VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Bent Pushrod

While adjusting the valves in my '37, I noticed that one of the push rods is slightly bent. What type of noise if any would the bent rod make? I hear a rattle type noise above 30 MPH. How do I change the push rod? I am told there may be a retaining clip and spring at the bottom of the rod against the lifter and the side plate has to be removed in order to get at the clip. I would appreciate knowing if the noise I hear is caused by the bent pushrod.

Sounds like your bent push rod is hitting against the side of the push rod cover. In doing so it would make a "tapping" or a "rattle" sound. This is a common occurrence with a bent push rod.

To replace your bent pushrod, loosen the adjusting nut and ***** , push the rocker arm down the shaft in the direction of the tension spring. Grasp the pushrod and while putting lateral pressure on the rod withdraw it. Replacing the pushrod may prove to be a bit tricky, however you can tell by the height wheather it is seated in the depression in the lifter or off to the side. Patience will prevail. Make a course adjustment of the tappet clearance, run the engine and when totally warmed up make the final tappet adjustment.

It would be interesting to see what word Ray used that was zapped by the ******s......

If your 1937 has the original valve lifter assist springs it will be necessary to remove the side cover to replace the push rod.Many times the lifter springs and retainers were discarded when a valve job was done.If they are not used the stiffer 1938 and up valve springs must be used.To make noise the push rod would need to be bent a lot and you would feel it hitting the side cover.Its not unusual to see one of the push rods wobbling a little.If necessary it could be straightened.
.If you do as Ray suggested and the push rod pulls out the lifter assist springs have been removed.

Thanks for the responses. I was kind of hoping that the noise I have been hearing was only the push rod! I guess the best thing to do would be to remove the side cover and take a look, possibly one of the springs or retainers is loose or broken.

I believe, because I've seen it before here, the word is "S.C.R.E.W." (dots added in order to get this sequence of letters to show up). Due to some moronic reasoning or latent fears, in my opinion, the powers to be have decided that word "s.c.r.e.w." might be used in a s.e.x.u.a.l. connotation and decided to have that word (and others) automatically ****'d out. It's just plain stupid and wrong to not allow the word "s.c.r.e.w." to be used on a site that deals with things mechanical. Even if the word "s.c.r.e.w." was used inappropriately here, I doubt any of us would keel over with shock. Have the VCCA Censorship Police ever been out in the real world and heard what today is routine language in public and on TV & radio ???

Thanks for letting me vent.....I feel better now, even tho' this will probably be deleted!!
-Bob

I have even heard worse words than that

Johnragu-Try preventing the push rod from turning and see if it affects the noise.Gently hold it with a vise grips or something.If you need any of the internal parts-lifter spring-the C retainer etc. I have extras.

Yes, Bob I do agree that words used here should reflect their usage as associated with our hobby , Is there a politically correct word for scrrew and fourd? Maybe Billy BaRRRker was having fun with his "tools" I guess TOOL would be suspect? I guess if I mess up I can say "I Bolted up?".... Ha! and ARF! ARF! and
Bow!Wow!

Of course........you could always say "Dorf" instead of "F--d". Means the same thing....right? :eek:

How about 'nuts, ball, skirt'? Maybe we should have an FAQ for the automtive terms not permitted on the VCCA board?

Maybe we could coin some substitute words like 'rotator' for s*rew? The list could be dubbed 'Translations Into Tasteful Slang'? (Or TITS for short.) :confused:

Later we could expand the list for unwanted auto part words. This would be the 'Broad Interpretations for Gizmos' (or BIG TITS for short)?

Just an idea to keep from having to guess what people are talking about when describing valve lash adjustments.

Great humor!
Beats Leno or Letterman