Author Topic: Push rods, which end up?  (Read 2405 times)

jvb6648

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Push rods, which end up?
« on: March 11, 2020, 02:11:23 PM »
Just checking but I believe the one on the left, end with the open tip, would go to the rocker arm.
Jim
68 Z/28

ko-lek-tor

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Re: Push rods, which end up?
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2020, 02:24:39 PM »
I don’t think either of those hole types make a difference. It’s more that the correct part would have a hardened end, hence blue tip which is the color left from hardening process. That end goes up as that is the area that rubs against the guide plate.
Bentley to friends :1969 SS/RS 396 owned 79
1969 SS 350 (sold)
1969 D.H.COPO replica 4spd. owned since 85
1967 302 4 spd 5.13

Stingr69

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Re: Push rods, which end up?
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2020, 03:45:48 PM »
Lifter end is usually worn in a "circle" witness mark.  Pushrod end is all polished from use.

jvb6648

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Re: Push rods, which end up?
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2020, 10:29:13 PM »
Thanks, no bluing from hardening process and the ends are like new chrome, no marks at all. Push rods may be made of a hardened steel. I just thought the larger opening would flow more oil through the rocker arm hole. 45 plus years is a lot of time to forget things.
Jim
68 Z/28

z28z11

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Re: Push rods, which end up?
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2020, 03:08:21 AM »
Actually, the "blue tip" likely refers to the blue paint or dye stripe around the body of the pushrod just down from the end of the rocker arm end of the pushrod (visual ident markers for the HP rods, I assume). You can still see them on my X77's, I think they are still visible on the ones in the '68.

They'll work either way you turn them. The Chevrolet guy I worked for always turned his around during a rebuild or freshen-up to keep the wear area where it rides in the pushrod holes in the head from cutting too deep over time (pre guide plates).

Standard Z oil pump doesn't care which end it pumps through - they look like Texas oil wells when you adjust the valves (running). Messy, Erson clips help tremendously.

Regards,
Steve
1968 Z28 M21/U17 BRG/W 1967 Chevy ll Nova SS 
1969 Z28 X77/M20/VE3 LeMans/W
1969 L78 X66/N66 Cortez/BVT
1969 Z11 L48/M35/C60/C06  1949 3100 5wd 235/6