1965 bent rod, request for top end advice

[projo198]

FINALLY got the 65 running this weekend only to discover a tapping on the passage side and lots of smoke on that side's exhaust.

Found this issue on cylinder 2.



I manually manipulated the valve there and there wasn't any resistance besides what the spring provided. Originally I was going to just replace the rod and see what happened, but now I am going to do a leak-down test and see if there is anything I need to worry about.

If the valve had just temporarily locked up enough to bend the rod would a bent rod like this cause the smoke? I believe it was white smoke (which leads me to a possible head gasket) but it was cold outside so hard to tell.

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[biddle]

Model year added to your subject
.

 

[DannyInNJ]

WOW really is the word. A bent rod like that (since it changes the overall length) would completely screw up the valve timing on that cylinder and certainly throw smoke (like a car badly in need of a full valve job) but I can't help feeling there's more going on in there. If you think it's a head gasket (since smoke should have been blue) grab one of those cheap testers from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VVBSFTF/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20
Before you start ripping her down.

 

[Douglemmo]

FINALLY got the 65 running this weekend only to discover a tapping on the passage side and lots of smoke on that side's exhaust.

Found this issue on cylinder 2.

https://i.*********/VLqRDyUh.jpg

I manually manipulated the valve there and there wasn't any resistance besides what the spring provided. Originally I was going to just replace the rod and see what happened, but now I am going to do a leak-down test and see if there is anything I need to worry about.

If the valve had just temporarily locked up enough to bend the rod would a bent rod like this cause the smoke? I believe it was white smoke (which leads me to a possible head gasket) but it was cold outside so hard to tell.

I would definitely do a leak down test and I would borescope the combustion area of the Suspected cylinder.

 

[projo198]

Thanks guys. It was hard to tell the color of the smoke because it is so cold here, but there was a wet spot under that tailpipe so when I get home today I am going to see if it dried up, or if it was oil.

 

[05Dave]

FINALLY got the 65 running this weekend only to discover a tapping on the passage side and lots of smoke on that side's exhaust.

Found this issue on cylinder 2.



I manually manipulated the valve there and there wasn't any resistance besides what the spring provided. Originally I was going to just replace the rod and see what happened, but now I am going to do a leak-down test and see if there is anything I need to worry about.

If the valve had just temporarily locked up enough to bend the rod would a bent rod like this cause the smoke? I believe it was white smoke (which leads me to a possible head gasket) but it was cold outside so hard to tell.
View attachment 9961

A bent push rod usually means that a valve and piston did collide or a valve was really stuck, so do a leak down test to see if you have valve leakage.
White smoke is an indicator of a cylinder cylinders leaking coolant. If it is glycol do not allow that to go on as it will get into the oil and cause no end of issues. Sometimes a high detergent top up will remove the glycol varnish.
I would do a complete leak down test watching the rad for bubbles. Do all cylinders.

 

[projo198]

A bent push rod usually means that a valve and piston did collide or a valve was really stuck, so do a leak down test to see if you have valve leakage.
White smoke is an indicator of a cylinder cylinders leaking coolant. If it is glycol do not allow that to go on as it will get into the oil and cause no end of issues. Sometimes a high detergent top up will remove the glycol varnish.
I would do a complete leak down test watching the rad for bubbles. Do all cylinders.

Gotcha. Intended on doing a leak-down test last night but the tool I got did not come with the right spark plug hole adapter. I have it now, just need to get out there and do it!

 

[64ZCODE]

I don't think (but stand to be corrected) that the FE engine is an interference setup. If a valve actually contacted a piston, I'd be surprised. Usual reason for valve sticking in these engines is old cruddy fuel deposits in the valve guide.

05Dave, if you have the rocker assemblies off you can try tapping on the valve stem ends to verify each is free. But use a hammer with a softer metal than the valve stems to avoid damage.

 

[64ZCODE]

I don't think (but stand to be corrected) that the FE engine is an interference setup. If a valve actually contacted a piston, I'd be surprised. Usual reason for valve sticking in these engines is old cruddy fuel deposits in the valve guide.

05Dave, if you have the rocker assemblies off you can try tapping on the valve stem ends to verify each is free. But use a hammer with a softer metal than the valve stems to avoid damage.