I have 799 heads that I'm going to be milling .030 and then throwing in a TR220. Do I need 7.375" rods if I use stock head gaskets?

 

Should be the closest you can get, but might check if you know anybody with the tool.

 

unfortunately I don't know anyone with the tool. It's not apart yet, just wanted to check and see before I start buying

 

bump, anyone else with advice?

 

The tool is like $20... not getting the right length can ruin your valve train. In this case I'd say better safe than sorry.

As a side note, if you're keeping the net lash rockers then I think that'll be pretty close.

 

I used a dial indicator that I got for setting up gears. I just tightened down the rocker until there was zero lash, then put the dial indicator on the rocker directly above and in the same direction as the pushrod then tightened the rocker the rest of the way down to see how much preload there was on the lifter. I had to get shorter pushrods. I think it was due to the LS7 lifters.

 

+/- .025 and youll be ok. Just get as close as you can. The ls7 lifters are .050" taller then stock 5.3 lifters, so they could take a little l
more pre load.

 

His sig makes no mention of rocker changes, so if he's using the net-lash system the pushrod length determines lash and preload. If he is running a set-up with rocker studs then he has more play. On a mild build I don't see a reason to go away from the stock rockers except maybe noise.

 

id say there stock rockers. stocker can hanlde some high power without a issue.

 

Agreed. Plus several companies, Harland Sharp and Comp to name 2, offer trunnion kits that give you a little extra peace of mind for dirt cheap. After my tune and in about 30k more miles I'm going back to LS6 springs and going to get some new rocker bearings installed.