I'm in the last stages of finally "straightening out" this darn 385. ... AFR 190's, hydraulic roller, Scorpions rockers. The 7.50" length pushrods I have, produce a centered, (exhaust to intake ports) stem pattern on some of the valves. On others, a pattern... off center toward exhaust port is produced. A shorter 7.45" pushrod, on those valves, will contact in center, says my adjustable CC pushrod tool.

Engine is still on stand, ... I'm using the EOIC adjusting method, with 1/2 turn past 0. To be as accurate as possible, .... I've rigged a temporary mount for my power drill & priming tool .... and have a constant 50+ psi of oil pressure, while turning engine over by hand. Lifters should be pumped up fully, and pattern accurate.

Has anyone run into this situation before? I'm guessing that ..any discrepancy between lifters, could produce such pattern differences, as could, ... valves that are not the same exact length. The lifters are CC retro hydraulic rollers. I've recently learned that .....with these AFR 190's, the valve and rocker studs ... are not positioned inline with each other, which positions the rockers at an angle. This "twists" the rocker on it's axis, and a desirable front to back centered pattern, is not possible on the exhaust. I have accepted that fact, and settled on the best f to b pattern, obtainable, given the circumstances. However, I'd like to get the E to I pattern centered. I can purchase a few shorter pushrods, or slap it together as is, ...and let her rip. Yea or nay? Am I too much of an idealist?

Check the tips of your valves. More than likely the valve tips are higher on some than others depending on how far the valve seat was cut. On the last small block I put together, the intake valves sat up higher than the exhaust due to the hardened seats being installed. I ran .050 longer pushrods on the intakes than the exhausts to get the geometry right. I don't think its a problem to have to use different length pushrods to dial in geometry.