Given the length of /6 pushrods @9.9" do the stock units flex too much in a modified engine? Are after market chromemoly a better choice? What do you racers use?

Thanks, C-dog

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Stock pushrods would to fine in a race motor, i know there are people around that run em

Justin

Our new engine bent 3 pushrods almost right away with stock pushrods. The cam we are using was .528 / 284 with single springs with 300# open pressure. I think it all depends on what cam and spring you will be using.

Smith brothers is where we got ours.

Rick

make sure you have clearance between retainer and v.seal/guide boss for those higher lift cams! If insufficient, expect damaged parts.

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'66 Cuda 225/4spd
'66 Dart GT convertible 225/auto
'64 Dart GT 340/4spd

I just noticed some thing about pushrods, last night while adjusting the valves on my rebuilt motor. I had shorter push rods, because of milling .100 of my head and .010 off the deck. I am running the same block, and head. Head gasket is .015 thicker. I changed the cam from a Crane with .434 lift, to the mopar .528 lift. Now my heavy duty pushrods are almost too short. My stock push rods would work, length wise, but I didn't think they would be strong enough, with dual springs.
Evidently this cam has a smaller lobe base circle. So when considering if you need to get shorter push rods when milling, take into account how big a cam, will be used.
The best way would be to assemble the engine, and measure. It is quite possible, milling .090, felpro type head gasket and a cam, with a lift in the .490 and up range, would not require shorter push rods.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

I have run stock pushrods with cams in the 0.500" range and strong springs, and did not have any bend, BUT I did drive a couple of the upper cups down into the rod so I switched to the MP chromemoly units (cut to fit). No worries at all after that.

Lou

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Charlie,
You are right about the length on the .528 lift cam at least. We are running the Smith Brothers Chromemoly pushrods in the "stock" length.

Rick

I thought the main purpose of chrome-moly pushrods was so the pushrods wouldn't wear out as fast on guideplates? And a slant six doesn't have guideplates. Although I suppose if the pushrod buckled, a chromemoly one would be less likely to stay bent. Still, I'd think a larger diameter mild steel pushrod would be better for taking out some of the flex than a stock daimeter chromemoly.

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"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
'66 Dart - turbocharged 225
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