Which end of the standard 440 hydraulic pushrod

[Strawdawg]

was installed up and which down (lifter)?  (non adjustable factory rocker arms)

One end of the factory pushrod has a necked down ball in it instead of a conventional round ball.  When I started a cam change, I noticed one side of the engine had the necked down balls on top at the rocker end while the other side had them installed into the lifter.

Manual does not seem to mention a difference and it may be immaterial as to which is up and which is down, but, I am curious as I am fixing to start installing them. Neil had told me that I could have new ones made with the same ball on each end rather than the necked down style which would suggest it does not matter, but???

[ireland383]

I would say it doesn't matter.  I would keep the ball up top on the rocker end, just seems like it would fit better.

[Strawdawg]

okay, Larry Shepard's book says small ends go in the lifter ....does not say why    (meaning I don't know why there is a small end)

better to have the large end at the rocker in order to spread out the force on the lifter cup to minimize wear...I can see that but what is the point of a small end at the lifters....??

[oldkimmer]

..................Up till and including 1967 big blocks had a different lifter along with the necked down pushrod.....the lifter plunger is lower in the lifter body, therefore uses a longer pushrod.......68 up uses a new style lifter and pushrod which is shorter........u must use each set together or preload will be out of specs............u will need 68 up pushrods with ur cam change .....kim...........

[Strawdawg]

..................Up till and including 1967 big blocks had a different lifter along with the necked down pushrod.....the lifter plunger is lower in the lifter body, therefore uses a longer pushrod.......68 up uses a new style lifter and pushrod which is shorter........u must use each set together or preload will be out of specs............u will need 68 up pushrods with ur cam change .....kim...........

Strange, it's a '69 engine, but, I checked the preload before I took it apart and it was too much (0.060-.080 too much) .  Getting ready to do the top end and plan to recheck it as always.  Current pushrods are 9.31" and I attributed the excess to the heads having apparently been milled a lot from the appearance of the intake fit.  Thanks for the tip.