Anybody got a few extra pushrods they want to sell? I just discovered that my '61 292 has two bent ones. Thanks, Alan S. Freeman P.S. One of the bent ones has apparently fallen down into the valley. Any trick to extracting it without pulling the intake? Thanks

Alan: You need to condider why they bent?. And are they standard O.E. pushrods?. Could be several reasons, including sticky valves, over revving the engine or has the engine been sitting a long time etc. Might want to consider replacing them all with H.D. ones. John Mummert Y-Block sells them amongst others..

Paul

Try with magnetic pick up tool with bending rod. Worked for us .

 Seppo from Järvenpää, Finland
www.hollowheads.net (just click the hole in the head to proceed)

If the valves that stuck are both intake, and the engine has been sitting awhile be sure to consider the fuel. Today's gas seems to evaporate faster and make gum a lot quicker than it once did. It will cause a lot more trouble than just sticking intake valves.



I have had good luck fishing the push rods out with a magnet or piece of wire with a tiny hook on the end.



Tom from the chiggerfarm located in the beautiful Heart of Central Texas

When you cannot dazzle others with your brilliance, baffle them with bullcorn!

I'll second or third the idea using the wire.



A metal coat hanger (do they still make them?) or a piece of 1/16 inch welding rod with a horseshoe shape (U) at the end ... then bend that at 90 degrees to the length of the rod...



It'll work . . .


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

That's the "special tool" I have for the job.


Lawrenceville, GA

Replacements should be available at your local parts store at nominal cost.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

tryed to send you a pm but your box is full,if you still need pushrods let me know how many and length Carl

Thanks for all of your replies. I was surprised to see how available the new pushrods are so I decided to replace all 16 with new ones rather than do it piecemeal. This is a low mileage rebuilt engine which had been sitting for 7-8 years before I got it running. The valve train is clean and free of any grease buildup and the oil is clean. I can only assume that a couple of valves must have momentarily stuck as none are stuck now. I have heard that pouring some automatic transmission fluid down the carburetor with the engine running can free up sticky valves. Is this a good idea or is there a better way? How much fluid should I use if I choose that method? Thanks, Alan