What causes rods to bend?

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2...7081619js4.jpg
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/3...7081620bq8.jpg


Also, it looks like one of them punched a whole in the block somewhere. But it seems to be on the interior somewhere. Any chance of salvaging this block?

 

You may want to retitle this 'bent pushrods'. I thought you had bent connecting rods:P

The way those pushrods are bent, I'd say it's from valve-piston contact. So either over-revving, improper cam timing (timing chain jumped a tooth?), or valve spring failure.

What do you mean one of them punched a hole in the block? Where? They shouldn't be touching the block at any point, even bent like that.

 

Well the chunk of metal I found in the oil pan had a divit in the middle of it. I am thinking thats from the end of a push rod.

 

What is the history on the motor? When my car jumped timing bent 1/2 thepushrods - either on intake or exhause side (can't remember). You sure it is metal chunks? Older timing chains had plastic around them that gets brittle and cracks off and drops into pan.

 

I've had it for about 2 years. It has sat for the whole time. The previous owner test drove it once before buying, then it sat in a field for almost 2 years. I finally got the engine started about a month or 2 ago. I ran it for about 1 minute. Then I went to change the oil, dropped the pan to get the slunge out, found this chunk of metal in there, about the size of a dime. Also noticed that I had oil coming from the back of the engine somewhere, but only when the engine was running. Not while just sitting. So I was going to replace the intake manifold gasket and then found all these bend rods this weekend.

I am going to try to pull the heads off this week. Hopefully I can see where this chunk of metal came from. It is looking like I gotta pull the engine at the very least though. I have the exchaust down pipes disconnected. Wonder if I gotta pull the manifolds off 1st? I dont think I can get to all of the bolts.

I have been doing some reading and it seems that Ford FE's are known for this stuff.

 

At high rpm's, a weak push rod will "pogo", that causes a seperation between the lifter, push rod, and rocker arm. When it all comes back together, the tip of the push rod is usually not seated correctly, cause the push rod to bend. Or the rocker arm falls off the end of the push rod. The the pushrod flails around in there, usually ending up lying in the lifter valley. If it falls further down towards the oil pan it will probably come in contact with the crank or rods, and then it really gets bent.

If the vale contacts the piston hard enough to bend the push rod, it will also bend the valve stem. The the cylinder won't seal.

 

Here is that other post with pictures of what I found. That round piece was sitting on top of the windage tray, towards the back. The worse bent pushrods were on the #7 and #8 cylinders.

https://mustangforums.com/m_4953335/...tm.htm#4953335


bob: thanks for the explanation. Much appreciated. I found all of the pushrods, still in their holes, hadnt gotten that far down yet. Granted one was short enough to pull it out by hand.

 

I'm just throwing this out there, but that piece of metal looks like your push rod punched through a lifter. All you lifters intact?

 

What size engine is it? Can't be remember but you may be able to get to lifters w/o pulling heads. Should do a little research. I couldn't on my 351 Cleveland but I thought you could on 302 and 351 Windsors.May be wrong but someone will correct me I'm sure. Also,may want to check timing chain while you are at.When mine went it was after starting up hearing what I thought was a lot of lifter noise (bent pushrods) and then it died. With blow back thru the carb. Good luck!

 

groho: I'll check to see if I can see all of the lifters tonight.


palerider: sorry, its a 390 FE. With the intake manifold removed I can see the area where the lifters go.


I did try to pull some of them out, but they are stuck in there. Some came out real easily. I was mostly looking to see if the type of metal was the same as what I found in the oil pan. It might be. Thanks for all the input. I'll report back later tonight with the lifter info.