Guys, my engine builder did a mock up of my valvetrain and gave me the lengths of the custom pushrods he said I needed. Normally, I wouldn't doubt the word of a pro builder but, this went against every thing I've ever heard. Tell me what you guys think...

Standard deck BBC(454 block)
Edelbrock Aluminum Heads
Crane Hydraulic Roller Cam
Federal Mogul Hydraulic Roller Lifters

According to my engine builder, these are what I need...
Intake pushrod length needs to be 7.550(stock is 8.280)
Exhaust pushrod length needs to be 8.700(stock is 9.250)

I thought all hydraulic roller cam/lifter sets needed LONGER than stock pushrods instead of shorter??? Especially with aftermarket aluminum heads that have thicker decks. This is my first experience with a roller setup of any kind so, I maybe way off base. Just want to make sure I get things right, ya know?

Hyd rollers use shorter pushrods. Those numbers look pretty close.
The std retrofit hyd roller pushrods are about 7.70 & 8.68

Yup, I totally agree... the roller lifters are taller than flat-tappets, about .4" in most cases, so the pushrods are always that much shorter. But to get a cam that's "bigger", you can't make the peak of the lobes taller because then it wouldn't be ablt to be installed, instead you make the heel of the lobe lower since lift is merely the difference between the 2. So you typically need longer than stock pushrods when going to a roller. So your lengths definitely pass the smell test.

Thanks guys! I guess I was mis-informed. Thanks for setting me straight.
Onward with the buildup!