Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Pushrod length Calculation

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-25-2008, 06:10 AM
  #1  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
LS2Monte's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Pushrod length Calculation

I'm gonna replace the PR when I do the cam swap for my LQ4. The heads, gaskets, deck height, and rockers are all staying stock. I'm simply changing the cam and springs right now. The cam is a small Comp 216/226 .526/.535 112+4. Its a very similar grind to the hot cam.

Anyways, could I safely pickup a set of 7.400" pushrods? I was thinking about measuring the base circle on the stock cam and the new Comp, and then splitting that difference in half, adding it to the overall pushrod length. Should I go ahead and do this or will 7.4" pushrods be fine?
Old 03-25-2008, 06:53 AM
  #2  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
brad8266's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Watertown, NY
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LS2Monte
I'm gonna replace the PR when I do the cam swap for my LQ4. The heads, gaskets, deck height, and rockers are all staying stock. I'm simply changing the cam and springs right now. The cam is a small Comp 216/226 .526/.535 112+4. Its a very similar grind to the hot cam.

Anyways, could I safely pickup a set of 7.400" pushrods? I was thinking about measuring the base circle on the stock cam and the new Comp, and then splitting that difference in half, adding it to the overall pushrod length. Should I go ahead and do this or will 7.4" pushrods be fine?
You can measure the base circle like you said, that is a good way to do it. Or to be 100% sure and get a desired preload you can buy a pushrod length checker and actually measure what you need.
Old 03-25-2008, 04:39 PM
  #3  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
GuitsBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 6,249
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Yeah, you need to know teh difference in base circle radius between teh stock and new cams. Most likely itll be 1.550 to 1.450. In which case a 7.425 pushrod will be within .005 of the stock 7.380 pushrods. 7.400 will also work, but not quite as on target.
Old 03-26-2008, 03:05 AM
  #4  
Teching In
iTrader: (6)
 
Rambo06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: sf bay area, California
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

You need to buy a pushrod length checker to be 100% sure, don't half *** it because you can cause premature valve stem failure if you're not centered.
Old 03-26-2008, 10:46 AM
  #5  
Staging Lane
 
oldmanwinter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Correct me please if I am wrong, cuz I am near putting mine back together.
If he has stock valve train, wouldn't the rocker wipe be the same if he used the wrong lenth PR? The rocker geometry is not a variable. Wouldn't the wrong length PR just preload the improperly?
Old 03-26-2008, 10:48 AM
  #6  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
GuitsBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 6,249
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by oldmanwinter
Correct me please if I am wrong, cuz I am near putting mine back together.
If he has stock valve train, wouldn't the rocker wipe be the same if he used the wrong lenth PR? The rocker geometry is not a variable. Wouldn't the wrong length PR just preload the improperly?
This is a greatly debated topic. Im with you on this one. I feel the wipe would only change if the rockers were shimmed to adjust for preload. Other people will disagree on this topic to the death...
Old 03-26-2008, 12:40 PM
  #7  
bsf
TECH Resident
iTrader: (7)
 
bsf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: MI
Posts: 865
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by oldmanwinter
Correct me please if I am wrong, cuz I am near putting mine back together.
If he has stock valve train, wouldn't the rocker wipe be the same if he used the wrong lenth PR? The rocker geometry is not a variable. Wouldn't the wrong length PR just preload the improperly?
IMO, no. With a near stock setup though, I do not see how you could end up with the proper preload but have the swipe pattern too off-center. I did not bother to check swipe when I did H/C. All I was concerned w/ was selecting the push rods which gave me the desired preload. Correct me if I am wrong, but if all you change are cam and pushrods, you cannot achieve proper preload without having a proper swipe pattern. This was taken into account during design of the engine and components, was it not?




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:51 AM.