Pushrods copper plated

Dean · Apr 25, 2017

Hi all

Just wondering has anyone seen this before. The ends of all 4 or my pushrods have an area of copper plate on.

It's 1968 Commando 128372. Pretty sure I'm the first person into the motor so I think they are factory original.

Have googled and haven't seen any others like this.

Any ideas?

Thanks Dean

Rohan · Apr 25, 2017

Could be something to do with the hardening process (?).
Keep some strength in the steel there under the copper, but the ball/cup needs to be harder.

Or maybe they just liked the pushrods to look pretty....

Interesting.

BTW, a good mechanic should leave no sign they have been in there,
so don't necessarily assume its untouched after all these years... ?

Fast Eddie · Apr 25, 2017

IMHO I would find it hard to imagine that no one had so much as removed the cylinder head at some point within the last 48 years...

Frankie17 · Apr 25, 2017

the copper plating is common place on triumph pushrod end caps

it protects the thin edge of the cup from the heat treatment required to harden the ball socket working surface only

over hardened end cups have a tendancy to split / chip the cups in use

Dean · Apr 25, 2017

Frankie17 said:
the copper plating is common place on triumph pushrod end caps

it protects the thin edge of the cup from the heat treatment required to harden the ball socket working surface only

over hardened end cups have a tendancy to split / chip the cups in use

Thanks for the info. That makes sense just had never seen it before.

Fast Eddie said:
IMHO I would find it hard to imagine that no one had so much as removed the cylinder head at some point within the last 48 years...

Yes is 48 years but it sat in a shed unused and unloved for about 35 years.

Rohan said:
Could be something to do with the hardening process (?).
Keep some strength in the steel there under the copper, but the ball/cup needs to be harder.

Or maybe they just liked the pushrods to look pretty....

Interesting.

BTW, a good mechanic should leave no sign they have been in there,
so don't necessarily assume its untouched after all these years... ?

Yes they do look pretty

Rohan · Apr 26, 2017

So, does it have std size pistons, with no lip/ridge in the bore at the top ?

Dean · Apr 28, 2017

Hi Rohan

Yes std bore and no wear but corrosion in the bores. 17000 mls on the clock.

D

Pushrods copper plated

Dean

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