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Sat Jun 26, 2004 2:26 pm

So I bought some push rod tubes (Chromalloy) and I've cut them down to size. Now my question is hwo do i get the ends in? I tied heating them up with a propane torch but I couldn't get them in that way, and I've tried a brass hammer too, to no avail, they keep going in at an angle. Please help.

Sat Jun 26, 2004 7:01 pm

I just gotta ask. Are you trying to install the push rod tubes with the head installed?
You have to remove the head in order to install the push rod tubes on a T1 engine.

unless you get some spring loaded ones.

Sat Jun 26, 2004 7:36 pm

Hey here's a way to feel stupid, I meant the actual push rods, not the push rod tubes like i said :oops: . Well I hope maybe this will clear some things up.

Sat Jun 26, 2004 8:49 pm

Find two junk lifters. Set the pushrod between the two lifters (one lifter on the ground, then the pushrod, then the other lifter. Now you can hammer the tip in. Go slow, and as the tip wants to go crooked, straighten it back up and hammer it in some more. Chromo pushrods take some serious hammering to get them pushed in all the way.

Keep checking that they're going in straight. If it goes too crooked, it will mess up the pushrod tube. Keep straightening it as you go, a little at a time.

Sat Jun 26, 2004 9:01 pm

Hey Thanks Eric. I don't have any lifters laying around... so I'll have to do something differnt... any ideas out there. On a side Note Eric I bought those Kadrons from youa while ago, I'm now running them on my 1904. They work great. Well hopefully I'll get this one licked ( I wanna' drive that car darnit :x )

Sun Jun 27, 2004 8:30 pm

Well I tried today with bullet jackets.... that didn't work so well. I'm sure I'll find something.

Sun Jun 27, 2004 8:35 pm

Did you heat up the tube itself or the end. You really shouldn't be heating either as it can screw up the metallurgy. There should be enough pitted lifters out there anymore to find 2 to use to put the ends in. It works real easy doing them that way and you are much less likely to mess up the ends.

Mike
59 single, 69 bus, 73 super

Sun Jun 27, 2004 11:22 pm

okie dokie. I'll try the VW shop around here to see if they have any laying around

Sun Jun 27, 2004 11:23 pm

okie dokie. I'll try the VW shop around here to see if they have any laying around

Mon Jun 28, 2004 12:42 am

I used an old flywheel for a set I did a couple of years ago. I put the end being tapped in on the flywheel side. Still have to find something to go on the other end, maybe a small socket or something similar

Mon Jun 28, 2004 4:22 am

Quote: I put the end being tapped in on the flywheel side. Still have to find something to go on the other end, maybe a small socket or something simila

You need to be real careful not to nick or ding the PR ends as they can chew up you rockers or lifters. It is best to use a pair of old lifters as previously recommended, that is how I have always done mine. Just take your time and tap them in slowly, don't try to get it done in 2-3 hits.

Mon Jun 28, 2004 2:53 pm

try heating up the pushrod and freezing the end you want to insert.

Mon Jun 28, 2004 4:13 pm

Gentelmen please...You are giving me the willies!!! Enough with the heating things up, you'll screw up the hardening of the steel. No, you don't want to use a flywheel and no, you don't want to use anything except an old set of lifters. YOU WILL DAMAGE THE PUSHRODS, THE ROCKER ARM SEATS AND/OR THE LIFTERS. :cry:

I have had to recut/install a set of pushrods for a friend of mine who had attempted to put them together with a block of wood and a ball peen (tapping them in).

The best way I have found to build pushrods is with a plumber's pipe cutter, it has a very small sharpened wheel, kinda like a miniature pizza cutter. They have a built in cleaner/scraper for the inside edge when finished. You can bevel the inside edge and the end of the tip will fit right in without having it go in crooked. Blow out the tube or clean well otherwise to ensure there are no shavings inside the tube. Then get a set of old lifters - yes OLD LIFTERS. They are the correct shape for properly transferring impact to the ends of the pushrods without causing any damage.

Short cuts will always bite you in the ass.

Mon Jun 28, 2004 4:43 pm

Using an old lifter is the only way to go. ATTENTION!!!
ALWAYS WEAR SAFTEY GLASSES WHEN DOING THIS!!! The lifters or hammer can chip and you know where the chip will go. Right in the eye. Using a brass hammer will help. Hooker

Mon Jun 28, 2004 5:06 pm

Quote: ATTENTION!!! ALWAYS WEAR SAFTEY GLASSES WHEN DOING THIS!!!

What he said!! I had a chip of metal fly off when using a hammer one time and took a piece of shrapnel 1/4" deep into my arm :shock: (I was also wearing safety glasses at the time, just in case something went wrong)

Mon Jun 28, 2004 7:19 pm

Yes I got ym little push rod lab set up so now we're good to go. I'm wearing saftey googles, and ear prtoectors, and I've already busted most of the walls off of one of the lifters but it still works. I acedentaly cut one of the push rods too short, but it adjusts at the vavles to work out so i think that will be a lirght. Gitta go though, Magic man Ken is tearing up Jepordy!

Tue Jun 29, 2004 9:25 am

only the ends are hardend. the rod itself is not. heating it and freezing the ends will work. I've done it. the cromoly is harder, but is not tempered.