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Bent Push Rods

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Old Jun 17, 2003 | 06:09 PM
  #1  
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Default Bent Push Rods

Well, twice in the past 2 months I have had to put my 2000 coupe in the shop for bent pushrods. Both times it was the #2 and #4 Intake Valves. Is this something to expect with performance enhancements ? Has anyone else experienced this type of problem. Both times this has occurred I was under heavy accelleration in 2nd Gear don't believe the engine over-reved, simply felt a slight pause in power and then the engine continued to accellerate. However, the valve train noise was not to be believed. Every hear a engine run with no oil in the top end ?? :confused:
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Old Jun 17, 2003 | 08:30 PM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (ICUALL)

What kind of performance inhancements?
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 12:23 AM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (ICUALL)

All were external to the engine - Breathless Intake System TPI Headers, Magnaflow x pipe, Corsa Exhaust, Nology Wires
:cheers:
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 12:45 AM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (ICUALL)

I have seen F body LS1's bend them but not Corvettes :nonod:
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 12:58 AM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (ICUALL)

Looks like a problem, I don't see how a few bolt-ons could cause that repeatedly if you didn't over-rev. I have heard of no one on here having any problem with pushrods, ecspecially stock upper-end.
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 01:16 AM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (ScreaminDemon)

Looks like a problem, I don't see how a few bolt-ons could cause that repeatedly if you didn't over-rev. I have heard of no one on here having any problem with pushrods, ecspecially stock upper-end.
:iagree:

The Factory Pushrods on the C5 are VERY strong..I've never heard of this problem occuring on a Vette.
You may want to have your valve geometry checked out .

Good Luck !

:cheers:

Jeff
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 01:38 AM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (BLUTHUNDER)

Another puzzleing issue is that it is happening with more than one rod on a different intake valve. Would be easier to accept if it was only happening to one specific location.
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 01:58 AM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (ICUALL)

I bent the #5 intake on my 2000 C5. I misshifted into a lower gear drag racing. I replaced it in about 45 minutes. Simple fix with simple tools. I've only heard of pushrods bending a couple of times when a misshift is not involved. Very Rare.

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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 02:05 AM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (ICUALL)

Are you downshifting 3->2 just before the hard acceleration? I mean could you be over-reving on the downshift? Just a thought. :confused: OOPS-KEWLBRZ beat me to the post.... :D


[Modified by binksZ06, 2:06 AM 6/18/2003]
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 03:53 AM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (ICUALL)

I have had the same problem and worse. WIth similar bolt ons I bent one last year, this year bent one and broke another, which messup one head.
Contrary to an above post, I have talked to several LS1 owners/shops who agree the stock LS1 pushrods are notoriously WEAK. THey work great at stock hp under normal driving conditions. I make 6-12 trips to the strip a year, and I do drive the car hard (why i bought it right?).

I would recommend that anyone who is even just starting building up hp mods to change out those wimpy pushrods, it's much cheaper than buying new heads! I was able to at least afford a set of LS6 heads, but nothing ported or anything. CompCams makes a nice set of chromoly pushrods for the LS1 for around $150, not to mention a whole set of replacement valves, valve seats, retainers and rocker sets.
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 01:27 PM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (IFLUBYU)

They are Weak and often refered to as "fuses"

My 98Z was runnig consistant 107 MPH and after a 3-2 shift at WOT on the highway, I could only manage to run 104 MPH through the traps. They were only slightly bent as well, nothing like the pictures above.

Trickflow sells a set 7.400 for $80
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 01:42 PM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (HurricaneZ)

You should know that the rev limiter only works when up-shifting. It does not work when downshifting. Many F-bodies (including mine) have bent push rods by down shifting into too high RPM's. This could be your problme. I assume you have a MN6.

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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 06:01 PM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (123Gone)

Thanks for all the postings and Information, I am now looking seriously at having the heads reworked with a replacement of all the Stock Valve Train Components. The local dealer's mechanics said that simply replacing the pushroods without doing the valve springs etc. would simply be asking for more trouble the next time. Apparently I was lucky that I did not damage more than just bending the rods.

Could I consider using Z0-6 heads along with having a tuner rework them ?

Anyone had work done in the Houston / San Antonio area ? Recommendations on where to have it done, I am at the end of the world here in Corpus Christi and have found no tuners that I would trust my Vette to.

:cheers: :cheers: :flag
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 06:20 PM
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Default Re: Bent Push Rods (ICUALL)

MTI in Houston has a GREAT reputation.
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