Pushrods Wrong Length? 350 SBC Issue

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CJ Rodarme

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My buddy has a k20 that I'm looking at buying. Its got a 350 with aluminum heads, a Comp 4x4 cam, lifters, springs pushrods, longtubes, carb, and I'm sure some other things that I'm missing. The only issue is the motor just doesn't seem to run right. Its got low power and backfires. The cam is flat tappet, and he used stock length pushrods, which is what I think might be the issue. Anyone got an idea what the issue might be?
 

drakon543

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everything has to match cam to rockers. there are cams that are designed to be direct swaps with the rest of the stock valvetrain. if he didn't check that before using using the cam that could be a problem. it sounds more like the timing is off.
 
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CJ Rodarme

CJ Rodarme

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Yeah I sort of have a feeling it’s something along the lines of that. The timing was done by him so I just don’t know. I’ll get part numbers for everything
 

drakon543

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what year is it and what other information you have on the truck?
 
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CJ Rodarme

CJ Rodarme

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86. My buddy knows the full history on it, his buddy’s grandpa was the original owner who sold it to his grandson. I believe it’s a NP208 T case. TH400. Very clean minimal rust, clean rockers
 

drakon543

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take it to an engine shop and have them tear it down and tell you what it has. some of it is still usable so you could end up with a nice engine for a fraction of the cost.
 

drakon543

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you want a nice engine anyway it sounds like the original owner had the right idea just not the know how. engine shop might be able to just tell you hey just buy this cam and bam your done.
 
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CJ Rodarme

CJ Rodarme

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you want a nice engine anyway it sounds like the original owner had the right idea just not the know how. engine shop might be able to just tell you hey just buy this cam and bam your done.
The plan for now is throw a junkyard 350, and rebuild the other motor with the right parts
 

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