YES. They have to be removed to get the gaskets out from behind them.
Take off the valve covers on the top end of your engine. Remove the rocker arms and the push rods will free up. Pull each push rod out one by one inspecting each to see if any of them are bent. For re-installation prep the heads by cleaning any residue on the housing. Inspect rocker arms as the new push rods have to re-seat unless you purchase new rocker arms. Replace gaskets and seal with RTV after the arms and rods have been properly torqued. Good Luck!
PUSH rods and rocker arms... yes.
do you have to remove lifters on heads in order to replace gaskets? No only the puch rods if it is a non overhead cam engine,
How do I change from standard rockers an push rods to roler rockers
long ones are exhaust
The rocker arm.
Remove the 2 screws and pull the handle out enough to disconnect the 2 rods. Hook up the rods and install the screws.
The longer ones are the exhaust, they should go into the hole further away from the ports, the shorter ones are the intake, they go closer to the ports.
Yes, to access the tappets(lifters) you have to remove the cylinder head.
Being an overhead cam engine, a Neon doesn't have push rods.
Double check the new push rods, they come in many lengths.