Bent pushrods

**86 IROC-Z** · 08-26-2006, 01:37 PM

My third-gen stopped working about two weeks ago, and I've just recently had the time to find out whats wrong with it, turns out I have a couple bent pushrods. I've bought a new set to replace them, but have any of you guys ever had this happen, and if so, have you had any other problems than just the pushrods? Thanks.

**Sarge** · 08-26-2006, 04:00 PM

Hydrolock? Spray happy? Detonation? What caused it?

**86 IROC-Z** · 08-26-2006, 05:01 PM

It was actually my dad who was driving it, it was on the highway for the past two hours and he was going 80mph when all of a sudden the rpm dropped to zero, no loud bangs or anything, the engine just shut off. This was on a 95 degree dry Georgia afternoon. The car is completely stock with just over 200,000 miles on the clock. I know its an old car, but do you have any idea why it happened?

**Sarge** · 08-26-2006, 05:09 PM

Well...lot of things could of happened....Valve could have let got and got itself swallowed thus bending the rods....what do your pistons look like/heads etc.
Rod bolt could have let loose...oh well...hello crate motor

Old folks are hell on motors....tell your Dad he broke your toy....Fix it!

**86 IROC-Z** · 08-26-2006, 05:23 PM

Ok thanks for the info, haha believe me I've been thinking about a new motor for a good while, I just need something to drive while getting the money together

**Sarge** · 08-26-2006, 07:01 PM

I'd be driving Dad's car

**KyleLs1** · 08-26-2006, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by Sarge

I'd be driving Dad's car

no doubt, at least get him to lend you the money to buy a beater while your car is down. then sell the beater for exactly what you paid and pay him back. I think he owes you that much..

**mmciau** · 08-27-2006, 01:40 AM

Originally Posted by 86 IROC-Z

My third-gen stopped working about two weeks ago, and I've just recently had the time to find out whats wrong with it, turns out I have a couple bent pushrods. I've bought a new set to replace them, but have any of you guys ever had this happen, and if so, have you had any other problems than just the pushrods? Thanks.

Belly full of coolant and a hydraulic lock followed!!

mike

**Vee 6** · 08-27-2006, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by 86 IROC-Z

It was actually my dad who was driving it, it was on the highway for the past two hours and he was going 80mph when all of a sudden the rpm dropped to zero, no loud bangs or anything, the engine just shut off. This was on a 95 degree dry Georgia afternoon. The car is completely stock with just over 200,000 miles on the clock. I know its an old car, but do you have any idea why it happened?

That's a lot of miles so I wouldn't be surprised if you broke a timing chain or valve spring.

Time for that LSx swap.

**Sarge** · 08-27-2006, 03:47 PM

Yup...good call...timing chain would be suspect.

**Jason Dammen** · 08-27-2006, 08:27 PM

As I was reading this I was thinking.... I bet it was the timing chain and sure enough some one had to post it first.... damn it, Im always late. haha I ran into a similar situation in my brothers car, Driving about 90-100 (with him with) in a 91 grand prix GTP (3.4 24valve) and all of sudden the car just died... broke the timing belt. Luckily it wasnt an interferance engine but in your case it probably is, which is why it bent pushrods. better luck next time and hopefully it will be an easy fix.
Jason

**86 IROC-Z** · 08-28-2006, 07:40 AM

Thanks for the replies, I looked and the timing chain is fine, I guess I'll take a look at the valve springs. If its not those and it doesn't work after I replace the pushrods, I guess I'll be taking the heads off expecting the worst

**86 IROC-Z** · 08-28-2006, 12:06 PM

Took a closer look at the timing chain, the chain was fine like I saw before, but the actual gear had worn out

I guess it was really bad and just finally wore out and stopped the timing on the highway.

**Modulistic** · 08-28-2006, 12:43 PM

wtf? was it plastic or some shit?

**86 IROC-Z** · 08-29-2006, 08:45 AM

Here is a picture, the worn one is on top of the new one:

And here's the pushrods:

Those are a bit small, you can really see, the one below should work:

**langss** · 08-29-2006, 02:46 PM

That will do it every time. You may have gotten off lucky with the bent pushrods.Try replacing them and see what happens.

**86 IROC-Z** · 09-01-2006, 09:11 PM

Well, put the new pushrods in and the new timing gear, but when I started it up it ran but didn't seem like it wasn't quite right (And also left two new black spots on the drive way from the exhaust). Earlier tonight I remebered that I had left the bypass wire in the diagnostic port when I was checking the engine codes

so I'll take that out tomorrow and buy an timing light, hopefully i can get it running back to normal again.

**langss** · 09-01-2006, 10:31 PM

I have an 86 TA 305 TPI. If you disconnected the battery it will take a little while of running for the computer to re-learn everything.I think mine took about a half hour and several startups. I dont think it was supposed to work that way.But as it got older and more miles(240,000) it seemed to take longer and longer. Good luck.

**86 IROC-Z** · 09-03-2006, 12:26 PM

Thanks, I tried that and after helping it idle, it finally was able to idle by itself, and after awhile the it was idling normally. The engine figured itself out, and was running fine. I got quite a scare after trying to take it around the cul-de-sac and the brakes didn't work, I thought I would have to bleed all the brakes again(my brother was helping me do it a few days ago and pressed the brake at the wrong time, Brake fluid all over the engine

) but it turns out I just forgot to reconnect the vacuum hose for the brake booster. I took it around town and everything is perfect, if not better than before. Thanks to all of you guys, you all were really helpful to me, I'm still a noob at this sort of thing