Tricky Trixie Combat valve train question

I'm tired of stupid leak and blow out prone gaskets anywhere in my Cdo's [but rocker and TS engine covers] so want to eliminate last gasket in other wise all factory Trixie. How much should pushrods be shortened,? I'm guessing .040" for Combat head shave and another .040" for missing gasket? Any worry about valve piston clash w/o a base gasket either? Logic implies .090" to .10" shorter should approach more optimal push rod rocker geometry.

Sounds about right to me, the general rule on VT geometry is that it's better to be too short by a lot than too long by a little. IIRC it has always been regarded as difficult to check the geometry due to the enclosed nature of the Norton head. Interesting.
Cheers, Martin

I put some -.090" pushrods in my combat - bought them ready made, but will have to check where again. Can't say it improved any oil leak, but should cure the exhaust valve guide wear issue - maybe that's the oil lead you are referring. The silicon rubber rocker cover gaskets are a major failure with leaks and I went back to fiber type and gasket sealer. Still getting quite a bit of leak at the bottom of the timing side....I think it's the Goodrich stainless rocker feed pipe. I notice it doesn't make a good seal at the banjo where the pipe screws in. Going back to a plastic stock pipe as I never had leak problems with that.

Alrighty Martin double relieved with David's back up, at least on the .090" shortening. Forced Fixing flats is only mechanics I look forward too or competent at. Don't know if shaved Combat head needs gasket for piston/valve clash nor want to risk trying to find out on my own so thot occurred I could put on Peel's small port unshaved head and foregetabout a long time. Peel's Y headers were tuned to that head and lighter and less crash prone and Viking set still a total pain after severe grinding and creasing bending, so extra spunk would tempt me to higher speeds to put on higher flowing 34 Miki Carb which would tempt me to higher rpms which would tempt me to use Peel re-enforced cases which would tempt me to exceed untamed isolastics which confuses me no end on a hobby.

Wes with Trixie replacing ammo on way home