Stupid question
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 850
Likes: 14
From: Fayetteville, NC
Stupid question
Does it matter which way a push rod goes back into the engine? I had taken mine out and while cleaning them I got to thinking. Does it matter if you flip them around and put them back in? I took them out and now I don't remember 100% which way they came out. I have a 99% idea though.
Robert
1978 F-150 4x4 Stepside 351M
Please don't pull out in front of me! The last thing I want to do is play identify the pieces with you or your car.
Robert
1978 F-150 4x4 Stepside 351M
Please don't pull out in front of me! The last thing I want to do is play identify the pieces with you or your car.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Stupid question
Depends on the engine. I don't know about the 351M but some engines do need the push rods in a specific oritentation. Usually it is obvious since the ends of the rod will be different.
On push rods that are uniform end to end, it is still probably best to keep the top and bottom the way they were when removed. If they are in excellent shape you probably are OK to use them whatever position they are in. The one thing I would not do is use pushrods from one valve train to another. Supposedly during breakin the parts of the valve train mate to each other and swapping might cause problems. No guarantee either way, just an increase(usually small to occasionally large) in the possibility of problems.
I would wait to hear from someone with 351M experience since they would know better than I can speculate.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
On push rods that are uniform end to end, it is still probably best to keep the top and bottom the way they were when removed. If they are in excellent shape you probably are OK to use them whatever position they are in. The one thing I would not do is use pushrods from one valve train to another. Supposedly during breakin the parts of the valve train mate to each other and swapping might cause problems. No guarantee either way, just an increase(usually small to occasionally large) in the possibility of problems.
I would wait to hear from someone with 351M experience since they would know better than I can speculate.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
Stupid question
Your biggest concern should be how well they were cleaned inside them. Also look for any sign that the tubes are spreading out where the ends are pressed into them, and whether or not they are bowed.
Both ends should be the same shape, but they can become clogged, restricting or preventing normal oil flow through them.
Since they are reasonably inexpensive, if you have doubts about the set you have, replace them.
And I'll warn you about this -
Make sure there is no solvent left inside the pushrods from the cleaning process, especially if carbuerettor cleaner was used to break up any gunk inside them.
Normally, I would use carb cleaner, then flush them out one by one by wrapping a rag around one end and firmly seating them in a water hose so that a reasonably high pressure stream of water flows through them for a minute or so. This also helps clean out any residue. Finally, a jet of air from a compressor ought to take care of anything else in 'em.
But if they are anything but completely clean inside, it's time to go see Greg and Shorty at the parts store...
Both ends should be the same shape, but they can become clogged, restricting or preventing normal oil flow through them.
Since they are reasonably inexpensive, if you have doubts about the set you have, replace them.
And I'll warn you about this -
Make sure there is no solvent left inside the pushrods from the cleaning process, especially if carbuerettor cleaner was used to break up any gunk inside them.
Normally, I would use carb cleaner, then flush them out one by one by wrapping a rag around one end and firmly seating them in a water hose so that a reasonably high pressure stream of water flows through them for a minute or so. This also helps clean out any residue. Finally, a jet of air from a compressor ought to take care of anything else in 'em.
But if they are anything but completely clean inside, it's time to go see Greg and Shorty at the parts store...
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Stupid question
Assuming you didn't sand or blast the rods, you can look for the ring aroundd the top end that matches up with the bottom edge of the head. It should be about a 1/2" wide band that doesn't get much carbon build up. This should be the top end.
Krosati
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