440IC crawler had 3 push rods

[Josey]

Gentlemen,

My father took the engine out of this crawler and when the head came off, there were three push rods and we’re wondering if the fourth fell into the oil pan. I was fishing around with a magnet and it feels like it is POSSIBLE but it would seem awfully unlikely given the diameter of the rod. For one, how could it slip out and down just by removing the head? Also the motor spins free, would have thought a rod slipping down would catch.

If there really were only three push rods, then what sort of disaster would this be? It’s hard to imagine someone taking out that rod as a “fix”.

Also, does anyone know how much a 440IC flywheel weigh? It looks like it is very heavy.

Near Cambridge, MN

[Jim B]

It should have 4 push rods in a 2 cylinder. Sounds like you need to drop the pan and find it (or the pieces).

[Josey]

Update!

The fourth push rod was in the oil pan, INTACT.

So I am wondering how common it is that they slip down there when you take the head off? What size are they supposed to be?

I have a hard time believing that the engine would be manufactured with the push rod being able to slip into the oil pan if it was within specifications. Nobody said this was a common occurrence or that it happened to them, so I’m wondering.

[Jim B]

Many engines are designed with drain passages to the oil pan that push rods can drop into or through, it is not anything unusual.

I remove the rocker shaft from the head and then I pull the pushrods before pulling the head and stick them through a piece of cardboard numbered 1 to 4 from the front of the engine so they go back in the same place. They go back in the engine after the head is on and torqued, before installing the rocker shaft. Leaving the pushrods in while removing and installing a head is a good way to damage/bend them, not just have them drop into the pan. I believe most mechanics follow this procedure.

Roll the pushrods on a flat surface, such as a piece of glass. Watch the middle of the push rod as it rolls it should stay the same distance of the glass as it rolls. If it drops close to the glass then moves up away from the glass as it rolls, that is a sign of a bent pushrod that should be replaced.