Make sure the bolt from the engine ground strap that goes in the head is not too long.   It actually goes into the push rod hole.

Pat Fleischman

Great...thanks

Found a rocker arm, set screw, and push rod for $20 so it will be here on Friday and go go go on Saturday.

Rod

1957 Thunderbird

312

The valve is probably ok. You can do a visual check. When you've replaced the pushrods, turn the engine by hand and make sure that is at about the same height as the others when closed and that it opens all the way with no signs of binding.


Lawrenceville, GA

Charlie,

Thanks for the clarification... Do you think I damaged a valve?  Looking inside does not seem to show anything.

R

1957 Thunderbird

312

How old is the gas?



The very last pushrod is for the exhaust. If that falls out, then the intake charge will fire and has nowhere to go. The excess pressure can bend the intake pushrod. I've done exactly that in the past.


Lawrenceville, GA

I have read all the posts regarding bent push rods but want to confirm I am thinking correctly. 

Took the bird out (312) for a drive yesterday.  Started to run rough and heard more of a clatter than normally.  Started to backfire (figured push rods since carb is new at this point)  Had to drive her home about (4 miles) and then took the valve cover off.  The last rod on #8 cyclinder had fallen out of it's position, Set screw was loose, the other push rod for #8 was now bent.  Now I had replaced them a couple of years ago (less than 500 miles) with the beefy ones. 

Am I safe in assuming that because the set screw came loose and the one fell out of position that this would have caused the other one to bend?  I bent several of them when I first got the car 2 years agoa.  It hink this was due to sitting for several years.  I just drove the car last week and all was fine.  If that is not it, any suggestions on to what might have cause this to bend?

Thank you in advance

Rod

1957 Thunderbird

312