Double and triple check push rods the most common cause of misfire after cam they can appear to be clicked in and one wont be all the way. I do this literally almost every time I rebuild a 5.7 never fails Also you may wanna check the VVT solenoid easy to break when pulling the cam.
Hi there, I am back after collecting myself, only took 3 months lol.
YOU were 100% right! The issue was the VVT SOLENOID, and an unseated exhaust pushrod on cyl 6 causing a misfire.
Previous owner of truck got ahold of me and mentioned he has replaced the VVT solenoid 2x already, that's when I realized I haven't actually checked that yet, as when you mentioned it in this post I mistaken it for the crank sensor which I did replace.
Ran 80% better instantly but then unseated a push rod right after, throwing a P0306 code, misfire in #6.
Changed plugs out with 4 different ones, switched fuel injectors, changed coil pack, checked wiring and still misfire, also smoke coming from injecting hole when I pulled it from the intake, when lead me to believe exhaust valve not opening. Pulled valve cover and sure enough exhaust pushrod was just laying there for cyl #6.
Seated all rods on that rocker arm again and checked for straightness on #6 on a glass table, rod is straight and appears undamaged.
Started truck and now runs and sounds smooth. Took it up and down the road and seems nice!
Only thing it is smoking a bit white still, maybe water in oil from ripping timing cover off second time when I already had coolant in it? Can't see water on dipstick, or on oil cap yet, no bubbling in radiator when truck is running, and doesn't look like I'm loosing coolant. Maybe too early to tell until I take it for a real drive and get it up to temp good.
Tho I did take special attention to installing the headgasket, so hope that's not the issue.
