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How do you measure the roller sweep pattern when the pushrod length hasn’t been determined yet?
If I measure the sweep and need to shim the rocker pedestals, now my pushrod length would be off. My thought process is stuck in the “chicken or egg” loop on this one.
I’m already planning to get custom pushrods, but it would be nice to not have to buy a set, measure, then buy another set to get to the final correct length.
What order of events do you guys do for setting these up from scratch?
My self? On roller tipped rockers, I check for the length needed first. Then put a mock up push rod in and check the sweep. They do sell single pushrods and I have a few different common sizes to choose from. If it looks like it needs adjusting I experiment with some shims and then remeasure for the length needed once I get a good pattern.
Factory style rockers with trunion upgrade, not a whole lot you can do. For short travel lifters and to get closer to ordering 1 size custom length, I mock everything up and see how far the push rod lengths are off for each rocker. Then I add the correct amount of shim stock under each pad on the bottom side of the pedestal. Mcmaster carr sells round shims in 5 packs in .001 increments and then 10 packs from .002 up that work perfectly. I put a small amount of grease or assembly lube on them so they stick to the pad while I assemble the units. 11/32 I.D.x 13/16 O.D. 18/8 Stainless steel.
I use this tool from summit racing on stock head to measure for pushrod length. SUM-PLCLS7276 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-plcls7276 I also have the OG tool from MS racing components.
Here is the shims I used from MC Master Carr. Hopefully the link takes you to the shim page. But if not here is a screen shot. You can stack shims too in order to get the right thickness so you don't need to buy every size. I think I did .001 - .004 and one of them was of .007 so I just stacked a .004 and a .003 to get the .007 Measure first, then order what you need.
Awesome! I see what you did there and sounds like that’ll work well. I don’t have any various common pushrods, but I do have several screw length checkers and some light test springs. My thought now is follow your strategy establishing proper pedestal height using those, then go back and use the spring loaded length checker (I do have that also) to get the pushrod length proper.
I recently picked up one of the micrometer sweep measuring setups from wilkes to measure mine. Ill be trying it out as soon as my shaft rockers arrive.
I usually use an adjustable length pushrod checking tool. you can make one with a threaded stud, a tap and an old pushrod if you need to.
Normally checking springs under the valve spring retainer and normally a bit of grease pumped into the lifter if you dont want to pull the plunger to fill with washers
I ordered one of those Wilkes gauges a month ago. Haven’t heard a word since, every email is undeliverable and no answer ever on any phone number. I would have just liked to know a lead time, but at this point it might be calling my bank to cancel.
I might have to try and weld my own. It does look like an ideal tool for the job though.
Awesome! I see what you did there and sounds like that’ll work well. I don’t have any various common pushrods, but I do have several screw length checkers and some light test springs. My thought now is follow your strategy establishing proper pedestal height using those, then go back and use the spring loaded length checker (I do have that also) to get the pushrod length proper.
I think I failed to mention that I also use a light weight check spring as well.
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Pushrod length/roller rocker sweep help 
