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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Why would anyone need hardened pushrods?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pokageek
  • Start date Start date Jun 14, 2005

Pokageek

Active Member
Jun 10, 2005
2,767
0
46
MA, USA
Jun 14, 2005
#1
  • Jun 14, 2005
  • #1
Does it make a set up like mine safer to run hard or is it more for really high HP or supercharging or something?? Just curious..y'all know my set up..I am getting a 306 with crane 2031, flat top pistons (highest compression possible on pump with the right heads), stock heads (for now), decked and honed(whatever that means). Thx.
 

RIO5.0

15 Year Member
Feb 16, 2001
6,892
8
128
N.H.
Jun 14, 2005
#2
  • Jun 14, 2005
  • #2
I thought they were only needed if running guides, due to the wear factor??
 

cobra259

Member
Jul 26, 2004
152
0
16
Waterford Mi
Jun 14, 2005
#3
  • Jun 14, 2005
  • #3
They didn't cost me much...just some ins....I guess. Rio5.0 is right..they are only (req) with guide plates.
I've got a set for sale (crane stk length) if your looking...New in the package, cheap.
 
S

SlowGT

Founding Member
Jun 17, 1999
826
0
0
Columbia Co, PA
Jun 15, 2005
#4
  • Jun 15, 2005
  • #4
Pokageek said:
...with the right heads...
Click to expand...

...and that will determine the necessity of hardened pushrods
 

94GTLaserRC

Squint as you approach, lest you be blinded by my
15 Year Member
May 7, 2002
11,178
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89
Ernan Says "here it comes... dushbag"
Jun 15, 2005
#5
  • Jun 15, 2005
  • #5
If it's only a little more $$, why NOT do it while youre in there changing everything else?
RC
 

jmagilto

New Member
Aug 14, 2003
19
0
1
Jun 15, 2005
#6
  • Jun 15, 2005
  • #6
A couple of good reasons.

If you run guide plates you will need hardened pushrods. Otherwise when the guide plates come into contact with the pushrod they will begin to wear and as the pushrod is 'eroded' by the guide plate contact, the ejected metal from the pushrod will flow into your oil and potentially cause excessive wear on your bearings. Additionally, as the pushrods wear, they will eventually fail/bend.
 

94GTLaserRC

Squint as you approach, lest you be blinded by my
15 Year Member
May 7, 2002
11,178
13
89
Ernan Says "here it comes... dushbag"
Jun 15, 2005
#7
  • Jun 15, 2005
  • #7
jmagilto said:
If you run guide plates you will need hardened pushrods. Otherwise when the guide plates come into contact with the pushrod they will begin to wear and as the pushrod is 'eroded' by the guide plate contact, the ejected metal from the pushrod will flow into your oil and potentially cause excessive wear on your bearings. Additionally, as the pushrods wear, they will eventually fail/bend.
Click to expand...

I agree about the "wear" and erosion...but are there REALLY going to be metal pieces flowing around in there? Erosion is a long-term process. Im assuming we are all chaning the oil regularly. Hardened ones should def. be used, but is the metal in the oil more just 'theoretical'?
RC
 

final5-0

Mustang Master
Apr 6, 2003
6,817
12
79
DFW Texas
Jun 15, 2005
#8
  • Jun 15, 2005
  • #8
94GTLaserRC said:
I agree about the "wear" and erosion...but are there REALLY going to be metal pieces flowing around in there? Erosion is a long-term process. Im assuming we are all chaning the oil regularly. Hardened ones should def. be used, but is the metal in the oil more just 'theoretical'?
RC
Click to expand...

RC

I have not had the probs you talk about but I have seen threads where peeps did not know to use hardeded pr's when needed and they said they had metal shavings everywhere.

Later
Grady
 

jmagilto

New Member
Aug 14, 2003
19
0
1
Jun 15, 2005
#9
  • Jun 15, 2005
  • #9
My brother (dodgestang) and I built a 408 stroker cleveland. Langhorne speed shop gave us non hardened pushrods by accident. It was carnage. Metal everywhere. Don't mess around here. Its not worth it.
jer
 
M

MarkFJ40

Member
Jun 3, 2005
44
0
6
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Jun 15, 2005
#10
  • Jun 15, 2005
  • #10
High lift cams need valve springs with more pressure to prevent valve float.
The extra pressure and extra high rpm can hockey stick your push rods.
It sucks. Let me tell you.
 
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