i am (or rather attempting to) build a 351 Windsor, i have a 71 short block that i purchased and i believe the heads i got are off a 78. i put just a stock replacement hydraulic flat tappet comp cam in it, with new lifters. Can i use the stock push rods? and what is the correct procedure for torquing down the rocker arms? i have read that with that motor just run them down to 20ft lbs but at that point the valves are actually open. i really am at a loss for this. thanks for any help

 

You just tighten the rocker arm bolt to the correct torque and thats it. The stock push rods should be ok as long asthey are in good condition and all. They arent adjustable and its ok if the valve opens.

 

I dont know if something was changed when i bought the heads or what ( i bought them rebuilt) but they dont have bolts for rocker arms, it is a stud and nut, and by the time it torques to 20lbs the valve is open a good amount

 

Tighten the nut to the recommended torque. Its normal for the valve to open in places where the cam lobe is up. Be carefule breaking in the cam. Since they removed ZDDP from oil flat tappet cams are **** to flatting out during break in. I would prime the oil pump for several minutes with an air ratchet think its a 7/16 socket but cant remember for sure pull the distributor and the oil pump shaft is at the bottom.. counter clock wise..

 

ok, thanks for the help and advice on break in. i don't think the lobes are up though, the lifters will be all the way down but the valves open a lot buy the time they torque.... that's where i was getting confused i guess, i didn't know if some how the stock push rods were to long and causing this or what

 

I think your fine. The only time the push rod should be a little bit loose is when the lifters all the way at the bottom. Turn the engine over by hand if your that worried put a braker bar on the big crankshaft bolt and rotate it. it should move tightly.. worse case youll bend a push rod but that aint gonna happen.

 

lol, already did that, just thought i had done something wrong. sorry thought i mentioned that in the first post, guess i forgot.

 

Only a few of the lobes would be up pushing the valves open. There is a procedure for checking the clearance of the valves, rocker arm to valve stem clearance. It involves turning the crankshaft to different positions(thereby moving the cam lobes down) to check different valves. Now would be a great time to do this before the valve lifters are pumped up. I would suggest getting a Haynes repair manual and read the procedure. It's not difficult to do.

If the clearance is not within spec. you can purchase different length push rods.

 

you might have the wrong push rods. I looked and it shows a standard size for the 351w. Call the place you got your cam and ask them what pushrod length you need. That is the only thing it could be.

 

there is NO adjustment for hydraulic flat tappet cams. I've done this several times. The only thing it could be is wrong push rods.

 

standard length is 8.182..

 

Ill call comp when i get a chance and see what they say for that cam (its suppose to be a stock replacement, no upgrades needed i think) and ive heard a lot of people say there is no adjustment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89o5rLpbCgI

mine are like the ones 15 seconds into this video... not sure if that counts as adjustable or not/

 

thanks again for the input, and willingness to put up with my lack of knowledge lol, im glad i have this site and you guys for when i get stuck

 

I look at 78 351w's and the standard for that year is 8.182 but in 71 they had 2 different sizes 8.144 & 8.092
Bottom line is you got the wrong size. no harm bending the push rod didnt hurt it. just need to get the right ones.

 

those in that video are not adjustable.