Push Rods

[Andy D.]

I have one bent push rod in my '48 TE-20, Z-120 engine. It isn't kinked, but a gradual bend. Thoughts on straighteneing it? If straightening isn't suggested, where can I get one, used, new, pricing? Don't see them in the parts section of this site. Thanks for any info. Andy

 

[Don Hooks]

ALL of the push rods in my TO30 were bent and I really wanted to hear that engine run so I broke the rule to "discard and replace" and VERY carefully rolled each between two of the softest boards I could find until most of the curve was gone. I then moved up to harder, perfectly flat boards just narrower than the length of the push rods and applied more pressure. As you would expect, a couple straightened but the ends were canted a couple of degrees out of line. I marked the high side of each end and the opposite side just below the end with paint and - again with soft wood - rolled them about a quarter turn back and forth with the wood against the painted surfaces until they were aligned. I then rechecked the last two to be sure I hadn't rolled in a new bow and put it back together. The rods are hollow so patience is mandatory. After about 10 hours of operation I checked them and all were still straight. Used push rods show up about once a month on eBay and some aftermarket suppliers may have them. Right now I don't plan to replace mine unless and until something fails. According to my parts book, the TE20, TO20 and TO30 all use the same push rod (1 750 058 M1).

 

[Jerry/MT]

ABout 10 yearsa ago when I rebuilt the head on my Z129, I had a couple of bent push rods and I had a hard time finding replacements as did the head rebuilder. I finally found one at aa tractor salvage yard. I think they are kinda" hard to find new but you can try www.montesequipment.com. They supposedly specilize in Continental parts. I like Don"s method of patiently straightening them. If you can"t find any staright ones, I"d use his method to try to straighten them.

 

[gshadel]

excuse my ignorance... but how do you suppose those push rods get bent to start with???? Only causes I can think-of is a seriously out of time engine, or maybe a seized valve train from sitting a long time???
I agree with the other guys, straightening them on wood sounds good. I wouldn't think they have to be absolutely 100% perfect, you adjust the valve lash with the adjustment screws & jamb nuts anyway to insure proper valve clearance.


George

 

[A. DeSanto]

I got my tractor from a family friend after it had sat in a barn for the better part of thirty years without running. I was able to free everything up except one of the exhaust valves. I bent the rod because I got a tad impatient. Lesson learned I hope!!! Thank you guys for the advice. I'm going to try straightening it.

 

[gerard]

No science to straightening pushrods - not this sort, anyway. Two minute job. If it's a slow bend, as you say, you can probably do it by hand - rest the ends & push in the middle. Otherwise, gentle use of a hammer on a slightly concave surface (try to keep the ends untouched) Roll it on a flat surface to check - it has to be almost perfect or it'll bend again. On this type of engine, usual cause is a stuck valve from lack of use. Doubt the valves lift enough to touch the pistons even at TDC, so rotating a Z120 with stationary cam (unlike on modern engines) probably wouldn't cause that - apart from the fact you've have a few other problems!

 

[Lance J.]

Andy-
Awhile back, I was looking for Continental parts on the web just to see how widely available they are. One website I remember is midamericapowercenter.com from Minnesota, they boasted about being the Continental utility and equipment engine parts specialists. As I recall, their catalog was not fully online yet, they listed a toll-free number on the website. Many people on this forum seem to like a firm called Sparex, although I don't have any experience with them. Lastly, race car engine parts makers such as Crane Cams, Iskenderian, Erson Cams, etc. make custom pushrods for race customers. I don't see why they could not make you some, but they won't be cheap.