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bent / broke push rods

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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 06:26 PM
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Default bent / broke push rods

i have the oringinal 327 350 hp, but with different heads right for that motor, had motor cleaned up block clean & checked all ok, heads cleaned checked new valves & springs, everything else in motor is new, i put together got running ran maybe 15 miles & it started bending & braking pushrods, though timing off, checked but i think it was ok, is there anything else that would brake pushrods, they only went 10 over on pistons and cam is about stock, this makes no cents to me, hope someone can help thanks peter
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 07:45 PM
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How did it run prior to damage to the first pushrod?
And did you re-use the old pushrods or are they new?
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 07:48 PM
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Pushrods will only break or bend at reasonable RPMs if the valves are hitting the pistons .

Bill
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 08:07 PM
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Makes sense if you didn't check the valve train geometry, you can't just bolt on new heads without doing that. The pushrods are probably too long
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 08:12 PM
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it ran ok, i put new push rods in when rebuilt motor, after they broke i used the old ones, also i adjusted pushrods in stand, but # 3 piston, the push rod is still loose and that is the 1 that broke, the loose pushrod is know after the pushrod broke thanks peter
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by MotorHead
Makes sense if you didn't check the valve train geometry, you can't just bolt on new heads without doing that. The pushrods are probably too long
but # 3 piston, the pushrod adjusted all the way up is still loose
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 08:18 PM
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Just something else to consider...

I bent a couple of pushrods in my original 327 too.

It was due to the (pressed) rocker studs coming loose and in turn having the pushrod fall off the rocker and then jam against it.
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 08:20 PM
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Something has "gone solid" in your valvetrain. Check for coil bind and all other clearances (rocker/stud, valve seal etc.)

Common post-upgrade issue when clearances and geometry aren't checked :-(
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by OzzyTom
Just something else to consider...

I bent a couple of pushrods in my original 327 too.

It was due to the (pressed) rocker studs coming loose and in turn having the pushrod fall off the rocker and then jam against it.
mine are screw in and are tight
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by OzzyTom

It was due to the (pressed) rocker studs coming loose and in turn having the pushrod fall off the rocker and then jam against it.


Happens I always suggest replacing press studs with shoulderless screw-in studs if the heads are hot-tanked.
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by vett 68
but # 3 piston, the pushrod adjusted all the way up is still loose
OK, this is another issue entirely. How are you adjusting the valves?
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 08:55 PM
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the way all the vette books say to adjust with engine off you start with tdc adjust some intake and some exhaust the rotate 1 full turn to tdc and adjust the rest but # 3 push rods still loose thanks peter
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 09:16 PM
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Did you go back with a "solid lifter" cam? If so, your valves require adjustment with a feeler gauge. Only hydraulic lifters can be adjusted "by the book" you're using.
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by vett 68
the way all the vette books say to adjust with engine off you start with tdc adjust some intake and some exhaust the rotate 1 full turn to tdc and adjust the rest but # 3 push rods still loose thanks peter
I'd get a new book. I have built many engines in my time and never adjusted hyd or solid lifters this way. You either have coil bind or you are hitting a piston.
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 10:47 PM
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Youre not hitting a piston.
Check the other items as the other posters said.
If you got a set of cheapo pushrods those can give way too.
Had it happen to me with a set of .080 thick ones. 670 lift no piston to valve issues. First time I got on it then all bent, 1 broke.
Some look the part and are simply cheap junk.
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by vett 68
the way all the vette books say to adjust with engine off you start with tdc adjust some intake and some exhaust the rotate 1 full turn to tdc and adjust the rest but # 3 push rods still loose thanks peter
Peter, the fact that you had a "loose" pushrod wasn't a red flag to you? It should have been.

The only means to adjust the valves with 2 positions is the "companion cylinder" method. I used this very commonly, but it isn't always the right choice with extreme cams.

Here's a short post I wrote with how to do this - it requires that the mechanic effectively determine zero lash...and being honest, with you starting the engine KNOWING you had a "loose" pushrod, I would get some help with this. That sounds a little harsh, but I'm trying to help you avoid more issues. You STILL need to check all the valvetrain clearance and geometry before doing anything else...if you're not sure how to do that...again, experienced assistance is required. Post on the board here in your local forum and I'm sure one of the great folks here will step up.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1578518901-post7.html

This article provides more background on the approach:

http://www.carcraft.com/howto/ccrp_0...aft/index.html

Another approach that works with ALL cams is the "intake opening/exhaust closing" method - this is in virtually every service manual so shouldn't need to be restated here.

Again...you need to get some experienced assistance here before you break something big-time...if you haven't already
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by markids77
Did you go back with a "solid lifter" cam? If so, your valves require adjustment with a feeler gauge. Only hydraulic lifters can be adjusted "by the book" you're using.
no i don't have solid lifters
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 09:18 PM
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i found the loose pushrods after i tore the motor down, i didn't run the motor with loose pushrods, i'm smarter then that, i did adjusted the valves with the intake open/exhaust closing method ( that is when i found the loose pushrods the motor is still on motor stand, and until i can find the problem it will stay there i do thank everyone for the help there giving me peter
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