1950-53 Passenger W/powerglide push rod is 11 1/4" long. Part # 3835777
Also here is some good information from the 1949-53 Chevrolet shop manual about lifters and adjusting valves.
It says there is a certain amount of oil leakage between the plunger and the lifter.
It also talks about a small amount of "leakdown" is desiralbe for it eliminates the possibility of a "negative valve lash clearance condition.
Note: After the engine has been standing for a considerable length of time, a certain amount of valve lifter noise will occur when the engine is first started due to "leakdown" on those lifters which were holding valves open against spring pressure at the time the engine was stopped.
http://chevy.tocmp.com/1949_53shop/06engine/6_007.HTM Valve lifter noise
Hard rapping - stuck lifter
Moderate rapping - leakdown or clogged air vent in pushrod seat
General noise throughout - insufficient oil supply
http://chevy.tocmp.com/1949_53shop/06engine/6_010.HTM How to adjust valves.
Although it says 1 1/2 after zero, everyone says 1/4.
http://chevy.tocmp.com/1949_53shop/06engine/6_012.HTM Here's a good article.
http://www.speedprint.com/Deves50/valveadjust.php atomarc,
I agree with you about adjusting hydraulic valves on a V-8 with the engine running. That is pretty easy when the adjusting nut isn't bouncing up and down. On these 6's the rocker arm is on a shaft, and the arm is bouncing up and down. It's pretty difficult. It only took me 5 seconds to realize that I can't get a flat head screwdriver in the slot, let alone keep it there and tighten the lock nut.
