bent pushrods...

[cactuswren]

Ok, so I thought everything was going well with the old engine I just got running. The first 2 starts everything sounded ok, not even any leaks. On day 3 I noticed an oil leak from the valve cover, no big deal as I expected it to have a leak here or there. But to my horror I found the very first (front) pushrod bent! I took the other valve cover off and the very same first pushrod was also bent.  So now Im wondering what the problem could be? I never messed with the timing chain so I didnt think the time would be off? Any idea what caused this?

[FLG]

You said "old engine"


Makes me think its been sitting awhile before you started it?? Could be the valves got hung up 

[cactuswren]

well it's been about 6 years since I bought the engine and it's been sitting idle until now. Seemed tight when cranking it over the first time but after running it a while it seemed to loosen up a lot. I could be something was hung up.. 

[Rayzor]

Valves tend to rust in position from sitting. Does not take much to fold over a pushrod.

[b5blue]

I bent several push rods and found the valve guides were worn. It wasn't much of a surprise as the car had been drag raced then run hard by me for many years.   

[Richard Cranium]

The original plastic coated timing gear was notorious for teeth breaking off & the chain jumping. This will cause pushrods to bend.