428 FE Bent Pushrod and groud-down rocker adjustment nut!

I need some input on this. The engine is a '66 428 built to Cobra Jet specs with a solid lifter cam. It was built in 2002, and sat just until we fired it up in our car a few months ago. It's been running fine, but all of the sudden it started popping out the carb a little and running a little rough. I pulled the valve cover, and on the #4 cylinder the rocker adjustment nut on the exhaust side is ground right down with metal shaving everywhere, and the intake side pushrod is bent. Any reason for this? I heard this is a common thing with FE's that have been sitting for some time. Could the cam have been hurt? Not sure if I should start by just replacing the two pushrods and adjustment nuts, or do the cam as well?? Any thoughts?
-Dean

 

Pic would help..I have a 427FE rocker in my hand and there is no "nut" per say, just the hex on the end of the threaded adjuster..Generally a push rod bends because of undue load; stuck valve/high rpm/lotta spring...

 

Had that problem once. The threads in the rocker were worn. The adjuster would back it self off. This would cause the ball on the bottom of the adjuster to come out of the top of the push rod.It would get caught on the top shoulder of the push rod causing unwanted load and bend it.The pouncing around caused metal shavings.Not saying thats your problem , but is was mine.

 

Are you getting oil up there? You should tear it down to clean all the metal out. Measure the cam and eyeball the suspect lifters. Lots of things can cause problems like this.I wouldnt call it a normal FE problem. Good luck.

 

FE's have a few common issues you should check. Rocker shaft ends can break if there's too much seat pressure, too much lift, or a weak shaft. Interference where pushrods go through holes in the intake can side-load the pushrod, and yes, an adjuster can back off reeking havoc. Which is it? Could be one or a combination. Check your rocker geometry and billet end stands are a good investment.

 

The adjuster that had the "ball" chewed off was backed out pretty far and quite loose. The other adjuster looks ok, but the pushrod is bent slightly to one side, enough where it is no longer seating with the adjuster properly. This engine sat for 20 years, so I'm thinking a valve stuck and caused the bent pushrod, and the other one simply loosened up too much? Most of the metal shavings are right up top, I don't think much got down in the motor..
-Dean