Oliver 1365 broken push rods

[Jennajane]

My 1974 Oliver 1365 started making a 'noise' several weeks ago. I couldn't find where the noise was coming from and it still seemed to be running fine so I kept working. Yesterday the noise got worse and I lost power. Started heading back to the shop, lost more power than stopped. I dug around a big and found 2 broken push rods and at least one bent one. Took the oil pan off looking for the broken bits and so far just found some metal shavings.

How bad is it? Should I take the head off to inspect the top of the pistons? Did it get out of time and a piston hit a valve? Maybe I just gave it too much ether (I use maybe twice a year)? Any ideas?

I am a vegetable farmer and I need this tractor to grow my veggies.
Thanks,
Jenna

 

[aircommuter]

If that engine has a side cover the pieces could be in there. I would replace the pushrods all of them, adjust the valves and see if it turns over normally and retest. There should be a reason why they broke, valve timing off, or perhaps rocker arms not getting oil causing them to sieze and bend a rod. Just some possibilities without being able to see it.