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[Boatman]

After reading all the 575 cam threads, I see most people bought the Zipper's pro taper pushrods but found in the Zipper's forum you can not install their adjustable pushrods without removing the fuel tank, rockers, etc..  How many did this install themselves?  What adjustable pushrod would you use so you wouldn't have to remove the rockers whether you use the stock or Feuling lifters?
Thanks in advance.  Zipper's seems to be a busy place and I want to be somewhat educated when I call.

[BLM777]

Without sounding too opinionated, I wouldn't use any pushrod with a long enough adjustment section to avoid pulling the rocker boxes.  Part of the reason for making the mods is to stiffen up the valve train for accurate valve timing and I've not seen any benefit in using a pushrod with literally any flex.  Depending upon your familiarity with pulling the tank and rocker boxes I think a reasonable estimate for most folks doing their own work would be about an additional hour.  The result of using the Zipper's Pro Taper is well worth the effort.  Most of the members who made the conversion used the Feuling Oil Pump, Bypass and Lifters.  You'll find a tremendous difference in oil pressure and circulation with that setup.

[Boatman]

Thanks for the reply BLM..  I just equated "adjustable pushrod"  with a pushrod that was used in replacing cams without removing the rockers.  Then I read the Zipper's thread where a fellow was asking the question and Zipper's said with theirs to pull the rockers.  Now I'm being re-educated.   Any and all opinions are appreciated.  If you aren't high performance (me), and just want to get rid of the stock tensioners and go gear drive, does it really matter if a truely adjustable pushrod is used, and if so what brand(s)??  

[hd-dude]

There are many out there, Andrews, Crane, S&S, Screamin' Eagle, etc. I have used most of them. The Andrews and Screamin' Eagle seem to be the mopst popular. The Zippers are very close to being able to install them without removing the rockers. I don't think the extra 1/4" or so of threads will make any difference in a street application.

[BLM777]

I prefer the Zippers Pro Taper.  With regard to the "performance" issue, I would say that it is not as much about additional performance as it is taking advantage of the superior mods that you are installing.  In addition to getting rid of the "plastic" HD elected to put in the motors, you are also getting rid of the sloppy chain drive cam system which on it's best day makes valve timing a distant guess.  The use of the proper push rods will just further the ability to tune properly and get the most for your investment in the change.  It's really the same reasoning as upgrading the oil pump and oil flow as long as you're right in the same hole doing the cam change.  Oil pressure (or lack thereof) has always been a twin cam problem so it's quite reasonable to spend the few extra bucks and save a great deal of labor doing it at a later time.  JMHO>

[Boatman]

Whether you use the Zipper's or other brand pushrods (SE, Andrews), will they fit in the stock pushrod tubes or are the tubes changed also?

And if you used SE or Andrews adjustable pushrods,  does our 103 motor take the same pushrods as an 88?

Also, I looked at the SE's and they come with new pushtubes?

The problem around our area is most shops won't install your parts.

[hd-dude]

Whether you use the Zipper's or other brand pushrods (SE, Andrews), will they fit in the stock pushrod tubes or are the tubes changed also?

And if you used SE or Andrews adjustable pushrods,

[110tHunDer]

According to BLM, the stock tubes work fine with the Zipper's pushrods.  I think JR and 'd00d (and some others here?) are also using the stock tubes with those pushrods. [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

[Twolanerider]

According to BLM, the stock tubes work fine with the Zipper's pushrods.

[110tHunDer]

 
Here's where BLM said they'd work: http://flhrsei.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1144700310/125#125

[Twolanerider]

A separate thought Brian.  When we'd discussed previously your changing rocker boxes I'd not considered the necessity of them coming off to change the pushrods.  In my case I knew I was changing the boxes anyway so simply never contemplated the question.

However, if they must be removed for the work you'll already be doing it's worth consideration to go ahead and do it now after all.  It's not that we can't do it later with the only extra expense being an extra set of gaskets; no big deal.  But being a firm believer in Mr. Murphy's law it always seems prudent to avoid extra disassemblies and reassemblies when they can be avoided.

[Fired00d]

According to BLM, the stock tubes work fine with the Zipper's pushrods.

[hd-dude]

The stock tubes will work with most any manufactures pushrods, the benefit is that the new tubes are shorter in length so they collapse more which allows for a much easier time in doing the adjustments. Having done them both ways I like the increased access with the shorter tubes.

[loaddyno]

Cranes chrome molly works great with stock push rod covers!!!    really.......

[PoorUrbanHdBiker]

Crane chrome moly with Evo tubes and SE clips. EVO short tube, #17938-83
retainer, #17632-99. Done inexpensively, adjustment with ease, and rigid quality rods in 5/16" so that rubbing the tubes is not an issue and venting is not restricted by big fat pushrods.