Re: [Amc-list] push rods in a OHV 196

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Greg brings up some good points, and I believe has the answer:
1. The 196 engines all have mechanical lifters. Make sure they are adjusted correctly before doing anything else. If you have a little "sewing machine" valve noise that's normal. Anything more and the valves are too loose. It should sound like a well-oiled sewing machine with the valve cover off, muted (and less noise) with the cover on and hood open. 

2. The pushrods on the 196 OHV are solid. Unless you're darn good you can't straighten them though. They will have a tendency to bend where there is still a slight (probably unseen/unnoticeable) bend. You can use hollow pushrods -- they might even be a bit stronger. No need to plug the ends or anything since the sold lifters don't supply oil to the pushrods. 

3. Loosing pushrods for no apparent reason is the classic sign that the valves are sticking in the guides. You can try to spray penetrating oil up under the valve stem seals on the sticking ones, but that's not likely to fix the problem. An oil additive like "Seafoam" which you don't have to drain will help, but you'll be better off to use an engine flush. It would be best to drive the car around for 10-15 minutes, pour in the flush, let it idle for 5-10 minutes, then change the oil. You might want to run some "Seafoam" in the oil for the first change or two also. 

DO NOT drive the car with engine flush in it! It's enough lubrication for no load running, but not enough for a load! The main ingredient in commercial engine flush is diesel fuel, but they do have other additives such as detergent that cleans a bit better than just using diesel. 


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Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:27:27 -0700 (PDT)
From: Joe Smith <know_ware@xxxxxxxxx>
The OHV?196 in my 61 keeps dropping push?rods 3 and 5.? Are they too short?? 
?http://360.yahoo.com/karl_haart


From: Greg Taylor <amundaza@xxxxxxxxx>
First off, someone chime in here ... does the 196 OHV have solid or hydraulic lifters?  If hydraulic, the lifters could be 'bad'.  Another option is the valves corresponding to these pushrods could be sticking some in the guides.  Last of all, the cam lobes could be worn slightly. 

-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
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