1987 Chevy El Camino/SBC 355 Build (2nd Rebuild!!)

[ElCamMan515]

Re: SBC 355 Build (Bad News!)

Well Guys And Gals,

Bad News! Took The Valve Covers Off And Found Out What The Noise Was... Some How Bent ALL 16 Pushrods And Ground Down The Tops Of Three Valves All The Way To The Retainers... So My 355 Is Out Of Commission After Only 500 Miles... I Hope To Find A Used SBC To Stick In The Engine Bay Until I Can Afford New Parts For The 355... Thank You Everyone Who Has Helped Me With The Build.

-- ElCam

 

[pontiacgp]

Re: SBC 355 Build (Bad News!)

If all the pushrods were bent what ground down the valve stem? I don't understand what would bend the pushrods when the engine sounded real healthy in your videos plus you had it at a shop for them to set up the timing or something...The only reason I could think of is if you seriously over revved the engine

 

[khan0165]

Re: SBC 355 Build (Bad News!)

I'm guessing they started by grinding down the stems, until the rods buckled and bent

also, ElCam has old 492 heads which had tight pushrod bores for alignment. I was told these were common for wiping out rods in high lift cams. Which is why GM later opened up the pushrod bores and started using aligning rockers or guide plates.

these tight holes could have caught his rods, causing them to bind and buckle

 

[pontiacgp]

Re: SBC 355 Build (Bad News!)

That's a good point but if that is the case with the small openings would it not happen soon as the engine was fired up? It was run at a shop so I would think if they would have heard something or had problems getting the engine to run properly..

and your right bout the holes...they are small..

 

[khan0165]

Re: SBC 355 Build (Bad News!)

compared to...

... you have a point. If pushrods were binding, it would have blown during break in. ElCam, did you remove one of the valve springs during cam break in?

 

[JBreu]

Re: SBC 355 Build (Bad News!)

Just a shot in the dark and maybe I missed it in the thread somewhere...Did you change the valve springs to match the new higher lift cam???

 

[ElCamMan515]

Re: SBC 355 Build (Bad News!)

Jbreu -- I did change springs to match cam and spring rate for springs are less than the springs lunati recommended for cam so springs should have been good.

Khan - The springs are single springs and they should have been fine for break in.

GP - Ill go take a picture and post it right now... i am lucky i didnt damage entire motor if a valve fell into cylinder.

 

[ElCamMan515]

Re: SBC 355 Build (Bad News!)

Also Motor NEVER Saw Over 2500 Rpms

 

[ElCamMan515]

Re: SBC 355 Build (Bad News!)

Some Pictures:

Drivers Side:

Pass Side: Two Valves Look Exactly Like This One

 

[othtim]

Re: SBC 355 Build (Bad News!)

You have hydraulic lifters, right?

How did you set your lash?