Stretching pushrod tubes

[Bryan Cotton]

Hey all,
When you are reusing a set of pushrod tubes, how much do you stretch them first? Is there a good method to stretch them? I'm finding it awkward because there is not anything good to grab onto.

[kmacht]

You don’t need to stretch them very much. Maybe an 1/8” per side. You should be able to just pull out them a little bit with your fingers. You are just trying to stretch them enough so they squish back down and make a good seal when you torque the heads. Wear gloves when you do it as the ends can be sharp.

[Bryan Cotton]

Thanks, that's about how much I could stretch them.

[karmarepair]

From ShopTalk Forums: "Place them in your hand and use your thumb to push the bellows part over. Turn 180 degrees and push it back the other way. Do it a couple of times, then center the opening, then turn it around and do the same to the other end."

[Bryan Cotton]

From ShopTalk Forums: "Place them in your hand and use your thumb to push the bellows part over. Turn 180 degrees and push it back the other way. Do it a couple of times, then center the opening, then turn it around and do the same to the other end."

Thanks, that's similar to what I did. Heads are on and there seemed to be plenty of force on the tubes. I'm off to my quest of the elusive "Dry AeroVee."

[Area 51%]

I'm off to my quest of the elusive "Dry AeroVee."

I think I saw one in a picture once. Couldn't tell for sure because the image was really fuzzy, and the engine was partially blocked by Big Foot.