I have a 1963 Dodge Dart GT with an original 225 in it, which has run fine although it has sat for extended periods of time over that last 7 years (months between start ups). It has developed a problem now when I have started it the last couple times where a couple pushrods come free of the rocker arms. The first time I replaced the pushrods with some spares I had the motor ran fine. The car then sat for about month and it did same thing again the next time I started it. I have not pulled the vavle cover to see if it is the same cylinder or a different one. I thought it might be the lifters sticking, but wondered if anyone has encountered this problem or had any possibilties as to what is causing this. Appreciate any help here, thanks.

Rusted valve stems. Valves stick open, push rods drop off. Damage. ???

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"Louise", a 1976 Dart Custom project, (now sadly reverted to being just an "organ donor" to our other project Darts.)

In this thread --> http://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=58412
The poster is having a similar problem. At this point he seems to think it is deposits from old fuel building up on the valves causing them to stick (and the pushrods to fall out of the rockers when the car is parked overnight).

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Try running a can of good top end cleaner through it. Power Foam, or Sea Foam.

Sam

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Hey, you are near my old home town! Born in Montclair. Wife from Ontario.
Too hot and too many cars!
Anyway. I have discovered that the bad gas in mine is turning to a creosote like substance building up on the valves where it is exposed to combustion gasses. It worked itself down to the edge of the guide. This head is rebuilt and has only run long enough to get hot and valves adjusted.

I looked on line and saw what old gas can do on a couple of you tube vids. I assumed mine was fine as the previous owner ran the car until he overheated it and bent a few rods. He could have had the same problem as well and didn't know- it was 25 year old gas That is why I had the head rebuilt.

The crap in the heads and valves chipped off with my fingernail. I really got them clean, including the ports with some acetone. I decided to put new springs on while I was at it, didn't need them really but they don't cost much but doing it anyway. Draining the tank, flushing the lines, rebuilding the carb (separate problem with accelerator pump).

Should run great when I am done-need to be done before the snow flies.

Another reason I miss California. No snow except for Mt. Baldy.

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hot rodder at heart!