Windsor,
Glad to see you pushing Porsches, sorry about your valve train.
You didn't mention if the bent pushrod was stock, or what modifications
you may have made to your head or cam.
If you've installed larger valves, heavier valve springs, high lift cam,
(and, hopefully, screw-in studs if you have) then stronger pushrods are
mandatory. If everything was stock, well sh-t happens. There are
stronger pushrods than the stock offering, and they are normally
installed with the listed mods.
I don't know if these are the original 30 year old rods, which could be
expected to show some aging effects of long service and heavy foot.
Taking them out with the engine installed is no mean trick, especially
with the rear ones, as has been discussed on the list. But it does
require head removal, which brings up "Well, as long as-----------"
That statement can run you about $1,000 for a good port/manifold match,
big valves, etc. on the head, plus the cam, lifters and pushrods to
match. (Engine out for the cam, unless you believe the procedure Rootes
published, and reproduced in the LAT options section of
http://www.TigersUnited.com)
An aluminum head from a good manufacturer is about the same cost, but is
a bit thicker than the iron one, and clearances with valve covers must
be considered, as well as your need to remain factory appearance.
So, the bottom line is you can replace one pushrod for a few bucks and a
lot of labor and anguish, and be back to where you were - with the next
old pushrod about to fail, or you can find some mechanical reason for
the failure, which must be corrected, or you can go for the Big Kahuna.
As discussed in Team Tiger's TigersUnited Column, they have recently
changed Tom's head from a good performing, but highly modified Dart Jr.
iron head, to a highly modified Ford iron head, for protest reasons.
Performance differences not fully described.
Good luck with your decision anguish (BTDT and always made the "Well, as
long as..." choice).
Do a thorough post-mortem on the failed pushrod as a first priority.
Steve
--
Steve Laifman < Find out what is most >
B9472289 < important in your life >
< and don't let it get away!>
http://www.TigersUnited.com/gallery/SteveLaifman.asp
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