TheSamba.com :: View topic - very slightly bent chromoly pushrod advice

Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:43 pm

I have a chromoly Manton pushrod that does not roll perfectly true. When rolling it on a very flat granite countertop, the dead center of the pushrod has less than 1mm of clearance, but is noticeable. You can hear a faint wobble when rolling. The others do not do this. Would this be safe to use on a high performing engine? Is it going to be a weak point?

I don't think the bend is severe enough to cause catastrophe, but I would like to know everyone else' opinions.

Thanks in advance!

Tue Feb 11, 2014 12:06 am

REPLACE IT!!! Keep it as a back up if you really need it but dear god replace the stupid thing... It's only a few bucks when compared to replacing the valve train or worse the engine.

Tue Feb 11, 2014 12:09 am

trash...

Tue Feb 11, 2014 1:14 am

well damn the bad luck!

Tue Feb 11, 2014 5:44 am

Junk.

It is never worth the chance of trying to save $100 to keep from destroying a $5000 engine.

Tue Feb 11, 2014 5:53 am

Tue Feb 11, 2014 9:33 am

All you have to do is just straighten it out. Simple. Just support it on the ends with a 1/2" block of wood, find the high spot and tap it with a rubber/plastic hammer. With a little practice it is easy to get them straight. I was at the "Smith Brother's Pushrod" Company here in Bend Oregon and watched them make pushrods for my turbo engine and that's how they straighten them if they're not perfect to start with.

Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:11 am

Alot of people view TheSamba as a place to learn. How did your pushrod get bent? :shock:
Sorry man, couldn't help it. :lol:

Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:46 am

DUELLER wrote: Alot of people view TheSamba as a place to learn. How did your pushrod get bent? :shock:
Sorry man, couldn't help it. :lol: ditto!! and yes it can be straightened....for a spair just incase you effone up worse.a warped pushrod will change the lash as it rotates.I straightened some with no issues in MY CAR.I wouldent do it for anynbody elses car unless at the track&there was no other way to make the next round.....or on the side of the road....beats walking.

Wed Feb 12, 2014 11:24 am

DUELLER wrote: Alot of people view TheSamba as a place to learn. How did your pushrod get bent? :shock:
Sorry man, couldn't help it. :lol:

oh that Dueller...a real wise guy! Samba is full of wise guys! :lol:

To answer the question, I could say..."user error."

Perhaps, "an act of God"???

Wed Feb 12, 2014 11:54 am

here's a tip; when you are about to tighten the rockers and lash is at 0, get a long screwdriver and lift the push rod up at the lifter end. If the engine is flat on a stand or table, the PR can fall out of the lifter cup, and then gets bent when you tighten the rockers. Don't ask me why I know this.

Wed Feb 12, 2014 12:46 pm

[email protected] wrote: here's a tip; when you are about to tighten the rockers and lash is at 0, get a long screwdriver and lift the push rod up at the lifter end. If the engine is flat on a stand or table, the PR can fall out of the lifter cup, and then gets bent when you tighten the rockers. Don't ask me why I know this. yup,I try to lift then with my fingers or screwendriver so this dosent happen, when it does and it pops into the cup it can skeer the bejeebuss out of you!! and just think of what that did to the lifter/cam.....

Wed Feb 12, 2014 11:50 pm

John, thanks for the tip...did you get my email earlier by chance?

Thu Feb 13, 2014 2:45 am

And listen to the guys that are telling you to buy a new one - figure out how it bent and replace it. Even if you could get it straight, you have introduced a potential fail point - CroMo isn't very malleable and there may now be a fracture point created, even if high quality rods. ACN sells single rods, as does Berg.