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What pushrod length are you happy with? I'm getting a good wipe pattern with one shim under the stands and an 8.18"-ish length adjustable. I bought a pair of Ford 351W PRs to check with, Mellings 280 @ 8.152" and a 280A @ 8.212" but haven't had a chance to check them out yet.
The ball-ends are type "H" which have 5/16" diameter ***** with 270° of the ***** exposed. Is this the end I want? Once I get it narrowed down, I'll order a set of 3/8" Trends or Mantons...
I ended up going with a Manton 3/8" pushrod only 7.070" in length. This is an LS3 based 427 with L92 heads with a very light skim on the heads. We did not have to add any shims under the rocker pedestals. Camshaft is a Cam Motion low lash solid roller with 1.7 rockers. Morel solid roller lifters that emulate the factory LS7 lifter.
I'm running a Cammotion LLSR with Morel 5452 lifters. Trying to see if (why?) my pushrods being over 8" long is normal. My block's been decked and the heads milled too. Think I'll drop in a stock lifter bucket and some hydro lifters and see if that gives me any clues...
Didn't even have to stick them in, all it took was one look. After measuring, the pushrod cup on the factory hydraulic lifter is 0.825" taller than on the 5452's (these Morels also have a 0.750" wheel). I did get a slightly better wipe pattern without the shims, and will end up with the 8.152" length. Not sure I can fit 3/8" rods, the holes have already been hogged out but the inside radius of the intake port is really thin there and these 5/16" rods are only a couple thou from touching...
Also, the T&D stand bolts stick about 3 threads into the intake ports. Should I trim them that much to keep the airflow a bit cleaner?
Did your T&D rockers come with the ideal geometry tool?
Using this tool as a guide should get you a perfect pattern.
No, Speed, I got these used off E-Bay. My PRs need to be 8.152" which just happens to be an early Ford (non-roller) 351W, so I bought a single Mellings #280 to verify wipe pattern with full spring pressure. Now I'm looking for a quality set of PRs that will hold up to Manley Nextek 221436 springs.
Not sure if I can get a 3/8", or even a tapered 3/8" in there, as a 5/16" is just a couple thou off the short-side intake wall and that wall is very thin.
Anybody got input on the Ford "HH" ends? These are 5/16" ball tips with 270° access...
Trend should stock that pushrod. They usually have them available in every .025" increments. If your heads aren't torqued down yet, bust out the die grinder and make room for pushrods.
A shorter PR would obviously have less flex, buuut, the lifters Kip sent are almost 7/8" shorter than a stock hydro lifter. So, it is what it is...
Originally Posted by speedtigger
Trend should stock that pushrod. They usually have them available in every .025" increments. If your heads aren't torqued down yet, bust out the die grinder and make room for pushrods.
I'm concerned about the port wall thickness. The PR holes have already been hogged out and the wall is pretty thin there. I may go ahead and get the 3/8" rods, see if they rub there, and deal with it. It's hard to see down the hole and gauge what clearance there is...
Any idea if those Ford "H" style ball-ends are OK to use and/or get accurate measurements from?
I have seen failures with those. I have seen the ball ends break off. Not saying they are bad, but I have seen them busted up. But, who knows how well those guys valve trains were setup.
I would feel comfortable with a good 11/32 Mantos with a .120 wall. A 3/8 .080 would be my first choice. And yes, I have severl pair of those calipers. But, I am old timey. LOL
I was able to maintain .125"-.130" port wall thickness with 3/8" pushrods,. but that was with the Dart heads.
Here is me fitting the Dart LS3 heads for T&Ds:
Last edited by speedtigger; Oct 21, 2015 at 08:54 PM.
I'm running a Cammotion LLSR with Morel 5452 lifters. Trying to see if (why?) my pushrods being over 8" long is normal. My block's been decked and the heads milled too. Think I'll drop in a stock lifter bucket and some hydro lifters and see if that gives me any clues...
I have Manton Series 5 3/8"x.145"wall pushrods in the length of 8.725". I too, run T&D shaft mounts on a set of MAST LS7 medium bore heads milled to 64cc, and Morel 5425 SR lifters with excellent valve/rocker geometry. Also running a CamMotion LLSR from Kip.
Have you considered a double tapered 3/8" pushrod? I used them in my AFR heads because the straight 3/8" wouldn't fit, or so I was warned. My were made from one piece billet steel by Trend. You might be able to buy two double tapered to check fitment and then purchase the other 14 once you confirm fit. Speak with their Tech support, they are very helpful.
Martin (Tick) had a deal last month for $250/set, I e-mailed him a couple days ago and haven't heard back yet. I'll try and measure, would definitely feel better with 3/8" x 0.080"...
Martin (Tick) had a deal last month for $250/set, I e-mailed him a couple days ago and haven't heard back yet. I'll try and measure, would definitely feel better with 3/8" x 0.080"...
Martin and Tick parted ways. I just read on FB he is starting Smallwood Racing Development or something similar to that.
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For peeps with T&D rockers... 
