Lifter preload delema
distance from top of lifter to base of rocker rocker is 7.4 (lets ignore pushrod for now and refer to distance)
block gets hot and expands .015, heads get hot but not quite as hot as the block and they expand .010. so since the block is hot and expanded the distance to rockers has shrunk from 7.4 to 7.385. now we add in the fact that the heads expanded away from the block .010., so add .010 to the 7.385 and we now have 7.395. we are now .005 shorter after expansion, but the pushrod length doesn't change much, so if it doesn't increase by at least .005, you will be increasing load. feel free to post me a link of a RELIABLE and technical source to better explain to me if im not right
i believe all you guys about it growing, but i just cant make sense of it........so basically if the pushrods were made of aluminum (lol) they would expand the same thus keeping preload or lash the same weather motor is hot or cold correct?
Last edited by Floorman279; Aug 3, 2018 at 06:33 PM. Reason: balls
i believe all you guys about it growing, but i just cant make sense of it........so basically if the pushrods were made of aluminum (lol) they would expand the same thus keeping preload or lash the same weather motor is hot or cold correct?
You can take two identical engines, one with aluminum heads, and the other with the exact same head, only made out of cast iron, and all things bring equal, the cast iron headed engine will make more power, due to the iron headed engine holding heat in the chamber longer.
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
distance from top of lifter to base of rocker rocker is 7.4 (lets ignore pushrod for now and refer to distance)
block gets hot and expands .015, heads get hot but not quite as hot as the block and they expand .010. so since the block is hot and expanded the distance to rockers has shrunk from 7.4 to 7.385. now we add in the fact that the heads expanded away from the block .010., so add .010 to the 7.385 and we now have 7.395. we are now .005 shorter after expansion, but the pushrod length doesn't change much, so if it doesn't increase by at least .005, you will be increasing load. feel free to post me a link of a RELIABLE and technical source to better explain to me if im not right
Also,
What about your different sized banks? I may have read your original post wrong, you're not running two different head gaskets are you? Don't
You should be just fine running a 11/32" PR with a preload near or at .080" IMO. Again, IMO. Also, it's always a good idea to measure each and all 16 valves for the proper preload.
I've found many rebuilt engines with severe differences in between valves. Especially if the heads/valves have been worked on. It only takes one value with minimal preload to make noise.
Good Luck with your build!
How much longer are the new pushrods than the originals you installed?
Do you have a dial indicator? That is the most accurate way of measuring, counting turns is highly inaccurate.












