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

Double check my pushrod measurement?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 15, 2011 | 07:50 AM
  #1  
crainholio's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 3
Default Double check my pushrod measurement?

Using a Comp 6.800" pushrod measurement tool, I have measured two intakes and two exhausts, got 8-1/2 turns to zero lash each time.

The engine is an LS1 long block with the following modifications:

'02-04 LS6 camshaft (brand new from GM dealer)
243 heads with 0.004" milled off (deck height was 1.608" factory, now 1.604")
LS6 valves (taller than LS1 valves)
Morel link-bar lifters (cup is 0.050" higher than LS1 lifter)
Stock rockers
GM MLS head gaskets

The measurement puts me at 7.225" length, plus 0.030" preload the Morel lifters want gets me at 7.255" net pushrod length.

Morels seem to like less preload than more, so I'm looking at 7.250" pushrods.

Can you guys check my math? This is basically a stock setup with a few known changes, but I can't account for the pushrods being so short.

Morel lifters have the cup higher than stock: 0.050"
Heads were milled: 0.004"
LS6 valves taller than LS1: 0.014"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
net difference: 0.068"

Stock pushrod is 7.385" and includes some amount of lifter preload.

7.385" - 0.068" = 7.317"
7.317" - (lifter preload from factory) = X

What am I missing?
Reply
Old May 15, 2011 | 09:00 AM
  #2  
A.R. Shale Targa's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 15
From: Fredonia,WI
Default

LS6 valves are 0.6 mm longer or 0.0236" to allow for smaller base circle
of factory cam and still use 7.385 push rods of LS1
Reply
Old May 15, 2011 | 10:32 AM
  #3  
crainholio's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by A.R. Shale Targa
LS6 valves are 0.6 mm longer or 0.0236" to allow for smaller base circle
of factory cam and still use 7.385 push rods of LS1
Thanks for the number, but let me explain my math.

I used 0.014" in my math above, based on the fact that the 0.0236" is on the long side of a 1.7:1 rocker and therefore:

0.0236" / 1.7 = 0.01388" or 0.014" at the pushrod cup.

Is this the correct geometric approach?
Reply
Old May 15, 2011 | 04:10 PM
  #4  
A.R. Shale Targa's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 15
From: Fredonia,WI
Default

I see what ya mean. I was talking actual valve length and your thinking was
pushrod simulation. Also milling the head simulates a .004 longer pushrod but
the valve tip height lowers the same. Pray for quiet valvetrain !!!!
Reply
Old May 15, 2011 | 05:36 PM
  #5  
crainholio's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 3
Default

Prayers, animal sacrifice, whatever it takes.

If nobody chimes in with something I missed, I'll grab a set of Comp 7.250" pushrods in the morning.

The irritating thing is that I can't find any indicators of lifter failure on my old stock #8 or #2 intake lifters, the two noisy ones that the valve tips got hammered on. They won't compress w/ a pushrod by hand one bit. I expected them to be squishy. The cam lobes and lifter rollers showed small grooves, most likely caused by the ablated valve tip material washing onto them while in motion.

Last edited by crainholio; May 16, 2011 at 05:54 AM.
Reply
Old May 16, 2011 | 04:53 AM
  #6  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

I ran my Morels at different preloads and have found them most happy at 0.050" preload.

Not sure of what you are doing at the end of the post but a couple of things to think about. LS1 and LS6 use the same pushrod. LS6 taller valves must used the rocker ratio to figure out preload change. So the 0.014" taller valve stem will result in a 0.014 X 1.7 = 0.024" change in preload. Not sure if that helps resolve the difference. Also, not sure if you included the difference in preload that you are using vs. stock. I have measured a few stock vehicles and they come in close to 0.100" so that is approximately 0.070" difference as well.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:53 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE