Common for lifters to die in LS1?
05-17-2004, 10:25 AM
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Common for lifters to die in LS1? I know of 3 cars including my own who have an aweful tick. All three of us suspect lifters. My car has 68k, another had 35ish and another is under 40k as well. 
05-17-2004, 11:07 AM
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1 of the cars has an RMS cam that made 400 rwhp through a 12 bolt so that might make sense for him. The other guy is running a 221/224 570ish cam. Mine, of course, has been a valvetrain nightmare since the 2nd month I owned it.
The rocker arm bolts held 22ft lbs so I thought mine would be fine. I suppose I'll try to re-tighten mine but I sure gooped up (red loctite) the rocker arm hole where the stud snapped and had to be extracted.
For others who don't know the story. I bought my car a few months ago with Comp Pro Mag 1.85 rockers. Shortly after I got it, I developed a tick (which could be heard through a long screwdriver). While attempting to remove the rockers and install stock rockers, one of the rocker arm studs snapped flush off at the head. Come to realize afterwards, the previous owner (or shop) must have used something similar to JB Weld on the rocker arm studs. Couple hundred dollars later ($125 for machine work, $50 for head bolts, ??? head gasket, misc things...), I put the car back together and there is a new tick.
I say a "new tick" because this one can not be heard through the long screw driver trick.
The rocker arm bolts held 22ft lbs so I thought mine would be fine. I suppose I'll try to re-tighten mine but I sure gooped up (red loctite) the rocker arm hole where the stud snapped and had to be extracted.
For others who don't know the story. I bought my car a few months ago with Comp Pro Mag 1.85 rockers. Shortly after I got it, I developed a tick (which could be heard through a long screwdriver). While attempting to remove the rockers and install stock rockers, one of the rocker arm studs snapped flush off at the head. Come to realize afterwards, the previous owner (or shop) must have used something similar to JB Weld on the rocker arm studs. Couple hundred dollars later ($125 for machine work, $50 for head bolts, ??? head gasket, misc things...), I put the car back together and there is a new tick.
I say a "new tick" because this one can not be heard through the long screw driver trick.
05-17-2004, 06:22 PM
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I have seen a few go, they have been for varying reasons.
I've seen one engine that all 16 have worn the hardness off the rollers likely due to using Mobil 1 synthetic oil...its too slippery and the roller skids over the cam instead of rolling around it. On this same engine the hardness was also worn off the cam.
Another had 3 that wore out the hardness coating from having a very aggressive cam lobe (more aggressive than XER). They were still working just a little noisy. Though you play with fire....
Another was from poor oil, this guy kept running low on oil, most contact surfaces were scuffed.
In all though the factory roller lifter is a tuff unit and can stand upto some major punishment.
I haven't seen one go from excessive spring pressue (collapsed)
I've seen one engine that all 16 have worn the hardness off the rollers likely due to using Mobil 1 synthetic oil...its too slippery and the roller skids over the cam instead of rolling around it. On this same engine the hardness was also worn off the cam.
Another had 3 that wore out the hardness coating from having a very aggressive cam lobe (more aggressive than XER). They were still working just a little noisy. Though you play with fire....
Another was from poor oil, this guy kept running low on oil, most contact surfaces were scuffed.
In all though the factory roller lifter is a tuff unit and can stand upto some major punishment.
I haven't seen one go from excessive spring pressue (collapsed)
05-17-2004, 06:25 PM
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One of my lifters went out a while back due to a 2nd gear downshift instead of the 4th gear I was supposed to go in. Opps still beat the LT1 WS6 after going into the right gear. 
Opps still beat the LT1 WS6 after going into the right gear. 
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05-17-2004, 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by v8 ute
I have seen a few go, they have been for varying reasons.
I've seen one engine that all 16 have worn the hardness off the rollers likely due to using Mobil 1 synthetic oil...its too slippery and the roller skids over the cam instead of rolling around it.
I've seen one engine that all 16 have worn the hardness off the rollers likely due to using Mobil 1 synthetic oil...its too slippery and the roller skids over the cam instead of rolling around it.
05-21-2004, 12:30 AM
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Several other guys in my car club reported ticking. I know the AIR check valves and pushrods are the first suspect (if it isn't an exhaust leak, of course). I've been through all of that with my car.
