So I've been really stoked with how things are going on my 52 cept' the motor was making this weird noise which sounded like a gremlin inside the pushrod cover (on the side of the ol 216) banging on it with a hammer every so often. I was getting spooked at the thought of the motor having a bearing going out or something along those lines, then it struck me that a lifter might just be sticking as this thing sat in a storage container for a lot of years, well long story short is I was running the car today flushing the crankcase and it started making the noise again so I whipped off the valve cover with it running and lo and behold you could see how tweeked one pushrod was. It was working ok but was turning every so often so the outside edge of the bent part was contacting the side cover and making the noise! I'm damn thankful I found out what the noise was, and even more thankful that it is not more serious. I'm pissed cause I just saw a set of cool 50s hot rod hollow rods on E-gay for the 216s and I did not get them as I was not thinking I needed them then......So no Paso for the Chevy but hopefully it will be at the Strangers BBQ..Anyone got any spare 216 pushrods?? Actually I think I only need one!
hollow pushrods are always gonna be stronger than solids,you might be able to swap in some from a 235.in the meantime,hammer that ****er back straight and re-install,it'll get you to paso and back.
Hammer it back into shape? Hell George thats to much work if a 5 cylinder is good enough for Audi its good enough for me I'll just pull the plug on the number 3 cylinder Work already torpedoed my Paso plan anyway so its going to be a mad dash down on Saturday morning and a one dayer for me so I'd rather wait and get the car really set up for the BBQ. I have some Fenton headers coming for it and some other goodies too...
A bent pushrod! sorry to hear that after all the work you've been doing on it, don't be a lazy ***....get fixin . I'll bet it bent on the initial fire up & either the lifter or valve is free now......straighten it & watch it with cover off again! see ya next week
did you switch camshafts? check that rocker make sure there is no damage , stuff usally doesnt just bend, unless its unhappy
you can get tubular push rods from Patrick's. $31/set http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/chevyparts.htm
Well I have a brand new pushrod coming and it should be here tomorrow so we'll see what happens. I think they bent it when reinstalling the valve train, or as Kev says on start up. It was running like a CHAMP even with the bent rod, valves were doing their thing with no problems. I'm going to also check all the clearances on the other valves too...
Amen, drive that thing to Paso! If she breaks I'll tow you home. I live in Aptos and will have a trailer handy in Paso if you need it. Besides it would be great to find another Norcal hot rodder to hang out with. Look for a rusty and green 54 chevy 2 door post with police caps and rallys with a green mex blanket for a seat cover. . My names Tim and I'll be there all three days. Catch you later, Tim
Tim: I'll keep an eye out for ya, but the Chevy is staying home. I just got a new pushrod today and guess what they sent the wrong one! The correct part should be here tomorrow morning so I'll see how that goes. Also just scored a Nicson intake with NOS carbs for the beast so that along with the Fenton headers should be done in time for the Strangers BBQ....I hope...
[ QUOTE ] hollow pushrods are always gonna be stronger than solids,you might be able to swap in some from a 235.in the meantime,hammer that ****er back straight and re-install,it'll get you to paso and back. [/ QUOTE ] I like the way you think George.
Well hell, I was looking forward to another half beaten *****in old Chevy to cruise with. What's the strangers picnic? Are Santa Cruzians invited? Tim
Have a look at that rocker and the rocker stud, in particular. I bent a pushrod (or two!) a few months back and turned out to be a gouged out press-in stud that had the rocker "falling" into the slot, sliding off the top of the valve and bending the pushrod. I quickly became a master of getting rocker covers and rocker off to straighten the pushrod and back on the road in 20 minutes!! Got sick of doing it though after 3 times in one drive to work!
Peddro, Yeah I'm going to really give the valve train the once over. this motor was rebuilt and I think they did not have the push rod seated in the lifter when the bolted down the valve train and bent it then. It is a very slight bend and I could hammer it back into shape but I'd feel better with a new one. Tim: Send me a PM with your address and I'll shoot you a flyer, the BBQ is a really cool low key affair and the Strangers are a really good group of folks. And there are some former Santa Cruzians a****st em. What are you running in your chevy?
327 and a turdo 350 trans. But only because I had it and the original stuff was welded into one solid m***. Sent you a PM for the flier. Cool & Thanks, Tim
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