Z28Camaro30Ann

iTrader: (15)

So I just finished my cam swap. I installed my TPiS ZZ409 Cam, Corvette LS7 lifters, Ford SVO 30# Injectors, and Trick Flow 7.300" Chrome Moly Pushrods. I swapped out the head gaskets, and cleaned everything up as well.

I got it all back together, and went to turn it over...didnt even crank...I figured it was just because I did all that crap and it hasnt run for 3 days so maybe it just need some help.

Cranked it again and it let out a LOUD backfire then turned over but no start...

I figured it just cleaned out excess fuel an gunk in the system...

Cranked it again and I heard a metallic snap and jingling...

Got out and looked. I had 1 Driver side and 2 pass side rockers loose...

Turned out 3 of the Chrome-moly Pushrods snapped.

I have Crane Cams 1.6 Gold Race Roller Rockers and AFR Heads 187cc

I think I had the stupid rockers too tight and they snapped the pushrods when it atarted to turn over. Lord knows how many I bent...

My question to you all is...

I know I have a task not to replace the broken/bent rods, but what else do I need to look at or what else probably broke with this???

Z28Camaro30Ann

iTrader: (15)

Also how well will stock pushrods work with this setup??? I still have my stock 7.200" ones...Might throw them in and try that with some adjustment to my rockers

z_speedfreak

iTrader: (3)

did you check for proper push rod length?

Z28Camaro30Ann

iTrader: (15)

I did, but that doesnt matter THAT much because I have adjustable Roller Rockers...even if they WERE slightly off, I can change the rockers to fit...I'm not worried about the CAUSE of the problem...I know what that was. I am going to replace my pushrods and loosen up the rockers before I try again...

I need to know what else I could have or definately did mess up when this happened!

Counted Out

iTrader: (6)

If you have SA rockers, you should be able to do it. If you have NSA, you're going to need hardened ones.

Isn't there some kind of warranty on the pushrods? You mite be able to get them replaced.

Z28Camaro30Ann

iTrader: (15)

considering I bought them 3 days ago?? lol. I would hope so.

SA and NSA...how do I know?

they are Crane Cams Gold Aluminum Race 1.6 Adjustable Roller Rockers

z_speedfreak

iTrader: (3)

I gotcha, well I'd check to make sure no lifters collapsed

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

It sounds to me like you didn't do the right research on your build. You don't know if your rockers were self-aligning or non self-aligning? You didn't take any consideration into pushrod length? Big mistake.

Adjustable rockers give you the option to adjust valve lash, not pushrod length.

What did you tighten the rockers too? What lifter did you use? What method did you use to adjust them? Lots of questions to be answered.

Counted Out

iTrader: (6)

I don't know for sure, but it's a pretty important thing to know. If they are NSA you MUST use guideplates.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

And there's no way in hell anyone would give you money back on broken pushrods given the fact you think pushrod length didn't matter.

Counted Out

iTrader: (6)

He said he did check though. And they have no way to know he didn't think it mattered, unless he ended up asking for another size or something.

I took a quick look at Summit, it seems they make the Crane Golds in both SA and NSA, so you're going to have to check.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

He says he measured, but then went on to say "it didn't matter" because he has "adjustable rockers." This leads me to believe that he didn't order the correct size pushrods for his application, leaning on the supposed "adjustability" of the rockers to pick up the slack.

I'm going to say everything broke because he didn't adjust them properly using the correct method. If it's not spinning over something is obviously binding.

Counted Out

iTrader: (6)

Fixed.

I didn't realize you said you were using 7.3's in the first post.

Puck

iTrader: (17)

Pushrod length ALWAYS matters. Adjusting rocker arm lash will do little to help improper valvetrain geometry due to the wrong length pushrods.

EDIT: You can roll the pushrods on a sheet of glass to see if they are still straight, but I would replace them all either way. No telling if any have been weakened while still maintaining their straightness.

Z28Camaro30Ann

iTrader: (15)

I measured the length using a trick flow pushrod length checker. I ordered my 7.3 pushrods AFTER that. I did not buy the rockers myself, they were on the freaking car when I got it...THAT is why I dont know if they are SA or not!!! Stop taking so many damned stabs at me jesus.

I am new at this and I did my research. I know that LS7 lifters dont sit the same as stock LT1 lifters do. I know the lifters that were in the car before this upgrade were not stock but not LS7. They were measured to the cam because this cam has been in the car before. The rods were measured to fit that cam and lifter combo and they worked out to a 7.2" so he just used the stock 7.2" pushrods. When I switched to LS7's I saw that they had a slightly deeper cup depth so I measured. It came out to 7.3. So I ordered 7.3's!

The comment about the rockers was that if I was slightly off, like .100, I could make an adjustment with the rocker nut and compensate slightly if needed. I WAS NOT saying I could go out and buy 7.0 or 7.6 pushrods and "make them work" because my rockers are adjustable......

I went back to the stock 7.2" to see if that fixed it...shorter length. The rockers were FINGERTIGHT. I did not touch them with a ratchet at all. I never even GOT to adjust them, because the engine never started and I did not have the capability to hand crank the engine to set the lash and all, so I fingertightened them, bumped the engine, tightened any that were loose, bumped it, did the same...once they were fingertight I tried to start it...........bent 6 pushrods before it ever started.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

You need someone experianced to come help you in person. You made a huge mistake somehow. Admit it, find someone to help you identify what you have, what you damaged and what you need, and learn from this.

I thought LS7 lifters usually required a shorter pushrod not a longer one?? The heads could have had longer valves meaning they would need taller pushrods but I would have expected that to be offset by the LS7 lifters needing shorter.

I would say best case scenario would be severe bind with SA rockers and guideplates but doubt you will be that lucky doubt it would bend then I think it would just wear them. I would be pulling heads, I just think with that much pushrod damage you had to have hit the pistons.

Z28Camaro30Ann

iTrader: (15)

I know I messed up, dont get me wrong...but I think I know what I did and it was not pushrod length...

I think I fucked up installing the cam. I think its at the wrong degree

I also think in the process I bent at leas t 2, maybe 3 valves...at least

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

Assuming the cam WAS installed right you still do not have an understanding on how to set valve lash. I suggest you take a look at shbox.com and read the correct way to set lash. Like 96 said, start pulling stuff off, heads and all.

Z28Camaro30Ann

iTrader: (15)

I will...that starts this week......

Z28Camaro30Ann

iTrader: (15)

Well...since I am about to buy new valves, I already have titanium retainers, upgraded springs, upgraded guideplates, etc...how likely is it to port the heads slightly and add in larger valves?