1.Stock Length Pushrods
If you are not sure of the measurements listed above of the installed height the stock length for your setup may work. Typically on a 5.0 Mustang the stock pushrods are around 6.20.
2.Checking Existing Pushrods
If the car is currently running use this method to measure your pushrods.
*Remove* the rocker arm. Ensure that the pushrod seat remains in the block as you slide out the pushrod. Measure from the tip of the pushrod at the ball end that touches the rocker arm pedestal down to the opposite end that will seat into the lifter oil galley. Typically this measurement is made using a long reach digital caliper. This number is the pushrod length to the decimal of an inch.
3.Using a pushrod length checker tool/degreeing the cam
To get the most precise measurement the engine should be degreed and the proper tools used. To accurately measure the pushrod length there are a few steps that need to be followed.
Step #1: Degree your camshaft to zero using a degree wheel.
Step #2: Apply assembly lube to the pushrod tip and lifter oil galleys.
Step #3: Place a pushrod length gauge on the rocker stud (note: different pushrod manufacturers make slightly different length checking tools).
Step #4: Adjust the length of the pushrod checker until light, yet firm pressure is applied to the bottom of the adjusting nut/rocker fulcrum.
Step #5: Once you have the gauge where it needs to be, remove it and measure its length as described above in step #2.
4.Ordering Pushrods
For the vast majority of performance set ups and street cars stock length or very close to stock length will be right around the length you will end up with. However with different components this may not be the case. Once you have decided on the correct pushrod length then you will need to order them. It is typically recommended to order a length within .050 of your actual measurement. Pushrods are typically sold by the inch or to a sixteenth of an inch. Be sure to include any length checker spacers or additional measurements for your valvetrain.
