Pushrod length?

[chevyfan16]

I'm assembling my sbc 355. I need to know what size pushrod to use so I bought a length checker. However, my lifters a very soft and not pumped up yet, I have two light weight checking springs in but they still push the lifter down a little before opening the valve. They are new roller lifters and roller tip rockers. Can someone help me on what to do? How far to I run the rocker arm nut down too?

 

[pontiacgp]

here's a good article dealing with what your asking about. I used the feeler gauge method on my roller lifters and it worked well

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techa ... index.html

 

[chevyfan16]

Ahhh that's a great way to allow for preload! How much preload should I allow in? Also, when I turn the engine, the lifter collapses a little. Are my checking springs to strong? They are pretty tight should I cut them down to release some pressure?

 

[gbondo57]

Saw keith dorton on pwrblk, the roller should contact the valve stem across the middle of the top. Use a magic marker on the stem, roll it over, keep adjusting till the mark is centered. The geometry should be rite then. The whole idea is to stay on top of the stem, centered.

 

[Pontiac455]

Take an old lifter and put a tack weld the plunger to the body of the lifter.