After a less than spirited drive, the Pantera came home with a noticeable tapping sound near the passenger valve cover. After removing the valve cover I quickly found the loose rocker. The source of the looseness was a mashed push rod end at the rocker arm. I have seen bent pushrods in the past but this is the first time for a mashed pushrod. The engine is a bone stock 1971 351C with low miles. Napa actually had the replacement in stock for less than $5. It is good that I caught it before the end completely broke off and dropped down to who knows where. Has anyone seen this before and/or know the root cause?
