Please give advice...I have/had a stock 360. I put in a new cam kit from Comp cams that included the 268H .494 lift cam, lifters, and new 834-16 springs. Edelbrock intake with 600cfm carb. Springs are 1.900 install height. Valve retainer to Valve seal clearance is .687, so plenty of room for the lift of the cam. I have 9.62 rods. Rocker shaft is non-adjustable. I torqued it down and away I went with cam break in. After all the break in period I ran it around the neighborhood and severely bent two push rods on no 6 cylinder and collapsed the lifters. Remeasured and replaced everything. I took it out again and proceeded to bend rods on no 2 and 8 cylinders along with collapsing 6 lifters never got above 3800 RPM. Could I possibly need shorter rods?

 

Sounds like it needs shorter rods too me. Sorry your havin all the trouble but be glad you dont have your stock intake! Lol its heavy as hell

 

I am glad I don't either. I ended up measuring the preload and found my mistake. Preload gap between rocker and valve was .041...Needless to say that was the issue. Ordered 9.56 rods (.060 shorter) and it runs great. Big power change from shot 4bbl autolite, and stock. Ran it hard a couple times tonight up to 4500RPM in second without issues. Happy to have it working. Thanks for your input. It is always appreciated.

 

Glad you got it runnin good! I just built a 390 about 3 months ago, no problems yet knock on wood lol