The shell lifters use longer push rods

Pushrod length
 

Since I think we determined you have non-adjustable valvetrain there is just one basic pushrod length for the pushrod with ball ends on both ends. But... because there was no other way to adjust the length Ford used to sell them in longer and shorter sizes to compensate for milling the heads etc.

I think what you'll have to do is get some standard ones and compare them with your good ones. You could have custom length ones for all we know, it's fairly common to have to make up custom pushrods these days.

Chuck

Paul,
Measure the length of the good ones. We can measure ours here in the states and compare to see if you have a custom length.
Steve

Paul,
US Automotive should be able to help you out on parts, I may even some kicking around that you could "borrow".

US Automotive
18-19, St. Martins Way
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK42 0LF
United Kingdom

Tel. 01234 273155
Fax. 01234 273064

http://www.usauto.co.uk


Paul

My car came with a set of Dove roller rockers and shafts. They are supported on the ends.The ends bolt down to special head bolts. When I took them appart and needed advise and instructions. I ended up getting information through George Anderson at Guessford Machine in Nebraska.He's under" member discounts" at the top of the page and I beleive he is a dealer.Thirty years ago I messed around with a 406 stuffed in a 55 Customline and later a 428 in a 63 1/2 gallaxie.solid lifters were the choice I went with .Shell lifters were the choice for me .They date back from the first FE 332 in late 57 I beleive. They are a solid lifter shaped like an empty drinking glass but with straight outsides . The longer pushrod sits against the bottm of the lifter allmost on the actual cam lobe.I found some supplied by Holman Moody (1972) that were incredably lite even lighter than originals.I mainly had problems with the pushrods supplied by Crane ,Allways bending them..My choice is a solid lifter cam, shell lifters, and the best pushrods you can find . My part was easy I only had a couple of bent pushrods so I measured the good ones and ordered another set and replacements. Apparently my geometry was correct so I stayed with that length. I've seen others with new configurations that must have been off a little and problems insued.My pushrods were made by.
Smith Brothers Pushrods (541) 388-8188 (on shipping lable)
62968 Layton ave-suite 1 1 800 367 1533 ( on box)
Bend Origon
Do not try to straighten severly bent tubular pushrods . Metal doesn't compress when it is bent it stretches.If it gets stretched it gets thinner.It allready has a predisposition to bend.It will bend again with less force.There is allways a trade off with all things. With the lighter lifters you use a longer push rod.That creates another problem.Good tubular pushrods go a long way to taking care of that problem ,but everything has its limits.
Looking at the box my pushrods came in, my machinist paid $148.34 to get them here to Tacoma WA.

I have 2 NOS units C8AE (better oiling than earlier shafts) in the wrapper. $75 ea. 707.235.6639

I guess you found some. I still have these NOS units if anyone wants them.