So 25 years ago I had a 401 rebuilt and then got deployed overseas for 9 years (Hawaii, Korea, Okinawa). Got married and my J10 sat at my parent's barn with a nearly complete engine since then. I was convinced that I needed roller rocker arms so I had the heads worked during the rebuild for Crane gold roller rocker arms - screw in 3/8 studs and two piece guide plates (that's all I remember). In the age before the widespread use of the internet I didn't know that this valvetrain setup required different length pushrods so I was stumped why it would not push the valves down when I turned the engine over by hand.
On previous trips to see my parents I didn't have time to spend on the Jeep seeing how the wife and kids wanted to do things other than get greasy.
I might be going to see my mom soon and I'd like to get one step closer to finishing the engine. I've watched some videos on measuring the correct length of pushrod but I have some questions.
1. What length adjustable pushrod gauge should I get? I've seen 6.88 to 7.88 and 7.88 to 8.88 on a powerpoint presentation someone did a while back. I'm sure even if I bought both neither would be the correct length for my setup with non-stock parts so any suggestion to gauge would be great.
2. When I check the length I want the lifter to be full of oil? If not, how does the lifter top not compress into the lifter when the valve spring pressure is stronger than the lifter spring?
3. Can this all be done with the intake installed?
Beyond that it all seems fairly simple having looked at the presentation and watched youtube videos. Any reason that procedures on a Chevy from the videos would be different from an AMC?