The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop More pushrod trouble

What the hell is with these pushrods lately? On the 216 I just got running slightly bent a pushrod today.I had taken the truck for a 20 mile ride on the back roads, ran beautiful.This morning I started the truck,it backfired,ran on a few cylinders, clack clack clack,then cleared up,run smooth again, but the clacking continued. When I pulled the cover, one intake pushrod was slightly bent,the rocker adjustment was real loose, the adjuster nut was still tight.Lots of oil flow to the rockers.I just straightened the rod,adjusted the rocker and it's all wonderful again, idles so smooth and quiet.
Now this is the head I just had the valves done,all the valves were straight,cleaned like new, the guides were also cleaned, in fact the guide clearance is just a tad on the loose side.
Must be evil spirits in the engine.

The epidemic must be nationwide! I fired up a 350 engine on a run stand a couple of weeks ago, did a 20-minute break-in run on the camshaft, and goosed the throttle one time to clear the plugs. An exhaust valve siezed up in the guide, the piston hit it, and bent the valve and the pushrod. This was after a full workup on the heads, new valves, 3-angle seat job, guides reamed to exact clearance, pocket porting, the works! Must be gremlins!
Jerry