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Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts...

Posted By: magnum440d100

Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 05:06 AM

Pulled this engine apart. Has rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts, and heads.

What would cause this? Other than a sloppy chain, motor seems solid. I pulled the intake, and its like new there. Just the top of the head/rockers are RUSTY. Under the valve covers is also rusty.

Head gaskets maybe? But why just the top end rusty? Wouldn't the valley be rusted out too?

Motor is a 1976 360. Picked it up to replace the 318 for now until the other 360 is done. 318 finally said kafrigginboom.
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 05:52 AM

The rust is probably from condensation and the possibility that the engine was ran cold too often.
I have had engines that had steam type vapor come from the breather until the engine warmed up.
Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 07:17 AM

Quote:

The rust is probably from condensation and the possibility that the engine was ran cold too often.
I have had engines that had steam type vapor come from the breather until the engine warmed up.




Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 08:11 AM

Next question.

I have an "extra set" of rockers and shafts, and rods. If I replaced just the rusty stuff, would it be "ok"?

Not looking to spend too much money on this motor. Just a temporary replacement, and any money spent on it takes away from the good 360 build.

Pics coming soon. Just got too late and dark.
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 08:50 AM

Seems to me that once the oil gets up to temp it will absorb the moisture still present. The rust may dissolve in the oil if it has a high detergent package to it. I'd probably be diligent about oil and fliter changes though.
Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 12:13 PM

just swap out the shafts/rockers/push rods any springs or retainers that might be rusted up. (318 parts will fit)

clean the rust from the head with a wire brush and shop vac as you brush the rust loose.

just make sure your shafts are on the correct way for each head and the offset is correct on each rocker as they slide on the shaft.

you dont want any loose rust floating around in there when it goes back into srevice.
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 02:29 PM

Thanks Mike. That sounds promising. I have a set of stock rockers that are zinc(?) plated from a 79 360 that I can throw in there. Also have a set of steel shim head gaskets I bought that I can't use since I'm going with aluminum heads on the other motor. Looks like these heads are coming off, and getting cleaned up. I'd feel better knowing it had new head gaskets anyway.

Thanks for the help guys
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 06:30 PM

Passenger side

Attached picture 7775144-image.jpg
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 06:32 PM

Another passenger side

Attached picture 7775150-image.jpg
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 06:37 PM

Drivers side

Attached picture 7775154-image.jpg
Posted By: old_goat

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 06:50 PM

I tore down a /6 that had similar issues top end rust wise. Turned out it was the head gasket.
Sounds like ya are on the right path!

Keep
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 07:48 PM

That's good to hear that I'm on the right path

Especially because I just tore the heads off Gonna tear them down and do some bowl work, and clean up what I can. Springs aren't as bad as I thought. So I might just be able to clean as much rust off as I can and run it like that.

Just picked up a gasket set, an the pan is coming off here shortly. Gonna check out the bottom end.

Hopefully it was just head gaskets. No obvious signs of failure. Maybe not torqued enough?
Posted By: R/T Lee

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/13/13 11:25 PM

You said you just tore it down. How long has it been out of a car/truck? It looks like typical rust that collects on engines that have been sitting for a while. I see it all the time, I would be surprised if I didn't see any rust. I have seen those engine covers in Summit magazines, never bought one, but Im pretty sure that's why people use them, to prevent what happened to yours. I hate Murphy and his stupid laws!!
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/14/13 12:06 AM

Quote:

You said you just tore it down. How long has it been out of a car/truck? It looks like typical rust that collects on engines that have been sitting for a while. I see it all the time, I would be surprised if I didn't see any rust. I have seen those engine covers in Summit magazines, never bought one, but Im pretty sure that's why people use them, to prevent what happened to yours. I hate Murphy and his stupid laws!!




It was installed in a 59 dodge panel van, sedan delivery type truck. Supposedly sat for only 5 years.

Pulled the lifters out. The bottom and sides of the passenger last 4 were rusty too. Cam looks amazingly clean.

Haven't pulled the heads apart yet. Still waiting on a friend.
Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/14/13 12:16 AM

those will clean up ez enuff with some PB Blaster & light blasting or tumbler at the machine shop.

just make sure there is no rust on the bottom of shaft where the rocker slides.

I use a straight wire brush in a die grinder to de-carbon the chambers before removing the valves,

soak valves in carb cleaner while i tape the seats up(Just learned this trick) so you dont nick them with a stone or sand/buff roll belending the cut lines and pocket porting the bowls.

might want to put a straight edge across the deck surface for a fast look to see if they need machine work that is obvious with the eye.

mag them for cracks when blown headgaskets are culprate.
Posted By: ek3

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/14/13 02:55 AM

Quote:

Pulled this engine apart. Has rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts, and heads.

What would cause this? Other than a sloppy chain, motor seems solid. I pulled the intake, and its like new there. Just the top of the head/rockers are RUSTY. Under the valve covers is also rusty.

Head gaskets maybe? But why just the top end rusty? Wouldn't the valley be rusted out too?

Motor is a 1976 360. Picked it up to replace the 318 for now until the other 360 is done. 318 finally said kafrigginboom.

two things to consider with rust. 1. rust on a valve spring is not good as it can become a fracture point. 2. rust inside the ports or bowls will wipe out a fresh valve job. just fyi......
Posted By: R/T Lee

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/14/13 03:23 AM

From what you said, this is just a "temporary" motor, until your "Good one" is completed. Knowing that, I would clean up the motor the best you can, and unless the head gasket is 100% blown, I would go with it. Clean as much rust as you can, wipe everything down, and mask off any holes or ports that rust and dirt may end up when you clean it up. Some people go overboard handing out advice when its not their money or time... I'm not saying people are purposely giving bad information or advice. But over the years I've noticed some people go way over the top when giving advice. I mean come on It's a CHRYSLER, of course it will run!!!
Posted By: burdar

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/14/13 03:40 AM

An over night soaking in some home made EvapoRust should take care of that rust.
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/14/13 04:17 AM

Quote:

From what you said, this is just a "temporary" motor, until your "Good one" is completed. Knowing that, I would clean up the motor the best you can, and unless the head gasket is 100% blown, I would go with it. Clean as much rust as you can, wipe everything down, and mask off any holes or ports that rust and dirt may end up when you clean it up. Some people go overboard handing out advice when its not their money or time... I'm not saying people are purposely giving bad information or advice. But over the years I've noticed some people go way over the top when giving advice. I mean come on It's a CHRYSLER, of course it will run!!!





Yeah this is a temporary motor. Didn't get the heads finished, hopefully tomorrow.

The other 360 is still a year away, money wise. This motor has to last at LEAST a year.
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/14/13 04:19 AM

Quote:

An over night soaking in some home made EvapoRust should take care of that rust.



what's the recipe?
Posted By: burdar

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/14/13 04:32 AM

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...rt=all&vc=1
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/14/13 06:41 PM

Quote:

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...rt=all&vc=1



Thanks

Headed to the store to get the stuff
Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/14/13 08:03 PM

IMO there's been many motors like that started up and run many miles and the rusty rocker arms were just fine. It happens when a motor is stored in a unheated area and not run, condensation then rust.

A scotchbrite pad and some work hand work and they would be fine to run just as long as they are not all pitted up in the important areas. They get inspected that way.
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/15/13 04:38 AM

So after starting on the heads, we noticed one casting was thicker. One side ended up being a 915(?) casting and the other was a 596 casting.

So we pulled my smogger 596 heads off the shelf and tore those down.

Besides needing stem seals, they looked 1000x better than those other ones. So valve stem seals on order, and they should be going together. Did some bowl work, cleaning up some boogers sticking into the ports. Just going to do a quick lap job, clean em up a bit. Hopefully they don't smoke.

Pics to come soon I hope. It takes a while to resize them on my phone. I miss my computer haha

Edit. How do I plug those ports? I'm thinking 1/4" drill, and a 1/4" 20 tap, with set screws. Anything else easier? Or CHEAPER lol do I need a special bit?
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/17/13 06:12 AM

Update. Reassembled the smogger heads.

I wanted to post pics of the work, but my buddy is an old racer. Said he did some things not everyone knows about. We cleaned the ports and bowls up

So here's the driver side when we started reassembly. New aprons/valve stem seals.

Attached picture 7779594-image.jpg
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/17/13 06:16 AM

Fully assembled.

Attached picture 7779599-image.jpg
Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Rusty rocker arms, pushrods, rocker shafts... - 07/17/13 06:22 AM

All wrapped up and ready to go home. The old heads are still in the trunk. Should pull them out. Eh. Later.

Attached picture 7779603-image.jpg
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