Broken and bent push rods

Does anyone have any experience with push rods. my early ninety broke down. I dismantled the head as I thought it was top end. One broken push rod. And 3 bent ones. what the hell happened. Is it just bad luck or a serious problem elsewhere. I have recently changed the timing belt. And most things are good. Help Please.
before I re assemble.

paul griggs said:

Does anyone have any experience with push rods. my early ninety broke down. I dismantled the head as I thought it was top end. One broken push rod. And 3 bent ones. what the hell happened. Is it just bad luck or a serious problem elsewhere. I have recently changed the timing belt. And most things are good. Help Please.
before I re assemble.

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For a start, please stop posting all your threads in the Members Vehicles section. I have reported 2 of them, and they will be re-posted in the Defender section in due course.

I have plenty of experience of push rod engines.
And I can tell you one thing for certain.
If you have 3 bent pushrods and one broken one, it is not bad luck. You have a problem which is causing them to bend.
Could be you have put the belt on wrong, could be your tappets are nowhere near the right settings, or that the pushrods were not correctly seated in the followers. Or that you have the wrong thickness head gasket. Valves hitting pistons is a common cause of push rod issues.

You need to find, and rectify, the original cause, and then replace the head, using new pushrods, and a new head gasket. Or the problem will happen again.

Sorry if I have offended you in posting in the wrong place
Sometimes I find it difficult to navigate this page.

paul griggs said:

Sorry if I have offended you in posting in the wrong place
Sometimes I find it difficult to navigate this page.

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Takes a lot more than that to offend me!
But try this link for future queries, this section is supposed to be for pics of Members Vehicles and Projects, like it says on the tin.

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/forum/defender-90-110-130.7/

And whilst you are here, tell us what kind of engine we are dealing with on this one?

The obvious conclusion is the valve timing is way out or the cam belt adjuster has slipped causing
Valve contact with the pistons ,not knowing your engine but guessing it’s a 200tdi/ 300tdi ?

Europa486 said:

The obvious conclusion is the valve timing is way out or the cam belt adjuster has slipped causing
Valve contact with the pistons ,not knowing your engine but guessing it’s a 200tdi/ 300tdi ?

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Guessing the cam pulley has ended up several teeth out after the cambelt change, causing the valves to hit the pistons.

He says in post one it is an early Ninety, so it will only be a Tdi if re-engined with one.

Thanks guys. My engine is a Bulk standard. 19j.

paul griggs said:

Thanks guys. My engine is a Bulk standard. 19j.

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I would try getting a new belt, and a set of timing pins, and change the belt again, with great attention to the instructions.

Then get a new set of rods, and a new composite head gasket, put it all back together and set the tappets.
Check carefully for cracks in the head and pistons before putting the head back on.
If in doubt, post some pics, and I will look at them for you.

It will probably be fine, those engines aren't the best, but they are pretty tough, and usually run despite a bit of damage.

I’ve taken a few

paul griggs said:

I’ve taken a few

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On the bits I can see, that looks OK. The most common cracks of concern on the head are between the valves, and between the valve seats and where the swirl chambers sit in the head. If the pins inside the swirl chambers are badly broken, the caps need to be replaced. Small cracks around the mouth of the swirl chamber can be ignored. Replacing the roll pins that hold the swirls in place is a bit fiddly, but doable.

LOL, I just replied to this in the other (Power Steering Project) thread here :-

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/power-steering-to-a-early-90.372246/page-2#post-5233138

So I'll not copy and paste here

But yes, @paul griggs these guys know more than I and seem to ask the same questions and concur with what I said re possible Broken / Jumped Cam Belt or Tappet Adjustment and checking Valves, Pistons and Head carefully

Thank you very much. I will let you know how I get on. your help here is very much appreciated