I keep reading on different sites the reoccurring theme of *low tech pushrod designs* . Could someone tell me what is wrong with a pushrod motor?

Do cams really belong on top of hot cylinder heads where the followers and lobes are fried in the hot oil ?

I am not really saying the Polaris 700 is a perfect motor , but I really don't see where one can draw the conclusion *it has pushrods, so it must a real pile*

I realize DOHC motors with buckets and shims can be an advantage due to getting a better angle into the combustion chamber. I just don't understand the *pushrod = junk* way of thought .

 

one of the most potent engines in the good old USA is the LS-1 pushrod engine chevy chose to put in my 2002 C-5 corvette.

 

Nothing wrong with a pushrod motor Harleys have been using them forever.And they win lots of races.Getting more high tech all the time.Plus the snowmobile motors are pushrod and they fly too.

 

You gots to remember some people think that if you aint keeping up with the jones in making different/new engines then you are inferior.

 

Rick think the 700 will fit in a current Scrambler chassis

 

Honda put pushrods in their Rubi 500 to make the height of the engine lower,Polaris might of had that in mind also.

 

Which snowmobile engines are you refering to? One of the new 4 strokes?

 

I guess some people just don't like a proven, reliable, low maintanence engine.
Why call the engine 'low tech' or 'dated' when it is the first that I know of with self-adjusting valves..

Also...why did the magazine I was reading call the pushrod on the Sportsman 'dated' and a similar styled engine of another make 'proven'?

I think it is just another way to find fault with somehting. It has been my experience that if you are looking for virtue in something, you will find it, just as you will find fault with anything if you look hard enough.



PS Rick, the ol' Xplorer is still running like a top! I expect another 5000 miles out of it the way it is going.

 

I would get into this discussion, but I am not 100% sure what a "pushrod" engine is. Could someone explain for me please>? Thanks!

Madman

 

A pushrod is the rod that goes up and down when the cam spins around, they push the valves up and down.