Thoughts on this push rod tube damage

[Moseley]

So, during a bit of an engine strip-down to sort out a few oil weeps, I came across this push rod. It looks as though the area around the oil gallery has chipped at the rocker arm end. There doesn’t appear to be any unusual wear otherwise. Whilst it makes sense to replace it (if I can actually buy a single push rod) I’m interested to know what might have caused this? Manufacturing defect, or something more sinister?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[K@rlos]

It’s been over revved or the valve lash has been too loose. Are they Ally push rods? Hard to tell in picture.

 

[Moseley]

Yep, they are aluminium. I’m waiting to hear back from the engine builder to find out the manufacturer of them to see if I can get a spare. Or not sure if the tips can be separated once they have been installed as could just renew them? Don’t really want to fork out over 100 nuggets for a full set...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[K@rlos]

If they are cut to length rods the tips are available.

 

[Moseley]

Looking at pictures on the net, it looks like they are just standard VW push rods. So I can either replace with an aftermarket ‘standard’ item, or replace all for standard / aftermarket.

Will measure when I’m home to be sure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[K@rlos]

Am I right in thinking that a more pokey engine? 1776?

 

[Moseley]

Ok so the aluminium section measures 267mm (total length 282mm). Yes, this is an 1835 - so I’m considering some CB Performance or similar, as I’m sure an upgrade will mean one less thing likely to get damaged in the future.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[K@rlos]

Get some nice chromoly cut to length rods from CB or Scat. Pricey but well worth it. Easier to adjust the clearances on too, set to loose 0

 

[atafonso]

What cam and rockers do you have? The recommendations will mostly be dictated by that.
I try to keep alu whenever possible as they are light and reliable. If you have a cam with more than .400" lift, the stock won`t work well as the pushrod tips/rocker arms will gall.
I only recommend Chromoly when using dual springs, for single high revs i use Scat steel(when the stock size is needed) because they are lighter and cheaper or you could get the Alu from CB, they are really good for moderate spring pressures but pricey.

Abel

 

[Moseley]

It is a ‘100 size’ cam, so I assume an Engle 100. Rockers are stock, and I imagine the valve springs are also. I’m leaning towards alu just to help keep noise down, and given the mild spec of the engine, I can’t see I’m going to need the extra strength of chromoly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[K@rlos]

Oh right the previous owner of the bus lived round the corner from me and implied the engine was quite potent and said it had quite a fierce cam. It’s it only as mild as W100 Ali rods will be ample.