Can I replace push rod seals in car?

[orange914jeff]

Can push rod tube seals be replaced with engine in car? 1974 2.0

[schosh]

yes ..at least some of them.

You need to
pull the valve covers
unbolt the rocker arm assemblys
remove the push rods ( keep them in order)
remove the zig-zg springy looking thingy which holds the pushrod tubes(PT) in.
then gently but firmly grasp the PT and while slightly rotating ( to break the bond between seal and the heads/case. Once it breaks free you can extract throu the top of the head,
I was lucky when I had to do it ,,it was the exhaust on the #1 which was leaking. It may be closer to imposible on the tubes further to the front of the car. Also if the tubes are dented or bent...replace them..it's cheap insurance.

[skline]

They can all be done in the car. If there are dents in the tubes, it is best to replace them, however, if you cannot find replacements or suffer from the common "out of money" problem like some of us have, you can reuse them. Try to get them as straight as possible and put the flattest part of the tube facing down so the oil can travel easily back to the case. You may have to remove your heat exchangers to get at them but it can be done without removing the engine from the car.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I've done it without removing the heat exchangers. You dont really need to remove the tubes from the engine unless they are badly damaged...

Just enough to pull the pushrod out an the rocker parts.. Clean both surfaces very well and install the Viton type seals on the tube. Some people will tell you not to do it, but I also used a little Curil T on the mating surfaces to help prevent leaks a little more...

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Yup. All you have to do is pull the tubes out far enough that you can get at the seals. You can leave them "halfway out", with the middle of the tube sitting in the hole in the cylinder head. Not a problem to do all the tubes with the engine still in the car.

--DD