390 push rod instlation problem
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 25
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From: Key west Florida
390 push rod instlation problem
Hello,
I installed a factory rebuilt eng from advance autoparts and had to remove the push rods to install the intake manifold. I loosened up the rocker arms and pulled the push rods out of the eng from advance, just set them (in no order) on the floor
and installed the intake manifold and then just started grabing rods (in no order at all) ( I think now that maybe I should of marked them on placement of removal, but I dint think that it mattered because I think that they are all the same length because its a newly reman eng from the store...) what do you think?
so, I reinstalled the rods and then tightened down the rocker arms about 30in lbs by feel and not with a tourque wrench.
my questions are:
#1: did it matter what push rods go where (if they come from the factory) ?
#2: does the tourqe matter that much on the rocker arms (they are all hooked together by a rod and mounted on mounts that hold the rocker arm shaft)
#3: do I have to do valve adjusting and use a feeler guage. ( I dont think that I have to because: if I understand the book right, you dont have to if you didnt replace anything.)
and any else info would be cool to, thanks guys...
Angel.
I installed a factory rebuilt eng from advance autoparts and had to remove the push rods to install the intake manifold. I loosened up the rocker arms and pulled the push rods out of the eng from advance, just set them (in no order) on the floor
and installed the intake manifold and then just started grabing rods (in no order at all) ( I think now that maybe I should of marked them on placement of removal, but I dint think that it mattered because I think that they are all the same length because its a newly reman eng from the store...) what do you think?so, I reinstalled the rods and then tightened down the rocker arms about 30in lbs by feel and not with a tourque wrench.
my questions are:
#1: did it matter what push rods go where (if they come from the factory) ?
#2: does the tourqe matter that much on the rocker arms (they are all hooked together by a rod and mounted on mounts that hold the rocker arm shaft)
#3: do I have to do valve adjusting and use a feeler guage. ( I dont think that I have to because: if I understand the book right, you dont have to if you didnt replace anything.)
and any else info would be cool to, thanks guys...
Angel.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 39
From: suburban atlanta
#1 Too late now..... After the engine has run, if you do anything like this again, keep them in order as they wear 'into' each other. Lifters must be replaced in the same spot or you will be buying a cam and lifter soon. You should be VERY sure the pushrods were exactly the same length or #3 will be a problem.
#2 You should tighten the rocker arm pedestal bolts equally. Do each bolt 1/2 turn at at time, and try to borrow or buy a torque wrench unless you have worked on engines long enough to know how tight things should feel.
#3 The lifters are 99.99% likely to be hydraulic, unless you ordered a solid lifter engine, and should need no adjustment. The pushrods can be different lengths to adjust the lifter to the middle of its travel (internally), which is the second reason to keep them in order...
They will sound real loud when you first start the engine. They should quiet down in a few minutes. The pushrods should be spinning like crazy when the engine is idling. Many say to run the engine at 2000 rpms for 20 minutes or similar when breaking in a new cam & lifters. I'd look at the Advance instructions for their suggestions in that regard.
tom
#2 You should tighten the rocker arm pedestal bolts equally. Do each bolt 1/2 turn at at time, and try to borrow or buy a torque wrench unless you have worked on engines long enough to know how tight things should feel.
#3 The lifters are 99.99% likely to be hydraulic, unless you ordered a solid lifter engine, and should need no adjustment. The pushrods can be different lengths to adjust the lifter to the middle of its travel (internally), which is the second reason to keep them in order...
They will sound real loud when you first start the engine. They should quiet down in a few minutes. The pushrods should be spinning like crazy when the engine is idling. Many say to run the engine at 2000 rpms for 20 minutes or similar when breaking in a new cam & lifters. I'd look at the Advance instructions for their suggestions in that regard.
tom
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Royse City TX
YES torque matters! You need to be as close as possible! Buy a Haynes Manual for your truck. I didn't pay any attention to the push rods on my 390fe when I rebuilt it a month ago! I proly should have but have of them were new (and it spanks Dodges)! You need to make sure that all your bolts are at the right torque EVERYTHING. Rockers, heads, intake, valve covers, everything. These engines are notorious for leaking oil and you should take all the precautions to prevent it. Plus I'm pretty sure that the rockers are supposed to be at 40-50lbs! All the pushrods on mine were the same length. The lifters on mine also rode the cam directly and needed no adjustment. I'd put money on tightening the rockers to the right torque and your intake to the right torque. You may have bent a push rod?
