Bent push rod.

Took a 25 minute flight from KJNX to KTTA to show a good friend that I had a well running airplane.   Everything was running perfect, and I was really feeling good about it all. Then two miles out, she started back firing. A few seconds later, it was a rhythmic pop in the exhaust, about once per second. I radioed that I was having engine problems and would be landing against the traffic.   Pointed the nose at 21 in a descending turn, and she quit as I was lining up. A short glide to a normal engine out landing, and I was able to coast most of the way to a parking space.
Got a taxi back to KJNX so that I could drive back with tools.  The plugs all looked good, if not indicative of running extra rich.  But when I pulled the valve cover, number two's exhaust rocker arm was cocked sideways, and the push rod was bent about 30 degrees where it exits the guide.  How does this even happen after 20 flight hours? Can I expect this to ever happen again?  Is there a way to prevent the rocker arms from rocking side to side?

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Permalink Reply by LARRY TRAMEL on April 8, 2022 at 8:27am

I am interested in the engine your selling just send me details  and prices. If yo want my email is lct17@mail.com

Permalink Reply by charlie rosenzweig on February 23, 2023 at 7:46am

Ernest,

I know it has been quite some time but I am curious how things turned out on your pushrod issue?  I sent you a friend request....Charlie 

Permalink Reply by LARRY TRAMEL on February 23, 2023 at 8:58am

Charlie, My name is Larry Tramel and I purchased the engine you are asking about. So far I disassembled the engine completely. The only thing I found was some minor damage from the pieces of broken pushrod. I'm reassembling it as we speak.I did replace all the lifters and will e checking the pushrod geometry to make sure it's correct. if you want any more information later  own let me know.

Permalink Reply by charlie rosenzweig on February 23, 2023 at 2:39pm

Larry,

Thanks a lot for the reply.  I am looking at buying a cruzer that has a corvair engine so I am trying my best to learn as much about the engines as possible.  Any thoughts on the cause of the failure?   Poss push rods not the correct length or adjusted correctly or possibly installed upside down.  I read folks had some differences of opinion on the orientation of the rods.....etc....

It is just a good learning experience for everyone to know what went wrong.

Permalink Reply by LARRY TRAMEL on February 23, 2023 at 4:46pm

 I believe the lock nut backed off they should have another jam nut to on top of the locking nut. If you use the the locking nut several times they don't hold as well. But I still want to check the lifter for breakage, also could be a week pushrod since it broke into. I will keep investigating .But it's not really important because I am going thru the complete engine an will be checking everything as I go. Feel free to contact me anytime.

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