I'm building a 355 I have everything except for the rotating assembly it's still in the process of being balanced. But I have the cam XFI268HR and Pro Magnum 1.6rr, and comp's hydraulic roller lifters along with a pushrod length checker and Trick Flow 195cc heads. Can I go ahead and get the pushrod length now or do I need something else? Also, if I'm putting the cam in just to get the pushrod length does it need to be greased? Thanks for the input just trying to get as much done as I can since I'm waiting for the main parts.

 

You have to watch where the cam is positioned, but yes, you can do it. I put the top timing gear on the front of the cam and then spin it so the dot is pointing straight up (and make sure it doesn't move). You are now on TDC, compression, of cylinder #1 and you can do your pushrod length checking on both the intake and exhaust of the #1 cylinder.

At least put oil on the cam journals since they will be riding against the cam bearings, and on the lobes of the cam for #1 intake and exhaust. Metal-on-metal is never a good idea, even if there's almost no pressure on the parts.

 

Can I use my hydraulic roller lifters or do I need solid lifters?

 

Use the lifters you've got or the measurement will be meaningless. I understand you are concerned about "collapsing" the lifter and getting erratic measurements if you get up on the lobe of the cam- which can definitely happen- but that's why they make low-pressure "checking" valve springs for exactly that purpose. They are so low pressure they will easily give before the plunger inside your hydraulic lifter will.

 

I know but I am trying to avoid disassembling the heads to install the check springs. So I guess I would have to use solid lifters.

 

you should only check with solids if you are going to run solid lifters in the motor or measuring would be usless

 

You only have to change one spring.

 

Then get a cheap Moroso pushrod length checker that looks like a solid plastic rocker arm and slides over the rocker stud. It will give you a good rough starting point for pushrod length without requiring you to run things up the cam lobes- all checking is done in the valve-closed position. Reading the results is dirt-simple: if it contacts the pushrod first, you need shorter sticks; if it touches the valve tip first you need longer sticks. For hydraulic cams I always leave the sticks just a little on the long side since you will be compressing the lifter slightly when you set your valves the typical 1/4-1/2 turn down from zero lash.

 

Alright well I changed the spring with the one that came with my cam degree kit and I come up with a pushrod length of 7.4. Does that sound about right. Has anyone used a setup similar to mine? It's a 355, trick flow heads, 1.6 pro magnum roller rockers and hydraulic roller lifters and compcams XFI268HR. Just don't want to order the wrong ones. Thanks for the help

 

Mine came out to 7.365". This includes a preload of .015". My block was decked .015". The heads milled about .030". Head gasket is .028". By the way I used Terry Manton #4 3/8" pushrods.