Stock '68 FLH with hydraulic lifters. I changed the pushrod tubes the other day and the exhaust rods came out easy. Even after shortening the intake rods all the way, I had to pry them out of the cup of the lifter. Are stock pushrods the same length or are the exhaust rods longer? Could the PO have mixed them up? I did the exhaust first and then the intake so I didn't have them all out at the same time to compare length.
Thanks in advance.

 

some aftermarket sets the 2 intakes are the same length giving 3 different sizes

shortest - rear intake
next a little longer - front intake
next rear exhaust - longer then both intakes and shorter then the front exhaust
longest of them is the front exhaust

a builders trick is to use one of the old clasped corks with the new one in the center of the front exhaust spring cup to get it to be as tight as the rest once installed

 

Thanks John but were the OEM pushrods the same length or were the intake rods one length and the exhaust rods longer and by how much? I put these back the way they were and adjusted them. If the PO had the exhaust rods in the intake, would they be hard to remove? Could they damage anything if they were adjusted correctly? I haven't started the bike but I did turn it over several times with the kicker and didn't hear any bad noises.

 

most times you cant mix the oem pushrods as the long wont work in the short locations

if you were able to install them they most likely are in the correct locations

 

Stock push rods are the same part number. The adjustment is just different. I've had the same problem trying to get the intake out. Try tightening it and letting it set to bleed down, it may loosen enough that you can remove it. Don't try turning the motor over with the pushrods tight or it will bend them or a valve.

 

Thanks John and Filthy. I was able to get them in, I just had to pry the intakes over the cup of the lifter. After they were in, they had play in them and I adjusted as normal. Next time I have occasion to remove, I'll take them all out at the same time and compare length. The PO had made some pretty bonehead moves so I was concerned that he had mixed them up and I had replaced them the same way. When I turned them down 4 turns after seating, the lifters did bleed down so they would spin so I think I'm OK.
Thanks again for your advice.

 

Not on my shovel!!!!! At minimum 3 different lengths as John has pointed out.... or you gots Chiwanese replacements!!!! I have a Set that are 4 different lengths...But, I may have Customized them!!!!