i know the only correct way is to check, but first off, whats the correct way to check? and secondly, is there a common length for this setup?

i have a 72 4bolt main 350 block, deck milled .020 with unmilled 906 vortec heads, seats have been ground and machine work has been done for larger springs, but still speced out to 1.75 install height without any shims
the stock pushrods for the vortec heads are WAY too short, and the stock pushrods for the block with 882 heads are just a little short- and since my calipers only go up to 6" i cant really measure, but they look to be around 7.75" when i put a ruler next to them

tried to give as much info as possible... any ideas?

 

Hi, standard size pushrods for the SBC is 7.800" My set-up is about the same as yours and I went with 8.100" works great.

 

flat tappet cam or retro roller?

 

Because roller cam pushrods are 7.200
If a stock 7.800 ( for '72 engine ) is short , you need to get a pushrod checker
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFS-9001/
so you can buy correct length

 

I made the mistake of not getting a pushrod checker. I ended up buying two sets. 8.4 and 8.1 The 8.4 were just long enough that the tips of my rockers hit the valve retainers. Learned my lesson. lol