1 of these things doesn't belong here, 1 of these things just isn't the same..

[mr. fix it]

And now it's time to play the game, It's time to play the game.....

For those of you who grew up watching Sesame Street, you know the tune and it is now stuck in your head! :yaayy::yaayy::yaayy:

Seriously, I noticed this issue when tearing my beloved 318 Poly down yesterday..

Seriously Elmo is sad about this..and a bit bewildered.. why only one nothing else looks out of sorts.

 

[mr. fix it]

It's the #2 intake push rod.
I'm investigating further..

 

[has2bmopar]

Old gas causing sticky valves = bent pushrods... :yes:

If you can't find anything in stock, Smith Brothers can build you whatever you need.

 

[mr. fix it]

I've not heard of this before but if sticky enough I can understand your comment..

This engine is very gummed up as seen here.

I still have to tear the cylinder head to see if the valve is bent.

 

[detmatt]

How many miles are on it?

 

[commando1]

Solid lifters??

 

[mr. fix it]

How many miles are on it?

77,000 miles

 

[mr. fix it]

Yes solid lifters as well.

 

[mr. fix it]

The rocker arm rack was pretty gummed up as well.
Took me a bit to get the first one apart.
Once I sprayed the rack with carb spray the came apart relatively easy.

 

[commando1]

Yes solid lifters as well.

There ya go, then........

 

[mr. fix it]

Solids gum up typically?
Here I thought it was lack of regular oil changes..

 

[commando1]

Solids gum up typically?
Here I thought it was lack of regular oil changes..

No. Somebody cranked down too hard when adjusting the valves.

 

[mr. fix it]

No. Somebody cranked down too hard when adjusting the valves.

A very plausible theory..

 

[has2bmopar]

If you adjusted the valves too tight it would just run out of clearance and open the valve, and even if it was not letting it close, the stock cam would not have the lift or duration for a piston to reach the valve. There would not be enough adjustment on your rocker (with a stock cam and pistons).

You should be able to look at your rocker shaft to notice a huge difference in adjustment. Likely if someone was adjusting valves improperly (way too tight, leaving them open some degree at all times), they would have adjusted them all the same, and the engine wouldn't even run.

When a valve sticks from sitting long term, or had run on old gas, the exposed varnished or rusty stem on a closed valve will be forced into the guide where it will stick, likely wide open with the spring not being strong enough to close it, then the piston comes to make a hasty visit. I have done this myself a couple times. I no longer trust more than 3 year old gas to run anything. It will seem to run fine the 1st time, then when it sits and cools off, the varnish will seize things like no other.

 

[300cruiser]

Luckily a tank of gas doesn't last long in a 440 BB :icon_jook:

 

[mr. fix it]

Humph.. I would think that I would bend a valve quicker than a push rod.
But that's why i need to pop the valve out to see what it looks like.
Whatever is the weakest link takes the hit. better a push rod than a valve.

 

[coronet66jj]

If it was my project I think it would make sense to dismantle all valves for cleaning and seal replacement, checking condition of guides and valve stem clearance . if it was mine, I'm just saying, eh?

 

[mr. fix it]

If it was my project I think it would make sense to dismantle all valves for cleaning and seal replacement, checking condition of guides and valve stem clearance . if it was mine, I'm just saying, eh?

It would be prudent to do just that.
I have purchased a new engine to replace this one.

 

[thrashingcows]

Humph.. I would think that I would bend a valve quicker than a push rod.
But that's why i need to pop the valve out to see what it looks like.
Whatever is the weakest link takes the hit. better a push rod than a valve.

I spoke to an old timer at the drags years ago. He only ran old/stock push rods on his BB mopar motors. That was his exact reasoning....he wanted those to be the weakest link in his motor. Much cheaper, and easier to replace a pushrod. ;)

 

[commando1]

Ah. The Fusible Link of the valve train. Makes a lot of sense.