Guys I'm opening this thread because I need to buy some adjustable pushrods for my 455 and I'm not really sure about what I need to buy I need this because I'm using 400 / 430 engine rocker shaft and arms (the car came with these when I bought it) and I'm facing some serious issues of valve adjustments. I don't want to start testing so many differents sets of pushrods So, I think I need something like 9.37" length but not so sure about it, also, what size of pushrods do I need ? I've been trying to contact TA Performance without success so, I think I'm left with common stores like summit or jegs Any recommendation or advice? Thanks!
9.350" is the stock length push rod for the 400-430-455. You can order a single pushrod checker to determine the exact length you need, then order a set of that length pushrod, or you can get a full set of adjustables. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-7704-1/overview/ Here is the pushrod page from the TA catalog. Have you not downloaded their catalog? Where are you located? In Germany?
For sure measure what you need and order non adjustable. It's easier to measure 1 intake and 1 exhaust....on our motors normally the same length than to set up 16 to the correct length.....and never have to worry about them coming loose or something. Normally pushrods come every. 050 in length so if using hydraulic lifters you don't even gave to be 100 percent correct just fairly close as long as not short. When order rods you will need a larger ball on the rocker end to work with those older rockers and the standard ball to fit the lifter
I'm located in Colombia South America and I think the best option is a set of all adjustable pushrods, the car has been used on unlead gas and has never been rebuilt so I'm pretty sure could be possible to have valve seats with considerably wear which can make the valve travel to vary and so on the pushrod adjustment I'm not sure if 455 pushrods are 5/16" OD or 3/8 but I think I will need 3/8 to make them work on my 400/430 rockers, is there any issue of using smaller OD pushrods?
The ball size is not the same as pushrod size. Getting 3/8 pushrods through stk heads is very close to rubbing the hole sometimes it's your motor, you can buy what you want, but I'm telling you it's easier to order the correct length. The only time I prefer adjustable is if some run's several cams in the same motor and swaps around to only need 1 set. But that's very very rare
I've used the adjustables for 1000's of miles in most of my engines with no real problems. Order up the TA 1428B hybrid adjustables. Have them installed and adjusted correctly and never look back. I can't understand why you wouldn't be able to contact TA over the phone. They do not take orders over the internet on their own website. Maybe you can leave a message for them on this website: http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?forums/ta-performance.144/
I like using an adjustable to determine the correct length for proper geometry then order what I need. Rather not have 16 nuts to possibly loosen in addition to the loose nut behind the wheel.
Adjustable pushrods are undesirably heavier and also run the risk of breaking at the thread valleys (while in operation). Probably not a concern with a bone stock application. Larry
With a shaft-mounting for rockers on a Buick, there is no "geometry" involved with pushrod length. Only "proper" lifter preload, and I've seen lifters with more than a quarter-inch of plunger travel--although some hydraulic lifters have severely restricted travel, and you'd better know how much travel your lifter plungers have. The Chevy-style rocker adjustment does involve geometry for correct pushrod length. By that, I mean correct pushrod length on that style of rocker is the beginning of proper valvetrain geometry, not the only thing that needs to be correct.
