Jocko1960

Changed my oil today and there were 4 1/4 inch long roller bearings on the drain plug.
I don't have any abnormal noises oil pressure hasn't dropped not running hot. The only code it's thrown has been the O2 heater code. 99 Z28 stock engine with 50,000 miles. Anyone care to take a guess as to where the heck they came from, so I might know what to expect? Oh there wasn't any metal flakes on the plug just those four bearings.
Thanks ahead for any ideas,
Doug

Tin Indian

Welcome to LS1Tech.Com

And, welcome to the <font color="red">"One of My Rocker Arms Just Fell Apart Club"<!--color--></font>

These are the needle bearings that are located in the sides of the rocker arms (pivot point)

I believe there are about 33 of them per side of each rocker arm. You will be finding them for a long time in the future. They won't go through the oil pickup screen, so don't worry.

If you have a warranty, let the dealership change the rocker arm. If not... It's an easy change. Gota pull off the valve cover of course.

Ron,

Tin Indian

BTW, don't drive anymore than you have to until you get a new rocker arm....

Really, not a good idea to drive it any farther than the dealership.

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

That Tin Indian guy sure is a smart feller!

Definitely the rocker arm bearings. Probably happens to 1 out of 20 LS1s in its lifetime. Its an easy fix/replacement, and will not cause any permanent damage unless you continue to drive with a loose rocker and it comes all the way loose.

Keep those rpm low until you get it fixed.

Tony

felton316

I found a whole bunch of them when I pulled my tranny. But I couldn't find half of my pilot bearing....... Weird.

Jocko1960

Thanks for the replies.
I found a service bulletin on this also.
My car is out of warranty so will I have to foot the bill or not?
Thanks again,
Doug

1dirtyZ

iTrader: (1)

if you ask me, it's not worth taking to the dealer if your warranty is out.
just take the valve covers off, see which one is messesed up, and replace as needed.
get a pen magnet to pick up the bearings that might be lying around the head.

shouldn't take you more than 3 hours at a lesiurely pace.
good luck.

Ozz

Welcome to the club it is an easy fix, decide which side you think it is on and pull the other side off I missed every time (3 broken ones) once you find it turn the engine over till the spring load is off that rocker (valve closed) loosen the bolt and replace the rocker. torque to 22lbs and turn crank though till the valve opens then closes again then check for 22lbs and button her back up. Hardest part is the damn fuel line connector and if you have the tool its a piece of cake.
If you have heavy springs and spin the engine high I recommend the Yella Terra rockers.


Ozz

StevieZ

iTrader: (3)

The tool is like about $7 and will save you a LOT of aggravation

BLK02WS6

iTrader: (2)

I wish those were the bearings I found in my oil pan today - mine came from a connecting rod