[RalphieDC]

With that much play you have a severly bent pushrod or a completely wiped cam and lifter.
- a bended pushrod can be checked by just rotating it if its this much play.
Get a look at the lifter and cam..

Pulled the push rod, but only about 2 inches when it got stuck it's so bent. Now the only question is what other damage do I have to deal with. Thanks everyone for the advice, it may be a few weeks before I get back to it but I'll update when i know more.

 

[68RT]

Once you get the bent rod out, take a good one and see if you have correct lift and if the adjusting screw is close in height to the other rockers when adjusted. If it is close, I would try it for a while, make sure you can't see scoring on the valve stem and that oil is getting to all appropriate places.

 

[RalphieDC]

I've got to work at straightening the rod enough to pull it out without pulling the head if possible. I'll update as I go.

 

[85lebaront2]

I've got to work at straightening the rod enough to pull it out without pulling the head if possible. I'll update as I go.

Before I would pull the head, since in order to get the head off, the intake needs to come off. I would see how bad it's bent there, it probably won't be easy to straighten without at least removing the intake.

 

[RalphieDC]

A guy can hope right?

 

[chuzz]

Is the poly a solid or hydraulic lift engine? I'm asking because if it's hydraulic lifter, perhaps the lifter is clogged and not functioning correctly and that could be the cause of the bent push rod. I'm not a mechanic, as you all should know by now, but I'm not too old to keep learning. 65 is the old 64, right? LOL

 

[68RT]

Is the poly a solid or hydraulic lift engine? I'm asking because if it's hydraulic lifter, perhaps the lifter is clogged and not functioning correctly and that could be the cause of the bent push rod. I'm not a mechanic, as you all should know by now, but I'm not too old to keep learning. 65 is the old 64, right? LOL

Since we have valve clearance settings, it has solid lifters.

 

[RalphieDC]

Is the poly a solid or hydraulic lift engine? I'm asking because if it's hydraulic lifter, perhaps the lifter is clogged and not functioning correctly and that could be the cause of the bent push rod. I'm not a mechanic, as you all should know by now, but I'm not too old to keep learning. 65 is the old 64, right? LOL

Definitely a solid lifter, the engine had been sitting for almost 30 years but ran well when parked. I'm pretty sure I bent the push rod trying to get the engine unstuck and bumping it with the starter.

 

[chuzz]

Thanks for that information, guys. I'll try to remember it in case I run across an old Mopar with the poly engine for sale someday.