'81 pushrod installation trouble
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 135
Likes: 97
From: Tullahoma TN
'81 pushrod installation trouble
My engine runs *chef's kiss* perfectly & is 100% oil tight, however, it was in need of a little tidying & paint. I pulled the pushrod tubes & rods without removing the rocker boxes (and I reeeally don't want to have to....) pulled the lifter blocks out & got everything cleaned, polished & mostly put back together.
I absolutely CANNOT get the rear cylinder, intake pushrod back in. It was a tight fit getting it out & I've already stabbed a screwdriver through my thumb trying to get the bastard back onto the tappet. Oh, it's hydraulic lifters, by the way. The other 3 drop in, no problem, this one just doesn't seem to have enough compression in the spring to let the pushrod ball in. The lifters have been out of the motor (and laid on their sides, if it makes a difference) for 5 days, so I can't imagine there's any pressure left. The outer piston (?) is fully seated & the cam is absolutely at the lowest point (I'm looking at it through the lifter block hole for the front cylinder) but the little, sprung, inner piston just will not compress far enough.
Is there a trick I'm missing or am I really going to have to pull the frigging rockers?
I absolutely CANNOT get the rear cylinder, intake pushrod back in. It was a tight fit getting it out & I've already stabbed a screwdriver through my thumb trying to get the bastard back onto the tappet. Oh, it's hydraulic lifters, by the way. The other 3 drop in, no problem, this one just doesn't seem to have enough compression in the spring to let the pushrod ball in. The lifters have been out of the motor (and laid on their sides, if it makes a difference) for 5 days, so I can't imagine there's any pressure left. The outer piston (?) is fully seated & the cam is absolutely at the lowest point (I'm looking at it through the lifter block hole for the front cylinder) but the little, sprung, inner piston just will not compress far enough.
Is there a trick I'm missing or am I really going to have to pull the frigging rockers?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 135
Likes: 97
From: Tullahoma TN
Sorry. '81 FXWG. I'm not sure if the pushrods are original. They're adjustable with a split locking nut.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 135
Likes: 97
From: Tullahoma TN
I just had a really good search around & learned about the 'paperclip through the bottom of the piston' trick. Less than a drip of oil came out, but it was enough that it was still holding pressure!
I got it totally dry & it all popped together perfectly!
I should've searched before asking, I guess 😁
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The key word: "completely"
I just had a really good search around & learned about the 'paperclip through the bottom of the piston' trick. Less than a drip of oil came out, but it was enough that it was still holding pressure!
I got it totally dry & it all popped together perfectly!
I should've searched before asking, I guess 😁
I just had a really good search around & learned about the 'paperclip through the bottom of the piston' trick. Less than a drip of oil came out, but it was enough that it was still holding pressure!
I got it totally dry & it all popped together perfectly!
I should've searched before asking, I guess 😁
