Motorcycle Repair: shovelhead pushrod length, 1972 flh, new bikes

Question
Hi Mike. I am helping a friend put his 1972 flh back together after installing an andrews stock replacment cam. He adjusted the pushrods and installed s&s carb later when i was not there. This was done per HD repair manual to wet hydrolic settings. When he tried to start the bike it turned over very hard with full charged battery and sounded like something was wrong to him. I came over and we checked valve adjustment only to find a bent rod on rear exhuast. We next removed all rods and tappets. I cleaned tappets and re-installed them. Another friend gave us a set of aluminium rods labeled 66-84 shovel. These rods are three shorter and one long bye 1/4". All new are shorter than shortest steel rods. Original steel rods have two short and two long measured at ball tip to threaded end. Are these rods correct? If so where do they go? Also do you think we might now have a bent rear exh valve? Manuel says to install rods in original locations but nothing about different lenghts. All shops in my area of MA/NH will not answer any questions and tell me to bring it in. Even HD dealer where i have purchased mine and wifes new bikes and thousands of $$$$$$$$$ in clothing and chrome will offer no help! Any advice to get this classic piece of american history back in the wind would be awesome. Thanks from MIKEYBOY   PS I see you have a shop. Do you have a website where i can see your builds and purchase any custom parts unique to your shop?

Answer
First, when installing the pushrods you should bleed the tappets to make sure they are not pumped up all the way. So if you havent done this already I would. the bend pushrod would indicate that the the valve hit the piston, so I would check the valve as well as the piston to make sure that there is no damage to either one. I dont think I would use the pushrods that were given to you. It sounds like they are to short and you might run out of threads. If you get a new set the longer ones go to the exhaust valves.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike