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Replaced Rocker arm but pushrod problem

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Old Dec 27, 2015 | 02:36 PM
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Default Replaced Rocker arm but pushrod problem

I had to replace one of my rocker arms because it broke so i bought a new one and checked the pushrod and it wasnt bent so when i dropped it in it fell down but not out of reach. about 1/4 of a inch out. i put the new rocker arm on but was wondering if i need to start the engine so the lifter can lift the pushrod or what do i do. when i turned the engine i could see the pushrod move slightly up and down. Help!
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Old Dec 27, 2015 | 02:52 PM
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Use a magnet to pull it out? Then make sure the pushrod is centered in the lifter.
You know how to adjust the new rocker...
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Old Dec 27, 2015 | 02:57 PM
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yea after i center the pushrod in the lifter how do i keep it up there without it falling back down? do i hold it there while someone starts it?
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Old Dec 27, 2015 | 03:03 PM
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It will not fall down it is supposed to rest on the lifter. And you will need to carefully follow the adjustment method.
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Old Dec 27, 2015 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by mikem350

And you will need to carefully follow the adjustment method.

Yep, the lifter will require one turn down for flat tappet cams and 1/2 turn down for roller cams.
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Old Dec 27, 2015 | 03:22 PM
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When you first slid it in it missed the lifter, you have to center it on the lifter and make sure buy looking at the other pushrods some will be about the same height. Next you need to adjust the rocker.
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Old Dec 27, 2015 | 03:54 PM
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I assume your rocker arm was an aftermarket Chinese-made rocker? I have heard of quite a few breaking which leads me to suspect they are too brittle to withstand the loadings imparted on them. Japan used to produce mostly junk in the 1950's and 1960's but now they produce the very best; something China will do eventually.
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Old Dec 27, 2015 | 04:07 PM
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the other possibility is the pushrod, due to the oil adhesion, pulled the lifter out of the bore. Do you see the lifter?
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Old Dec 27, 2015 | 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by toobroketoretire
Japan used to produce mostly junk in the 1950's and 1960's but now they produce the very best; something China will do eventually.
By the time that happens, none of us will have any money left to buy them.
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Old Dec 28, 2015 | 05:14 PM
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Ok so walking out the door to go get engine rebuild quotes n decided to just look down inside and found out the lifter wasn't there.... grabbed a long magnet n found out it was on the side. With patience n a steady hand I got the lifter back in place n the pushrod set n the rockerarm set. Should be good to go right?????
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Old Dec 28, 2015 | 05:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Newbuddy8914
Ok so walking out the door to go get engine rebuild quotes n decided to just look down inside and found out the lifter wasn't there.... grabbed a long magnet n found out it was on the side. With patience n a steady hand I got the lifter back in place n the pushrod set n the rockerarm set. Should be good to go right?????
did you rotate engine and properly adjust it or just screw it down?
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Old Dec 28, 2015 | 05:24 PM
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Just wrenched it all the way down... jk. No I counted the turns when I took the nut off and recounted them when I put it on just to get a rough estimate then I rotated the engine and did it all the right way.
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Old Dec 28, 2015 | 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Newbuddy8914
Ok so walking out the door to go get engine rebuild quotes n decided to just look down inside and found out the lifter wasn't there.... grabbed a long magnet n found out it was on the side. With patience n a steady hand I got the lifter back in place n the pushrod set n the rockerarm set. Should be good to go right?????
I think it's pretty unusual for a lifter to come out of its bore. I'd be concerned about that, and also why the arm broke. Maybe it was just a defective arm, and the sudden release when it broke let the lifter bounce up. I don't do this for a living; maybe an escaped lifter is a more frequent occurrence than I realize.
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
the other possibility is the pushrod, due to the oil adhesion, pulled the lifter out of the bore. Do you see the lifter?
looks like you had it right. That was my first thought as well
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 10:14 AM
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He did break a rocker arm there is always a chance the cam slapped it up and out of the bore If all is back together rotate the engine until you see that rocker assembly close and the ( exhaust or intake I have no idea which one you have the issue with. ) just start to open . Then adjust nut on rocker to zero lash and add 3/4 turn .. Start motor ..
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 10:26 AM
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After it's adjusted and started, check to see that the pushrod is spinning while the engine is running, if not you may have a lifter/cam problem.
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
the other possibility is the pushrod, due to the oil adhesion, pulled the lifter out of the bore. Do you see the lifter?
No way. You'd have better luck lifting a piano with a rubber band. Unless that motor is filled with Gorilla glue, you can bet the pushrod didn't pull it out.
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 12:07 PM
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It happened to me on a Pontiac, so please dont tell me it cannt happen. I had to remove the intake.
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 12:15 PM
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I usually twist the pushrods when I pull them for this reason. I've had them pull the lifter completely and also had several that lift it slightly before letting it fall back into it's bore.
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 02:18 PM
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same here.. it can happen
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