78 Catalina 4.9L stored sense 1991 new work and issues with bent push rods

[Bigpat13601]

Hello
Last year I posted about my 1978 Catalina that had been stored in a garage sense 12/91 This spring/summer I had done some work new front end parts: Upper and Lower control arm bushings, Ball joints, Tie rod parts left right and middle, Sway bar bushings and parts, New brake lines all around with all the bells and whistles, everything that dry rotted from the front to the back.
I had it started and running last year and again this year there was a tapping from from the right side nothing major but it was there. Today I removed the valve cover and there was a rocker arm off center I did a quick start to confirm it and I discovered the push rod was bent and I found a couple more that were not as bad. I would think if it jumped the timing that would do it but it would not start and run correct? so what should I check for

 

[melsg5]

Are there wear marks on other rocker studs?
You can check timing chain issues

How to Check Wear in an Engine’s Timing Chain

When it comes to the timing chain in an engine, there is an accurate method to determine its wear without taking the engine apart.

www.agriculture.com

 

[G-548862]

Are there wear marks on other rocker studs?
You can check timing chain issues

How to Check Wear in an Engine’s Timing Chain

When it comes to the timing chain in an engine, there is an accurate method to determine its wear without taking the engine apart.

www.agriculture.com

Great article Thank you

 

[Bigpat13601]

Great article Thank you

Thank you
I tried the instructions this afternoon there was a lot of play I got around 8° to 10° off so I pulled the cover and checked the chain there was about 1/2" to 3/4" play in the chain so that will get replaced.
Next step is the intake manifold to look at the lifters

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[melsg5]

OK, good,luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Bigpat13601]

Hello
Total of 6 bent pushrods

 

[melsg5]

Did water get into this engine. Looks like rust on the cam lobes?

 

[Bigpat13601]

Did water get into this engine. Looks like rust on the cam lobes?

it's possible it sat in a garage from 1991 to 2019 possible condensation from the the years of sitting there. later today I am planning to remove the timing chain and the cam, Rock Auto had a standard cam and lifter set. I know the 301 is a dog and not worth trying to kick up the HP but if I can at least get it running reliably without having to pull it win win

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[Bigpat13601]

Cam damage + And lifter issues
you can see the damage to the cam lobe from pitting funny that the lobe with the pitting did not have a bent push rod.
the lifters that did bend the rods 4 of 6. The lower part of the lifters were dry they would move a little but not freely no oil on them. is there a way to clean up the lifter sleeves before the new ones go in.

 

[melsg5]

Are you dropping the pan to clean it out, check bearings, etc. ?
It looked like metal shavings in the picture.

 

[cammerjeff]

I have a feeling the car was parked for the reasons you are now finding. How many miles are on it?

 

[Bigpat13601]

55K The car was supposed to be a retirement project that my friend wanted to do when he retired, But his wife had other ideas like a Divorce a real nasty Divorce with him losing half of his pension the house and almost sanity. Last year he got a letter telling him he had until Friday to get the car out of the garage the letter arrived on Wednesday so he had 2 days to get it out.
So he called me and asked if I knew anybody who wanted a free car! Well MaMa Big always said take the free car so being the Good Friend I am I took the car. So the whole good thing never goes unpunished I got accused of damage to the Garage removing it without someone being there from her attorneys office etc. etc. my reply was LOLGF.
so that was the history of the car.

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