Help in Chicagoland-House Call?

[martyb]

Hey all, any local guys here in Chicagoland good with valvetrains?? My car developed a miss on Friday. The valvetrain has always been noisy, especially since PBJ did the heads/cam package about 2500 miles ago, I attributed it to the bigger cam/springs/T&D's. The miss was on the driver side, so I decided to pull the valve cover, and both pushrods on #7 were bent. I ran a scope down the cylinder, everything looks like new. Pulled the oil pan, also looks like new. I was shocked to see factory pushrods though, I didn't think those could or should be used with all of the upgrades:cursin:. I want to replace all of the pushrods and ensure that I order the right size and also ensure that the vavletrain is adjusted properly.

Any takers?? I will pay you handsomely and provide your choice of alcohol:D

[Red Snake]

Marty,

I replied to this on the morgue. I would think you can measure one of your unbent pushrods. Use that length to get some beefier, hardened pushrods. I am sure that the geometry was correct. It's not uncommon to bend factory pushrods on the Viper motor, especially a built motor.

Roe carries hardened pushrods. Comp Cams should have them too.

Good luck getting it sorted.

[martyb]

Thanks Red Snake. I left a message for Joe on this. Both pushrods on #7 were bent so badly that they were just laying to the side of the T&D's. I was cruising at 2000rpm when this happened, now I am wondering what may have caused it??

If you talk with Joe, ask him to get back to me please.

Thanks Snake

[C Note]

https://www.viperspecialtyperformance.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_28&products_id=107&osCsid=f52d975df960ea5365e830d64a5a74f1

Check those out, lots of options for you.

[martyb]

Thanks Cnote. Right now I am trying to focus on what might have caused this.

[Greg Good]

*If* the pushrods in it are the right length, then measuring an existing pushrod and ordering some stronger ones of that length will work. But if the length isn't exactly perfect the whole process needs to be started from scratch.

After the valves are adjusted the adjuster on the rocker arm should not be screwed out more than two turns. So basically, you get a pushrod length checker from Comp cams, set the adjuster out one turn, and see what length the checker says you need. When it's all said and done you should have ~3/4 turn pre-load and the adjuster less than two turns out.

I would definitely wait to hear from Joe since this is his build.

[HIGHPSI]

Thanks Red Snake. I left a message for Joe on this. Both pushrods on #7 were bent so badly that they were just laying to the side of the T&D's. I was cruising at 2000rpm when this happened, now I am wondering what may have caused it??

If you talk with Joe, ask him to get back to me please.

Thanks Snake

I've heard he can be hard to get in touch with. Hope he calls you back.

[martyb]

THe pushrods appear to be the correct length. Found TDC, backed the adjuster all the way out, and it took just over one full turn to hit zero lash. New rods on the way. Once I hit zero lash, only 3/4 turn down? I thought it was more like 1 or 1.5 turns to fully adjust.

[martyb]

Just a quick update. First I have to thank Sean Roe and Mike for their outstanding customer service as usual. I had my new pushrods arrive yesterday. Sean walked me through the proper measuring process to ensure the rods were correct, which they were. Greg Good gave me a few tips on rocker adjustments, which worked perfectly, thank you again Greg and Sean, I owe you both a few cocktails. Just took the car out for a quick drive, runs like a champ!! Did a quick 4th gear pull and broke loose, what a feeling.:D

[Red Snake]

Nice. Glad you got her back on the road. :thumbs:

[MiSdIrEcTeD_1]

Just a quick update. First I have to thank Sean Roe and Mike for their outstanding customer service as usual. I had my new pushrods arrive yesterday. Sean walked me through the proper measuring process to ensure the rods were correct, which they were. Greg Good gave me a few tips on rocker adjustments, which worked perfectly, thank you again Greg and Sean, I owe you both a few cocktails. Just took the car out for a quick drive, runs like a champ!! Did a quick 4th gear pull and broke loose, what a feeling.:D

Super cool. :thumbs:

[dun4791]

Glad you got it sorted out..........

[martyb]

Thanks all. Hey, anyone in the Chicagoland up for meeting for some beers tomorrow? 50 and sunny, no way in hell I am not putting some miles on!

[dun4791]

Thanks all. Hey, anyone in the Chicagoland up for meeting for some beers tomorrow? 50 and sunny, no way in hell I am not putting some miles on!

I will be at the shop tomorrow.....32561 Ashland......Beecher. If you are looking for somewhere to drive to....always have beer.

[Too Blue]

Thanks all. Hey, anyone in the Chicagoland up for meeting for some beers tomorrow? 50 and sunny, no way in hell I am not putting some miles on!

Glad to hear you got it fixed. :yep::yep::yep:

So the guy that built, installed, kept your car for over a year and took your money, never called you back? Did you hear anything from him?

Guess it doesn't matter now...

Have fun. I'll meet you if you want to come down to STL.

[martyb]

Glad to hear you got it fixed. :yep::yep::yep:

So the guy that built, installed, kept your car for over a year and took your money, never called you back? Did you hear anything from him?

Guess it doesn't matter now...

Have fun. I'll meet you if you want to come down to STL.

Never heard from him. I still cannot believe that with an upgraded cam, springs, rockers, valves, that stock pushrods were used. At least now I know that the valvetrain is adjusted properly, that is a story for another day:nope:

[HIGHPSI]

Never heard from him. I still cannot believe that with an upgraded cam, springs, rockers, valves, that stock pushrods were used. At least now I know that the valvetrain is adjusted properly, that is a story for another day:nope:

Marty
Glad you got it running great again. Props to Sean and Greg for helping a member out. I was afraid you wouldn't get a returned phone call. I know Joe and can't explain what has happened to him. He use to be "Johnny on the spot" Now I'm hearing he won't call people back. That's a shame because he was a good mechanic.

[martyb]

Marty
Glad you got it running great again. Props to Sean and Greg for helping a member out. I was afraid you wouldn't get a returned phone call. I know Joe and can't explain what has happened to him. He use to be "Johnny on the spot" Now I'm hearing he won't call people back. That's a shame because he was a good mechanic.

I can't explain it either. I hope he gets things figured out and back to normal at some point. Has he been working on any other Vipers? The very last time I was at his shop, he said the majority of his business were Camaros, Mustangs, etc. Other than RedSnake, I have not heard of anyone else taking their Viper to him.

[Greg Good]

Are you a valve setting pro now? :D

Glad to hear the good news that it turned out well. :clap:

[torquemonster]

I love a happy ending


:thumbs:

[martyb]

Are you a valve setting pro now? :D

Glad to hear the good news that it turned out well. :clap:

I wouldn't go that far Greg! Its one of those things that sounds like it may be tough, but its certainly not.

Thanks again for your help, car is running great.