Push rod jumping out of place

[forden]

Motor is a '65 200 ci, non-adjustable rocker arms

Last month the motor sounded like a cylinder had gone, and after a compression test identifying #6 I pulled the valve cover and found a push rod had jumped out from under the rocker arm. Push rod appeared straight and rocker arm was moving freely. I pulled the rocker arm assembly, turned the crank and the push rod in question appeared to travel up and down sufficiently compared to the others (so not cam?). I re-seated it under the rocker arm along with all the others, reassembled, and that resolved the issue for the the next few times I ran it. On last start though, from the sound of it, it has reoccurred.

My first guess is cooked lifter. Am I right I have to pull the head to replace that? Some conflicting info out there on that.

Other thoughts on root cause? Anyone seen this before?

Thanks
Mike

[lavron]

My first guess is cooked lifter. Am I right I have to pull the head to replace that?

Yes, the hole in the head is too small for the lifter to come out.

Also if you can find an early 170 or 144 adjustable rocker arm assembly you would have adjustment should you need it.

See Ya,
Mike