push rod replacement - longer rods? lifters no longer available ?

[4x4prepper]

Even though I have a newly rebuilt 2.8L engine in my garage, this (original ?) 2.8L is still running okay after 265,000+ miles in this Bronco 2. Some results from the original compression test before I converted to points, then Duraspark II.

Compression Test: 2016-03-03
done cold after adjusting valves
#1 - 160
#2 - 143
#3 – 125
#4 - 145
#5 - 145
#6 – 140

Compression Test: 2021-11-25 hot
#1 - 185
#2 - 174
#3 – 179
#4 - 170
#5 - 155
#6 – 184

Compression Test: 2021-11-25
done cold after adjusting valves
#1 - 168
#2 - 180
#3 – 169
#4 - 149
#5 - 145
#6 – 181

I have the round hollow adjusters that uses a 7/16” nut – no jam nut – interference fit

Here is the problem, adjusted all the way down,

Cyl #5 – Intake valve – has no adjustment left – flopping around

Cyl #4
Intake and exhaust valves –have no adjustment left – flopping around

Since it has okay compression, I doubt the push rods are not on the lifter for #4 and #5, plus, I watched for movement #4 #5 intake when adjusting lash. Sounds okay running, just more ticking then I would like.

My problem is, I need more adjustment. So, the question is:

Has anyone used longer length rods to account for wear when there is no more adjustment left on the interference nut?

If so, what kind?

I am not sure replacing only the lifters on #4 and #5 on a well worn cam and engine would be a swell idea and I think just longer rods might be okay.

Besides, seems lifters are not to be easily found and RockAuto wants you to order 128 of them as a package.

I have driven it about 4,000 miles in 4 years. I mainly use it for towing a dual axle trailer for firewood and a sawmill, including off road. I rarely take it over 60 MPH or even close to 4,000 RPMs.

Any suggestions?

(-:

 

[dvdswan]

Assuming your talking about the 85, rockauto is showing lifters individually...

1985 FORD BRONCO II 2.8L 171cid V6 Valve Lifter | RockAuto

one has 12 available for 3.86 ea. and another has only 2 available for 5.10 ea.

 

[AndyB.]

Your adjusters look like this, and you’re out of adjustment?

You’ll have to pull heads to get the lifters out. When I removed mine, I couldn’t get them out from the top, once I removed the cam I had to drive them in and fish them out through the cam tunnel.

 

[Angie]

here is what I would do in your situation....

I would write to these guys and ask them the same question. they should be able to help you out.

cheers

Pushrods | Smith Brothers Pushrods | Redmond

Smith Brothers Pushrods has the right pushrod for your application! We build superior quality pushrods for performance cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors, restoration and custom projects

www.pushrods.net

 

[4x4prepper]

Your adjusters look like this, and you’re out of adjustment?

You’ll have to pull heads to get the lifters out. When I removed mine, I couldn’t get them out from the top, once I removed the cam I had to drive them in and fish them out through the cam tunnel.

Thank you for the excellent picture. Yes, mine look just like that and same lower thermostat. I am out of adjustment and they are cranked all the way down. Two others are cranked down, but, they are barely making the .014 and .016. I do not see how the push rods could not be seated and still be making almost 150 psi cold, though maybe they are bent? I hate taking the covers off again, I just put a new set of valve cover gaskets and they do not appear to be leaking at the moment. I did double check the lash adjusters to make sure I was adjusting them on the correct stroke and went through both sides twice using a check list. Then I did the compression check.

The vehicle had 260,000+ miles on it before I traded (2) Mosin 91/30s for it, so, who knows what happened to it in that 30 years. I might have done #3 incorrectly the first time six years ago, mixed Intake with exhaust, because it made far more compression this time.

I hate pulling a motor that is still making decent power or removing the heads and camshaft if a push rod will do it.

I did find a Melling on Summit that looks promising MPR-349, 5/16 and 5.801 in long.

 

[4x4prepper]

Thank you for the Smith Brother lead, that is exactly what I needed.

Assuming your talking about the 85, rockauto is showing lifters individually...

1985 FORD BRONCO II 2.8L 171cid V6 Valve Lifter | RockAuto

one has 12 available for 3.86 ea. and another has only 2 available for 5.10 ea.

They only have two available at the moment and the choice for the box of 128 has disappeared.