SBC valve train issue - help

Bobby Zlatkin · 04-07-2011, 01:05 PM

Got the car out preparing for the 1st race of the season. While setting the timing, I heard a bang, bang, bang & the engine shut off. Sounded like it came from the left side so I pulled the left rocker cover.

#3 cyl., ex. rocker off the valve, push rod bent and cracked to the point of coming apart, stud cut almost in half. Top of valve stem & retainer beat up some.

#3 int. rocker very loose, although still showing the same amout of threads on top as all the others. Made me think maybe it was pulling a stud (press-in). Again stud cut almost in half. This push rod was not bent.

Measured (compared) the length of those two studs and compared with others. Those two are longer, but not by much. If I can avoid it, I perfer not to pull the head. Can I pull and replace the studs with hand tools? If so, what?

Finally, why did this happen? The valves were lashed down properly (hyd. lifters). It's a low lift cam with stock valve strings that never sees more than 6,000 rpm.

04-07-2011, 01:05 PM	#1
Bobby Zlatkin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mills River, NC Posts: 417 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	SBC valve train issue - help Got the car out preparing for the 1st race of the season. While setting the timing, I heard a bang, bang, bang & the engine shut off. Sounded like it came from the left side so I pulled the left rocker cover. #3 cyl., ex. rocker off the valve, push rod bent and cracked to the point of coming apart, stud cut almost in half. Top of valve stem & retainer beat up some. #3 int. rocker very loose, although still showing the same amout of threads on top as all the others. Made me think maybe it was pulling a stud (press-in). Again stud cut almost in half. This push rod was not bent. Measured (compared) the length of those two studs and compared with others. Those two are longer, but not by much. If I can avoid it, I perfer not to pull the head. Can I pull and replace the studs with hand tools? If so, what? Finally, why did this happen? The valves were lashed down properly (hyd. lifters). It's a low lift cam with stock valve strings that never sees more than 6,000 rpm. __________________ Bobby & Norene Zlatkin L/SA