Broken Stud????
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Angry](/forums/images/icons/icon8.gif)
Well went to Cumberland again last week and during a trip to the falls I just get on plane and BANG the engine starts backfiring through the carb. No flame just one hell of a pop. I took the valve covers off and noticed that one of my exhaust studs had broke in two. I am using L31 Vortec heads with ARP guideplates and studs. 7/16 bottoms and 3/8 tops. I am using stock style Crane rockers with long slots. Comp cams pushrods and roller with 218/224 duration with 495/503 lift. Also Crane springs. The stud broke off about 1/2 the way up the threads on the 3/8 side. I ended up putting a stock lockwasher on to make it home. I am using Crane polylocks on the rest of the rockers. Everyone I talked to had never heard of a stud breaking there.....Which makes me feel great. Nothing like something braking in your engine with no explantion...Crane had no idea,neither did Comp-cams. My marine mechanic said it must have had to much heat treating.......Just a note i have had problems with the stock lockwashers coming loose so thats why I went with the polylocks. The stud broke off about 1/8" inside the polylock...Any ideas would be helpfull.
"Bad-Habit"
"Bad-Habit"
#2
Offshoreonly Advertiser
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/charter_member_star.gif)
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
It could be do to overtightning of the poly lock, or it could indicate valve float.
__________________
Marc
www.mercruiserparts.com
www.go-fast.com
www.bammarine.com
www.cyborgtransmissions.com
It's not alive -www.BoatStuffExpress.com - temporarily retired
Marc
www.mercruiserparts.com
www.go-fast.com
www.bammarine.com
www.cyborgtransmissions.com
It's not alive -www.BoatStuffExpress.com - temporarily retired
#3
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I had a similar experience several years ago. The stock type long slot rocker and ball were not up to my new cam and valve springs. I bet your rocker ball is worn enough to let the side of the rocker slot scrape on the stud. I switched to roller rockers, not a prob since.
#5
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I was kinda thinking along the same lines about the rockers...Any suggestions? I have the centerbolt heads which I belive limits my choices. I am using Moroso valve covers which advertise room for rollers...I would hate to buy a set and have them not fit. Crane advertises a set just for centerbolts but they are the only ones Ive seen.
Bad-Habit
Bad-Habit
#6
Registered
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Perhaps the pushrods are incorrect length. Did you use a pushrod rod length checking tool? Due to pushrods that were too long I once broke a rocker stud on a hydraulic flat tappet cam engine . Just a thought.
Rob
Rob
#7
Official OSO boat whore
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/charter_member_star.gif)
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Mequon, WI
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If he had a enough lift to cause a clearance issue between the rocker and the stud, then would he have seal damage?