I just got back from the most reputable machine shop in town, they had a whole warehouse full of machinery and hundreds of engine blocks being worked on in various stages of repair, etc. Among them were a few 390 Ford FE blocks.
The shop foreman was kind enough to walk me through the place, talk to a couple of techs, and also show me the tool he used to insert their split pins. He said they do it all the time. He also said, he has done this to engines that were still in the vehicle in the past.
How this is done with the engine in the vehicle, while still using locktite, and keeping it off the cam bearing, is a mystery to me. I guess if it's a tight enough fit, you may not even need that locktite? I don't know.
He said the 1/4" roll pin should work in a 390 or 427 block, didn't really see how there should be any difference. If that doesn't work, however, then drilling and using the section of a pushrod might have to be used. The bulletin says to use a N size drill bit, and I found one, but it's only 4" long and the hole to be drilled is deeper than that. I understand I can order one, so I'll wait and see if Charles needs it first.
Actually, I would think any pushrod from any motor would work, metric or otherwise, as long as you could get an exact matchup from the outer size of the pushrod to the diameter of the hole to be drilled. Lets hope the split pin works !!!
Here's a photo of a couple 289 pushrods just to be sure, and some roll pins,(and yours truely) with the Nashville skyline in the background.
Charles, no gaurantees, but I sure hope you are able to put these parts to good use! (Going out this evening via Federal Express).
Regards, Paul