Pushrods and Lifter Installation Info needed, ASAP.

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 25, 2007 | 03:50 PM

mrlightrail

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 74

Likes: 0

From: Maud, Oklahoma

Pushrods and Lifter Installation Info needed, ASAP.

Was in the middle of changing the oil pump on my 351M, and discovered a mangled pushrod in the oil pan. I'm going to pull the tappet covers and see if any are missing, but hoping that it was an old part from the rebuild. What I need to know, is how many pushrods/lifters do I need to replace to deal with this issue if one is bad/missing? The entire bank, the entire engine, or just the cylinder that has problems? Need to keep the costs down, I'm not working, and can't afford a lot of outlay on this truck right now. Going to order parts soon, so the sooner I can get an answer, the sooner I can go get parts....

Aug 25, 2007 | 04:12 PM

ubereal2

Post Fiend

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 9,111

Likes: 3

From: Lexington Mo

Been there 2

Been through that recently. Myself I'd replace ALL 16 pushrods, and lifters. I still have some noises that I can't get rid of, because I only replaced what I seen bad...........
Bob

Aug 25, 2007 | 04:48 PM

mrlightrail

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 74

Likes: 0

From: Maud, Oklahoma

Popped off the tappet covers, and discovered one pushrod missing, and another one bent. What would cause this issue? My thoughts are frozen lifters.

Aug 25, 2007 | 06:41 PM

twobitranch

Junior User

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 68

Likes: 0

First you should check the valves and make sure they aren't sticking. As long as they are all free then you need to check to make sure the pushrods are the right length on all valves. You can do this simple by rotating until the valve is closed completely and you should be able to turn the pushrod easily by hand but there should be no extra clearance with the rocker arm. Then rotate until the valve is completely open and take a pipe wrench (or anything else that will work for you) and see if you can move the rocker to open the valve a little more. As long as you can you should be okay. There is a good chance you could get away with only replacing the bad pushrods, but I would at least replace the lifters that go with them at the same time if you don't find anything else that has caused the problem. I just had a similar problem on my 400 and chose to replace all lifters and pushrods for insurance though. Good luck!

Aug 25, 2007 | 06:44 PM

mrlightrail

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 74

Likes: 0

From: Maud, Oklahoma

Got the intake manifold off, and discovered about 4 more bent push rods. On all bent rods, the corresponding lifter was stuck. (no spring action at all) I'm ordering all new pushrods and lifters for the truck. Should I replace the rocker arms as well?

Aug 25, 2007 | 09:18 PM

ubereal2

Post Fiend

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 9,111

Likes: 3

From: Lexington Mo

I didn't find anything wrong with my rockers on my 79 with the 400M, one bent pushrod, and one bad lifter. Wish I'd changed them all. Have a tick (Lifter) that is driving me crazy. As long as you're valves are opening and closing (nothing stuck) you maybe safe with the lifters and pushrods. Would get a good look at those rocker arms though...........

Aug 25, 2007 | 09:29 PM

mrlightrail

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 74

Likes: 0

From: Maud, Oklahoma

Does anyone know of a reference FAQ, or page that will give me instructions on how to put new pushrods and tappets in and get it all spec'd correctly so I don't have to do this again soon?