I am new to this forum and I hope someone here can help me. I have a 78 bronco with a 460. I do not have alot of experience with the internals of motors but I want to learn. I took the valve covers off after buying the bronco and found two bent push rods. After removing the intake I found that on one side after changing the push rod and rocker arm everything seems to be moving properly when I turn the motor. On the other side though after changing the arm and rod I rolled the motor over and the rocker arm will not push down on the spring. The new rocker arm actually broke when I tried. Like I said I don't really know what I am doing and have no guidance other than what I get online so any info would be helpful. Thanks

 

When you replaced the push rods how tight did you tighten the rocker arms? I leave them loose and start the engine w/o the valve covers on and listen to them rattle. I then tighten them up slowly until the rattle stops. ( Of course this is messy so laying down some rags to keep the oil contained is optional) Have you checked the oil for metal contamination? If you pull the rocker arm off and the springs, do the valves move freely?