Bent pushrod problems

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Aug 19, 2005 | 01:34 PM

lou-2

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Bent pushrod problems

Need help on this one,have a 56 T-Bird with the 312 engine I had the rocker arms off to replace the valve seals,afterI put new seals in and replaced the rocker arms adjusted the valves cold.I ran the engine 1/2 hour and re-ajusted the valves .oo19 as it states in manual, I found a bent pushrod on # 1 cyl. when I got ready to put on new valve covers and button it up.The pushrod came off and almost went into block,I was able to retrive it without it dropping into block,.
Thanks,
Lou

Aug 19, 2005 | 02:31 PM

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Aug 21, 2005 | 07:41 AM

57_ford

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From: Maryland

Lou,
Did you adjust the valves to .0019 or .019 their is a big difference their? Also did you rotate the engine so that the valves were closed when you adjusted them? I like to adjust each cylinder on it's compression stroke (both valves closed piston at tbc) Also on that #1 cylinder it is possable that if a to long of a bolt was installed in the intake manifold it will hit the push rod and bend it.

Aug 21, 2005 | 02:23 PM

lou-2

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Sorry about that it was .019 I brought#1 cyl. to top dead center both valves close and adj. Both intake and exhaust .019 then adj. valves as described in manual. After checking and re-checking all valves, I started engine, let run 1/2 hour and re-checked valves, all seemed fine. I then adj. carburator and raced the engine a few times then went to button up valve covers with new gaskets and found the #1 intake push rod had bent and came off seat. could this push rod have had a slight bow in it from previous damage? I don't understand why this would happen unless this push rod had previous damage. I have had problems with push rods coming off in the past. It does not seem that my cam is off. Time, when I had #1 TDC both valves were closed, and all my valve adj screws are equal on both banks. I do have (2) vavle adj screws that need to be replaced but they are on #7 and 8 cyl. (Maybe to be on the safe side I should replace all pushrods with new ones? the intake bolt seems to be the right one.

Thanks

Aug 21, 2005 | 07:53 PM

57_ford

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From: Maryland

Are the rocker arms getting plenty of oil? Are your adjusters self locking?
It almost sounds like the rocker arms and shaft may be worn. They also can be installed up side down. I would buy new push rods after you figure out what is going on. Has this engine sat for a log time?

Aug 21, 2005 | 11:13 PM

lou-2

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I run the engine every few months to keep the seals from drying out,untill I get some other repairs done so I can get it back on the road.The adjusters don't have any type lock nut,it takes some muscle to turn the ajustments ( except # 7-8 cyl.I put the rocker arms on the same side as I took them off,there is plenty of oil getting to the rockers so I don't think they are switched.
Lou