real time help :2 of 12 push rods won't seat completly

[John McVicker]

'86 stock 2f

Problem:

#7 & #9 (statring at the fan & going back towards the firewall) push rods will not completly 'drop' into place. These two are arpox 1/8 inch from being completly seated, which does not allow me to adjust
these two valves.




I am putting the head back on after a valve job. Every thing else is going fine. All the push rods have been kept in order & all are the same length. My guess is that on these 2 push rods the 'cam followers' moved or are at least misaligned, thus not allowing the rods to fall into position. Anyone know if that makes sense ? And if so what is the solution ?

If my guess is correct does anyone know of another way to get the cam followers into position besides removing the side cover. Not a bad job but I have no new gasket & would like to avoid this. So far I have stuck in a long skinny screwdriver with no results. And why would these be out of position ?. Is it likely something else is wrong & I need to have a look see in the side cover anyway ?.

Any help would be appreciated.

John

 

[grant5127]

they may have hydro locked to the push rod and fallen back down in a cockeyed position during dissemble.....if your sure thats the problem....give one a good smack with a small hammer and see what happens.........if that doesn't reset one then side cover removal is unavoidable....

 

[John McVicker]

they may have hydro locked to the push rod and fallen back down in a cockeyed position during dissemble.....if your sure thats the problem....give one a good smack with a small hammer and see what happens.........if that doesn't reset one then side cover removal is unavoidable....

I think you might be right about going inside. Since my post I took that long screwdriver & felt around as best I could. It sort of feels like the tip of the screwdriver moves as if the follower has fallen sideways. If so my next trick will be with a magnet down the pushrod hole. Anyone know if both ends of the cam follower are the same ? If not this won't be such a good trick. I do think you are right but still trying to be creative about removing that sidecover.

anyone else ??

Thanks, John

 

[grant5127]

sometimes lifters accumulate carbon deposit build-up on the sides making them irritable..

 

[jp_waltz]

mine did the same when I was putting the head back on. 9 and 10 were the problem with me. I did exactly as grant5127 suggested. Just try not to get carried away. I gave mine a couple light taps and they were good to go.
Good luck,
Paul

 

[John McVicker]

mine did the same when I was putting the head back on. 9 and 10 were the problem with me. I did exactly as grant5127 suggested. Just try not to get carried away. I gave mine a couple light taps and they were good to go.
Good luck,
Paul

Yes, I've tried a little tap with no luck. I've now taken the side cover off & can clearly see the 2 lifters are not fully seated...each lifter is sticking up aprox 1/16 to 1/8 inch. Since both you and Grant have had luck with a little tap I will go out & while being careful, be a bit more heavy handed.

I am making the assumption that all (every one) of the lifters are supposed to be completley flush w/nothing sticking up....when viewed with the side cover off. Can anyone confirm this ??

Thanks, John

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

'86 stock 2f

Problem:

#7 & #9 (statring at the fan & going back towards the firewall) push rods will not completly 'drop' into place. These two are arpox 1/8 inch from being completly seated, which does not allow me to adjust
these two valves.

Been a while since I did this myself so sorry for the dumb question. But, any chance that you're on the intake stroke for cylinder 4 (with rod #7 pushed up to open the intake valve) and the exhaust stroke on cylinder 5 (with rod #9 pushed up to open the exhaust valve)?
Butt

 

[John McVicker]

Been a while since I did this myself so sorry for the dumb question. But, any chance that you're on the intake stroke for cylinder 4 (with rod #7 pushed up to open the intake valve) and the exhaust stroke on cylinder 5 (with rod #9 pushed up to open the exhaust valve)?
Butt

Yes, thats possible but I "think" I'm on the compression stroke but will verify tomorrow.

But wouldn't that explain only why I don't have enough room to adjust these 2 valves. I think the real problem lies with the fact these 2 pushrods are sticking up 1/8 inch higher than the others which doesn't leave me with enough room to adjust.... even with the adj. screw all the way out. And the reason for this I think, is that.... with the side cover off.... I can see that these 2 lifters (for these rods) are not fully seated & are also sticking up about the same 1/8 inch.

Seems strange to me that only these 2 rods (and lifters) are out of sync.

I will however, test out your thought tomorrow & will rotate the engine one more time to see if this makes any difference.

Thanks, John

 

[FJ40Jim]

There will always be 2 valves (& lifters)that are open at any point in the cam's rotation. So turn the crank and let those two lifters drop, then adjust them.

 

[John McVicker]

problem fixed

There will always be 2 valves (& lifters)that are open at any point in the cam's rotation. So turn the crank and let those two lifters drop, then adjust them.

A big thanks to all who helped. Chuck & Jim were of course right. This morning I rotated the crank....which dropped those two lifters and all is well. After a long day yesterday I was trying to 'out think' a very simple problem...which wasn't a problem after all.

But at least I got to practice R/R the dist., side cover (now I need to buy a gasket) & lifters. Thanks to this board I will know better next time.

Thanks, John

 

[jp_waltz]

Glad it was an easy fix(well, sort of)