pushrod question
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Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Port Crane, NY
pushrod question
So I've got a cam and all the associated stuff incoming. I got a rocker box seal kit, as my intent was to reuse the factory pushrods. This would also give me the opportunity to polish the rocker boxes while they're off. However, a buddy of mine just offered me some s&s quickee pushrods, new in the package, for a hundred bucks. Seems like a pretty good deal, but I understand there are fitment issues with the oem pushrod covers. Is this true? Is it just a matter of a little grinding here and there? If I have to spring for aftermarket covers, that will be a deal breaker as it's just not in the budget. I'm intrigued though because of the ability to set a little more preload vs oem. I ordered a set of the Johnson lifters, for what that's worth. Cam is EV13. Thanks for any input!
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 501
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From: Jersey
I use the S+S quickie pushrods with the Johnson lifters, although I have a higher lift cam. It's recommended to trim about 3/8ths of an inch off the inner tube to prevent rubbing with the S+S quickies. Easy using a simple tubing cutter, then chamfer the edges.. I did, no rubbing and they work great. BTW, there's some confusion about setting the pre load on those Johnson lifters depending what kind your using, I set mine at 2 full turns pre load and they are quiet and work great.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: West Central FL
Adjustable or non adjustible push rods don't cause fitment issues with the rocker boxes. The lift of your cam is what can cause rocker arms to have interferance with the boxes I'd think. I installed the EV 27 and used S&S Quickies so I would have to remove the heads and I had no clearance problems. The more agressive the cam the more it takes to get it to work right.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: SE Louisiana
The pushrods may rub on the top edges, I always ream them out some, about a 1/2" deep with a carbide bit in a die grinder.
Some recommend a 5/8's drill bit, I found this picture, that's reamed way too much in my opinion, I'd say ream them about half the thickness between the two in this picture.
Some recommend a 5/8's drill bit, I found this picture, that's reamed way too much in my opinion, I'd say ream them about half the thickness between the two in this picture.
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Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Port Crane, NY
So 3/8 inch off the inner tube and ream the top per the above post. That doesn't seem like too much surgery. I haven't seen my lifters yet, going to start tearing down today, but with 45k on the ol gal, it seems like good insurance while i'm in there. Also got cam bearing, shims and picked up a new breather gear from the dealer.
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Haslet Texas
Unless you're going with a high lift cam then I'd suggest you stick with the OEM pushrods...JMO
Unless those pushrods are EZ-install then you will still need to pull your rocker boxes.
Unless those pushrods are EZ-install then you will still need to pull your rocker boxes.
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 93
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From: Port Crane, NY
I plan to pull the rocker boxes either way so that I can polish them. I'm leaning toward this purchase because I've read that even mild cams, like what I'm getting, can create a lot of valvetrain noise when coupled with stock pushrods.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: South Carolina
If you are on a budget and looking to avoid unnecessary costs, forget the adjustable pushrods, especially since you are ok with removing the rocker boxes.
Solid pushrods are not going to make more noise than adjustables, if anything, they are quieter because they are lighter.
Solid pushrods are not going to make more noise than adjustables, if anything, they are quieter because they are lighter.