

As for roller rockers, unless the OP is installing cams with lift higher than .600", roller rockers are a waste of money; not necessary, expensive and they will make more noise than OEM rockers. I make that statement from personal experience, not something I read on the internet. I run .610' lift cams with OEM rockers on one bike and .595" lift cams in another with S&S roller rockers; guess which one is quieter than the OEM chain drive setup?