General Pushrods for a 479cc

Currently reading:
General Pushrods for a 479cc

SeanyGen

New member
Joined
Apr 19, 2017
Messages
2
Points
1
Location
Cambridgeshire
Hi Everyone.



New to the forum and currently nearing the end of a long and rather trying restoration of my 1959N. But I need help.


I decided to try and retain the originality of the car by keeping the 479cc engine block (and number).
I've had the block bored to take 499cc barrels, renewed almost everything inside and had work done on the original head (bigger valves, hardened seats etc). All was going well until a bench test highlighted a bent pushrod :(. I had a few spares from a later engine so went for a straight swap of all four.


Unfortunately the later ones I discovered, were 5mm shorter than the originals, too short for me to adjust out the gap with the adjusters on the rocker assembly. The 479cc rocker assembly is taller than the later versions and has shorter rocker arms (The smaller valves on the 479cc head are in a slightly different position to the ones in the later head). So, I changed the rocker assembly for the later one and tried that. Although it fitted, and ran really well (for a short while) things weren't quite lining up, and the shorter (later) rocker made the tolerances really close around the top of the spring.

After a trip around the garden, she lost a cylinder. A quick inspection under the cover revealed a broken rocker arm. This could have been due to an existing and unseen fault on that component, or my mistake for tying to fit later components to an early engine.


I have decided to try and reinstate the original taller rocker to get the proper clearance for that head and valve gear, and here lies my problem.
I only have three original pushrods (240mm from the top of the cup to the bottom of the "ball") and nowhere seems to have them in stock, they only the later (and shorter) 235mm versions.


I am hoping that some kind soul on here, may know where I can find one, either new or (most likely) second hand, or may have one they are no longer using and are willing to sell. (I am willing to beg if need be :D)


The alternative is to try and get one made at a local engineering firm, but I would prefer an original.


Many thanks for any help anyone can offer.
 

Attachments

  • 20170418_200427.jpg
    20170418_200427.jpg
    416.9 KB · Views: 27
Try Kelvyne Baker ([email protected]) or Dave Porthouse ('Rusty's Uncle' on the Forum). Both have a large collection of 500 engines of all vintages and may be able to help.
banghead.gif
smile.gif
 
Hi
Thank you for those contacts. I will try both, hopefully it will get me out of the 479 pickle I currently find myself in.
All the best.
 
Back
Top