So i have a 1988 F350 7.3 IDI non turbo. Recently, when hand tightening an injector into the no. 1 cylinder port, i cracked the head from the injector port all the way to the front of the head (see pictures). The JB Wells is just to hold the pieces together during return shipping for the core. I didnt think tape would hold very well. Long story short I have to replace the heads and I'm to the point of reinstalling them and when reading my Bible it talks about copper ends on the push rods. I have them pointed the same direction I took them out but I noticed that I don't have copper on any of my rods. Thoughts? EDUCATED opinions? I have no idea what has been done to this motor or not before i got ahold of it. I did do head gaskets once on this thing and I just put the push rods back where I had them. The copper end concerns me since i have found 2 a/c plug harnesses, found both positive and negative wires that terminate to nowhere, along with many other dumb things. Do these push rods interchange with any other motors? It would not surprise me if he took some out from somewhere else and put them in here. Did they do away with the copper ended ones at any point in time? I just need to know if I need to order new ones or if I can roll with these. None of them are bent so they're good but I read where the copper is supposed to be on one end so it doesn't damage the rockers. Any help is much appreciated. I'm basically at a standstill until I can figure this out. Thank you in advance. Pictures are attached. I also measured out my current push rods to give you am idea of what i have currently. Everything ran fine with them in there. I'm just thrown off by the copper or lacking of. These are the same push rods ive had for 3 years since i bought it and its ran fine the entire time.

 

As far as I know, theres no such thing as coper pushrod ends. Pushrods ends are harnened ***** that ride in hardened sockets and are lubricated by a constant flow of oil. If they were copper, they'd wear down and your lash would change.

 

If one end is copper coloured, that end I believe goes up to the rocker arm. I remember reading something about this a looong time ago, I think it was here on fte. The copper end is like case hardened or something? Search around on here, there should be more info on it unless I’m thinking of something else lol

 

Here ya go, did a Google search.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ford...client=gws-wiz


Charlie

 

Yes, some of the publications ive been able to get my hands on, have been much older than i am at 37. Also, thank you Charmalu and Prototypemech for the responses. I did know about the copper going up to the rockers but like Prototypemech said, not sure why they would use copper. Seems VERY stupid to design something so powerful with copper anywhere other than washers. I just wasnt sure about which end went up when the metal is the same on both ends. But now i have a follow up question. I read somewhere about the holes being different sizes on the different ends? Is that for suction purposes or is that even a thing? I could see where the oil coming into the bigger hole would get pushed out harder through a smaller hole, but it seems irrelevant. Thoughts?

 

Your ends look good. When they wear they get out of round and slightly pointed. Just put them back in and run it.

 

Thank you. I went as far as spraying them out with brake clean, like i do most things, and then sanding them down to clear coat or paint them. Not internal stuff but the rest of the parts yes, for the most part. Here are some current pics. Its all 2000° high temp ceramic paint. Thanks again for the input. Any other tips, or things people miss or get wrong when doing something this extensive, feel free to throw it out there. I know a lot but still have a TON to learn. Thanks again