geo,
I can't help you much on diagnosis, but I can't help but think that
it's the old "irresistable force vs. immovable object"! In this case,
if true, the cam, lifter & pushrod are on the way up, and the valve may
be frozen in the guide (just a guess - don't know if this really
happens) and BANG - something breaks - in this case the rocker arm.
Could be mis-adjusted valves, I suppose, so that the valve is unable to
open any farther, but there's still some lift in the cam lobe. I would
certainly check for bent pushrods, as that would give you an idea of
what might have happened. I suppose it could be just a *bad* casting,
that eventually failed - rocker arm that is.
I would pull the engine & pan, and flush the block thoroughly (upside
down?) to get all the possible little pieces out. I certainly dont
think you want SMP (small metal particles) in your running engine. I'm
not sure a magnet would work either - I think the rockers are some sort
of alloy. I'm sure I'll be corrected if wrong :^)
Good luck.
Peter Ficklin
'63 & '68 Spits
Fresno, CA
----------------
geo@ohio.net wrote:
>
> Thanks for the info.... do you know what might happen to a rocker arm that
> breaks while the motor is running? I understand about the reasons why it
> might happen with valves and what not...... but do ya think little parts
> might fly around under the cover? I have all the parts to fix it, but I'm
> wondering what I'll need to do to make it run. I'm going to see the car in a
> couple of hours on my way home from work... for $500 if it's not rusty and
> is together I can't go wrong. thanks geo
|