Setting Timing

[Gaz64]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

I talked with the engine builder and he stated that the likelihood is it was not seated properly initially and bent gradually which would explain why it did not create a ruckus initially and lasted a while. I think I will replace the pushrods and make sure they all are seated and hold on the replacements. He indicated he had never seen a standard Ford FE rocker come apart and NASCAR runs this similar approach with non-adjustables.

Phil

That's a load of rubbish, either it was seated (fitted correctly), or it wasn't.

That does NOT happen gradually, that is a sudden catastrophic failure.

And if you don't find the cause, the next pushrod will also jump out.

For 1 out 16 to do that, I would still be looking at everything to do with how that valve operates. And during that, you may find more things wrong.

[Bernica]

Something seriously wrong to do that. Check the timing chain and use a bore scope to look at your valves. Also, pay close attention to that valve train and check for any binding etc.
My 2 cents...

[patrickt]

Had anybody worked on the engine in between when it left the engine builder and when you started tweaking the timing... and the other stuff?

[Gaz64]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Had anybody worked on the engine in between when it left the engine builder and when you started tweaking the timing... and the other stuff?

That's a good point as well.

Did a nut get dropped down the carburetor by accident?

Did the spark plug look normal on removal?

If valve to piston clearance becomes an instant negative, something has to give.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by Gaz64

That's a good point as well.

Did a nut get dropped down the carburetor by accident?

Did the spark plug look normal on removal?

If valve to piston clearance becomes an instant negative, something has to give.

Yup. There are only two ends to look at and I doubt it was the cam. Maybe wrong, but that's my guess...

[Large Arbor]

I have now had the intake off again and there was nothing in the intake. I did start it once with the carb returns springs off and it hi revved and I shut it off immediately (seconds). I think that was when the pushrod came out because I did not have it seated just right. I made sure they all were seated well when putting it back together. There is nothing in the carbs or intake and I can attest to that.


Not sure of the cause, but now it appears I have an electrical gremlin. I can start but am only firing on two cylinders (2 and 6). I am thinking the MSD 6AL box is bad.

Any other thoughts as to what may cause this?

Phil

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

Not sure of the cause, but now it appears I have an electrical gremlin. I can start but am only firing on two cylinders (2 and 6). I am thinking the MSD 6AL box is bad.

Any other thoughts as to what may cause this?

No. A faulty MSD box is not going to result in only the same two out of eight cylinders firing on each rev. That sounds more like an improperly installed distributor/cap/rotor problem.

[Bernica]

When you had the intake off did you inspect all of your lifters and the cam lobes? Also, how hi did you "hi-rev" the engine? Up to the rev limiter?