(TA) Pushrods wanted

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by srb, Apr 29, 2020.

  1. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    I'm rebuilding my engine and I've just installed the rebuilt heads. So now I was looking at my pushrods, but they look different. I have a 430 1969 with stock heads and rocker oiling.

    I've read that would mean I should have 5/16" pushrods diameter and 9.35" length.

    The pushrod on the left has the shaft diameter of 5/16. But the head is 3/8". The length is difficult to measure for me at the moment, but I think it is the correct one. I'll have to confirm later this week.
    I only have 4 of these.
    The other 12 are similar to the ones on the right. These are slightly shorter and have strange measurements. The shaft diameters are 7,20 mm and that corresponds with 0,2834 inch. The heads are 9,15 mm which corresponds to 0,3602 inch. Are these Buick pushrods or different? And what about the other 4?
    I took them out of a running engine. I'm confused. What to do?
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Apr 30, 2020
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    What rocker arms are you using? The ball ends of the pushrods are different for the 69 and earlier engines. From the TA catalog,

    TAPushrodFacts.JPG

    You must measure for proper push rod length.
     
  3. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    I hope that picture answers your question. I should have 3/16" radius ball end, so the four seem ok (edit: regarding diameter that is). I can confirm by casting that I have 69 heads and 69 block.
    I get the feeling the 12 others aren't Buick rods, since they are way off regarding measurements.

    I'll start looking for measurements ..
     

    Attached Files:

  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Those are early rocker arms, so you need the push rods with the bigger ball ends. What lifters are you using? Are you oiling through the block or through the push rods?
     
  5. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    Stock hydraulic. Oiling through the block.
     
  6. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    OK, so you need push rods with the big ball ends. Make sure to measure for the correct length.
     
  7. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    Does there happen to be someone here located in Europe with a single adjustable pushrod for sale so I can measure?
     
  8. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    If you haven't milled the heads or decked the block any significant amount, I would think a stock length pushrod would be fine.
     
  9. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    The heads are milled. At least twice. Block I don't know. Not while I had it, but it was rebuild at least once.
    Also, the distance between the intake and block is .12, so that is less than normal.
    And I have 12 different pushrods, so I want a clean set anyway.

    Come to think of it, is there perhaps a way to make an adjustable from a normal pushrod?
     
  10. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Maybe. If you take a hollow pushrod, cut one end off, then tap the opening on both pieces, then use a threaded rod in between those 2 pieces? Maybe grind a flat on opposite sides of the top piece so you could put a wrench on it to adjust? Just trying to think outside the box.

    9.350" is the stock length for all 400-430-455 push rods.

    PushrodMeasurement..jpg
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2020
  11. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    Jep, that's going pretty well:
    20200513_211801.jpg

    Works like a charm.
    To confirm, you have to be able to spin it around with your fingers, but with drag correct? And then add .03 to .06 for the proper length. That means that the 4 with the correct geometry actually are a little too long. About 0.03..

    And about the rocker arms, unfortunately they were mounted backwards. The manual states about a drillmark on a certain location, but it turned out to be 180 degrees turned. I do see that the oiling hole in the shaft is then pointed outward. How big of a problem is that? 15 years ago I mounted them exactly as they came out, so it was incorrect for even much longer. Is there something to see that indicates I have a problem? Or no problem here?
     

    Attached Files:

  12. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Zero lash is very subtle as you spin the push rod, it's the slightest amount of resistance.
     
  13. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    I've finished measuring and it turns out that I need the 9,325" length pushrods.
    If I'm correct that would be the TA_1423-1. Does anyone has a full set for sale? 5/16" shaft diameter and 3/8" ball diameter, no oiling hole.
     
  14. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    I believe I have a stk set of those pushrod, when you took your measurements did you add for preload or is the 9.325 the as measured length with no preload
     
  15. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    The as measured length is 9.2775. Adding 0.05 gives 9.327, so 9.325 looks good to me. I measured as described above by TA performance.
    Yours have the 3/8" ball end? What is your selling price?
     
  16. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    I will check to make sure I still have them, they are just stk length rod though. Sounds like they will be a tick long by about .025
     
  17. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    Oh no, stock is too long.
     
  18. 70 GMuscle

    70 GMuscle Plan B

    I have a new set from ta 9.325. 5/16
     
  19. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    3/8" ball ends? Then I'm interested. What do you want for them?
     
  20. 70 GMuscle

    70 GMuscle Plan B

    No, 5/16 straight up. Sorry.
     

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