How would I know if the pushrods installed in my motor are not the right length?

I have spent the weekend trying to get this thing running right and have the following symptoms.

1. OIL EVERYWHERE from major blowby.

2. BOSCH 4+ Plugs fouled bigtime.. Oil and crap built up to the point that there was no gap left on some. (replaced today with A/C Delco)

This rebuilt motor has 2000 miles on it and has had the blowby problem since day one.....

My profile lists the heads etc.... I used the standard length Crane chromoly pushrods.

 

None of those things.

What would happen, is rapid valve guide wear from side loading, because the rocker would tend to push the valve to one side rather than straight down. The heads would probably only last 50,000 miles or something, instead of 150,000.

Sounds to me like you might have ring issues. But another cause of that would be a bad intake gasket. Try popping the intake off and see what there is to see.

 

Do you have a PCV system? Or at least breathers? Maybe oil pan is overfilled or no windage tray? Just some other thoughts.

RBob.

 

I bought a stock replacement pan from Summit, wasn't even painted. Might replace it anyway as I need to silicone the EXPENSIVE pan gasket in place. Leaks like crazy.

The intake could very well be leaking but aside from taking the PITA Superram setup off...I don't know of any way to check for it.

The exhaust reacts with the typical black smoke if I'm running too rich but no other sign of water & or Oil.

I've been messing with the Fuel pressure and have 24lb injectors with the ARAP bin...unmodified to account for the larger injectors...this could account for the buildup on the plugs.

The oil everywhere is driving me crazy. Pulled the driver's side header off today to remove one of the stripped Bosch plugs and found oil coating the exhause gasket. I must add a quart of synthetic oil a week. (yes I know synthetic finds the leaks easier due to viscosity issues.)

I must assume the rings are OK. The motor came rebuilt from a reputable shop and the guy seems very knowledgable.

Guess a compression check..scheduled Wednesday, should help pinpoint the problem.

 

Another quick note...the Rubber grommets in the valve covers where the PVC valve and valve on the other side go; they have a rubber flap at the bottom that is quartered. It allows a funnel through to add oil...and I'm assuming if the pressure is great enough, just about anything else to force it's way through. Are these normal?...and if so would they be a bottleneck of any sort to cause pressure to build up. I've already used electrical tape around the PVC valve and other valve bases to hold them in tightly so they don't pop out when I give the car some acceleration'


Thanks,

Marty

 

Sounds to me like the second rings are on upside-down.

Go there, tell him what's wrong, and have him do either a compression check, or a leak down test.

 

So have you pulled the intake yet?

Remember, it has exhaust ports, oil, and intake, all coming together.

Quick, easy, cheap, very likely the culprit.

"The simplest explanation that fits all the facts is usually the right one".
— Occam, ancient Greek philosopher, from the days before compression testers

 

The compression checked out fine.

The mechanic I took it to thinks the blowby problem is caused by the rubber grommets that go into the valve covers where the PCV/ breather stuff attaches.

They have 4 flaps at the bottom that open up when there is a buildup in pressure..but these things are like steel traps. It would take a ton of pressure to get them to open. He recommended I cut them out and create a less restictive baffle out of metal to put inside the valve cover.

Makes sense to me...I'm just relieved it's most likely not the rings. I guess I have more compression than I thought...????

 

The grommets were definately causing the pressure buildup.

Most aftermarket valve covers come with these rubber "valves" and they are are very stiff. Cut the bottoms out and the pressure is equal.

But....no I might be getting some oil in the PCV system. Oh well!

 

I had that problem, hear my TF heads were leaking oil past the screw instuds into the intake passages on the heads. I took out the screw in studs , wraped some teflon tape around them screwed them back in and no problem. I was burning a quart every 100 miles for a half a year trying to figure this out.