Push rod question
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 849
Likes: 14
From: Fayetteville, NC
Push rod question
Does it matter which way you put them back in? I took them out when I took the heads off and labeled them #1, #2 etc. but I don't remember 100% which way I took them out. Does it really matter if you spin them around and put them back in or is there a certain end that goes in first?? TIA
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.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Push rod question
Yep it matters. The only reason to keep track of where they went is to keep the same exact ball on the same exact surface. Are your lifters new? How badly worn are the rockers on the puchrod side?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 849
Likes: 14
From: Fayetteville, NC
Push rod question
No...I don't have new lifters. The bottom of the rockers didn't look that bad. What I'm talking about is taking a rod out turning it around and putting it back in. Will that affect anything?
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.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 443
Likes: 1
From: Athens, AL
Push rod question
no, the end that goes in first doesn't matter...in fact, if you have a lot of miles on the engine, go ahead and put them in upside-down...that will give you more wear out of them....you can tell which end is which by looking at the wear marks....the smaller wear pattern used to be on the lifter, so put them in with the small wear end up....
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,623
Likes: 342
From: Albuquerque
Push rod question
Right on rj.
1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6/4:11/Gear Vender O.D.
Crane hydralic roller, forged, ported polished,Deamon,Edlebrock, yada, yada, yada
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6/4:11/Gear Vender O.D.
Crane hydralic roller, forged, ported polished,Deamon,Edlebrock, yada, yada, yada
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Push rod question
I read once that (at least with the 351C), there is a dot at the end of each pushrod, and the dots must be up. I don't know the truth of it but apparently this came from ##### Johnson, who raced 351C's in the late 70's and early 80's. It was his diagnosis for this engine that had failed.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Push rod question
I look at it this way. Nothing wears perfectly so why put an pushrod end that is worn one way into a rocker arm or lifter that is worn another way. This will make things really start to wear. Pushrods are a little over a buck a peice bought separately and a little under a buck bought in a set. I would just buy new ones. If money is a factor you really have no choice in this case but to throw them in and hope they work out.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 849
Likes: 14
From: Fayetteville, NC
Push rod question
I read once that (at least with the 351C), there is a dot at the end of each pushrod, and the dots must be up. I don't know the truth of it but apparently this came from ##### Johnson, who raced 351C's in the late 70's and early 80's. It was his diagnosis for this engine that had failed.
You are correct. There is a dot at one end of each push rod. I noticed that last night while I was cleaning them. That helps more. Thanks. If they're that cheap though I just might scrap these and just get new ones. I won't have to replace the lifters will I? I hope not. I'm trying to save my money for a 460. That's where all the time and money will go to. I'm doing all this because I HAD to have the heads worked on. I need to keep this engine running for a while until the 460 is completed.
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.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Push rod question
THe only time replacing the lifters is an absolute must is if you replace the cam. If you are planning on replacing the motor in a short amount of time and don't drive a kazillion miles to work everyday go ahead and reuse the old pushrods if they aren't too worn. I though you were rebuilding it. Spend the money on some pushrods for that 460. That outta make that truck run.
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