Started the engine...Broke the engine
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Started the engine...Broke the engine
I finished buttoning up my engine after a top end rebuild this evening. Since I installed a new cam I needed to run the motor at 1500 to 2500 RPM for 20 minutes according to the folks at Comp Cams. Missed my timing slightly on the first start attempt. Adjusted the distrubitor slightly and it fired right up. Sounded sweet. At about the 20 minute mark I decided to take it for a spin, knowing that the timing was still slightly off. As soon as I put it in gear the sound went sour. Adjusted the timing to 12 degrees before TDC initial, had been 36 degrees. The car ran OK, not wonderful. Never took it over 4000 RPM. While returning, the engine picked up a solid miss. Got it home and decided to adjust the valves. Off with the left valve cover and here's the miss. Bent pushrod, tip roller of the roller rocker bearings gone, off with the intake manifold, lifter in pieces. Now I just hope that I haven't damaged a valve too.
I swear that I didn't over tighten the rocker, but that's what causes this sort of problem. If it were easy everybody would have fast cars.
I swear that I didn't over tighten the rocker, but that's what causes this sort of problem. If it were easy everybody would have fast cars.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 12,431
Likes: 1
From: CT
Re: Started the engine...Broke the engine (1979toy)
dont worry, this happened to me about a couple hundred miles after a top end build. i dont think you bent a valve or anything. take the head off and have a shop check it though. that is what i did and they said there were no problems. put it back together and everything has been fine since.
how many tight did you tighten the rockers, mabey they were to loose. that is what i believe happened to me. i bent on rod to crap and hurt a few others. but there was no other damage to the motor. i did buy stronger push rods after that though.
how many tight did you tighten the rockers, mabey they were to loose. that is what i believe happened to me. i bent on rod to crap and hurt a few others. but there was no other damage to the motor. i did buy stronger push rods after that though.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Re: Started the engine...Broke the engine (1979toy)
Total bummer :(
Maybe the pushrod wasn't seated in the lifter properly :confused: ??? The thing that sounds alarming is the lifter being in pieces. Cracked or just the guts spewed out?
Next time adjust your timing ASAP and let the motor cool off before you take it for a spin. Possible that the timing is off (retarded) causing very hot condition during breakin.
Maybe the pushrod wasn't seated in the lifter properly :confused: ??? The thing that sounds alarming is the lifter being in pieces. Cracked or just the guts spewed out?
Next time adjust your timing ASAP and let the motor cool off before you take it for a spin. Possible that the timing is off (retarded) causing very hot condition during breakin.
