Building my 383 from a 1997 350 core. I have all the parts from the vortec 350. Measuring for pushrod length and the stock length will work. But I'm using AFR heads and non-self aligning roller rockers so I need hardened pushrods.

Are 1997 L31 pushrods hardened so they can be used with guide plates?

 

Stock?

Maybe they are, just barely. Why would anyone care? They're STOCK. They're CRAP. Same as any other STOCK push rods. Good enough to do what the factory needed (after all, anything more would be muda), which of course, was TRUCKS; but NOWHERE NEAR good enough for any manner way shape form or fashion of "performance".

No, STOCK push rods cannot be safely used with guide plates. Or anything else related to "performance". Yes, you will get answers something like, "I re-used mine, so far they're OK". Well, I personally know someone who went skydiving one day, and their parachute failed to open, and they survived. So, now maybe, I should get on the skydiving boards and tell people they don't need a parachute, after all I know somebody ... REALLY?

Get some efffffing REAL push rods for Bozhye's sake.

 

Stock pushrods are NOT hardened atleast not enough for guideplates and they are also thinner wall tubing than just about any pushrod.

 

I have a set of Comp Cams pushrods on the way.