The Ford Barn

JimNNN · 06-28-2021, 10:15 AM

The other day I decided to put the new Elgin push rods I bought (a while back) in the 239 since I was going to be checking and setting the lash again anyway. However, I saw that the replacement push rods were not the same as the originals. They were thicker and they were longer by about 1/8" I'd say, with kind of a ball on the bottom of them. I thought wherever I got them from had sold me the wrong rods.

I went to Elgin's website, however, and found that the part number on my new rods is correct for a 1954 Ford 239 Y-block. Also, I saw (on ebay) yesterday a set of new 239 rods that look pretty much like the Elgin replacements I bought (but they aren't Elgin.)

Are the Elgins different from the originals as an improvement in the design? Can I use them? I understand that being thicker might keep them from bending, but the fact that they were longer than the originals made me pause. There's more than enough threads in the rocker arm adjustment to adjust out for the longer length, but I didn't want to put them in until I talked to you guys. Thanks.

06-28-2021, 10:15 AM	#1
JimNNN Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 522	'54 Y-Block push rods The other day I decided to put the new Elgin push rods I bought (a while back) in the 239 since I was going to be checking and setting the lash again anyway. However, I saw that the replacement push rods were not the same as the originals. They were thicker and they were longer by about 1/8" I'd say, with kind of a ball on the bottom of them. I thought wherever I got them from had sold me the wrong rods. I went to Elgin's website, however, and found that the part number on my new rods is correct for a 1954 Ford 239 Y-block. Also, I saw (on ebay) yesterday a set of new 239 rods that look pretty much like the Elgin replacements I bought (but they aren't Elgin.) Are the Elgins different from the originals as an improvement in the design? Can I use them? I understand that being thicker might keep them from bending, but the fact that they were longer than the originals made me pause. There's more than enough threads in the rocker arm adjustment to adjust out for the longer length, but I didn't want to put them in until I talked to you guys. Thanks.