Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Harland Sharp Roller rockers backed off?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 07:59 PM
  #1  
whiteseven's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Default Harland Sharp Roller rockers backed off?

I built this motor about 3000k miles ago, I used red loctite when I installed them and torqued them to 22Ft-lbs. It sounds like it's constantly getting looser and I need to re-torque them again, it's only been about 100 miles since the last time I torqued them.

I'm going to pull them this weekend, clean out/chase the threads to get all of the old loctite out and re-loctite them in. Is there something I'm missing here? I bought them second hand, but they've been fine for 3000 miles until now.

Specs on the motor is just a stock rebuilt short block with PRC 2.5 5.3 heads, 233/239 cam, 7.400 Pushrods, PRC double valve springs. Brand new LS7 lifters.
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 08:07 PM
  #2  
ae13291's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,093
Likes: 1
From: san fernando valley, california
Default

have you cheked the preload on the lifter? i think with those cam specs you have a smaller base circle and you should be using a 7.425 pushrod
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 08:43 PM
  #3  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

Do you know for a fact they are backing out?

Has your torque wrench been calibrated?

Did you clean the threads prior to using loctite (no oil)?

Do not use a tap in the threads, use a thread chaser. The tap will alter the thread class of fit by removing more material from the tapped hole in the head.
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 11:49 PM
  #4  
whiteseven's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by vettenuts
Do you know for a fact they are backing out?

Has your torque wrench been calibrated?

Did you clean the threads prior to using loctite (no oil)?

Do not use a tap in the threads, use a thread chaser. The tap will alter the thread class of fit by removing more material from the tapped hole in the head.
Kinda confused, what else would they do? The bolt was loose on one of the rockers on the passenger side head by several turns, this happened specifically after a WOT run, immediately returned to the garage to fix it.

Threads were clean.

I'm leaning more towards this being a pushrod length issue as the rockers are noisy in general. I was actually consdering using brake cleaner to clean out the threads. I upgraded my cam/changed heads when I re-built the motor. For whatever reason I ended up re-using the 7.400 TSP pushrods I had from my previous cam kit from TSP.

I ordered a tool this evening, I'll check 'em and order the new ones probably next week.
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 11:55 PM
  #5  
ae13291's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,093
Likes: 1
From: san fernando valley, california
Default

check the preload. you shouldent go past 2 1/4 turns i think after zero lash
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 12:20 AM
  #6  
Reckless's Avatar
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 33
From: Canton, GA
Default

In my opinion, you wasted your money and gave yourself something else to worry about. I have seen engines make 1000hp on the dyno with GM factory rockers with no problems. I have also had a car's engine completely destroyed while I was running it on the dyno due to an aftermarket rocker backing out. This caused a valve to collide hard with the piston...next thing you know, I am mopping up coolant and oil from the shop.

I classify most LS aftermarker rockers as "snake oil". They aren't going to do anything positive for you, and chances are they will upset your stomach.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 12:30 AM
  #7  
whiteseven's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Reckless
In my opinion, you wasted your money and gave yourself something else to worry about. I have seen engines make 1000hp on the dyno with GM factory rockers with no problems. I have also had a car's engine completely destroyed while I was running it on the dyno due to an aftermarket rocker backing out. This caused a valve to collide hard with the piston...next thing you know, I am mopping up coolant and oil from the shop.

I classify most LS aftermarker rockers as "snake oil". They aren't going to do anything positive for you, and chances are they will upset your stomach.
I understand your position, but I disagree with you. My factory rockers had quite a bit of miles on them, my stomach was already upset waiting for one of the rockers to puke some bearings out. I got these for a decent deal, probably less then a new set of factory rockers.

Once I get the proper length push rods and put them back down to torque with some fresh red loctite I don't think I'll be worrying about it anymore.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 12:32 AM
  #8  
PREDATOR-Z's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Default

Get yourself a p-rod guage and check your pushrod length. It is possible also the threads in your head bolt hole going bad, not allowing the bolt to "grip". Double check things carefully, inspect the bolt holes for unnusual wear.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 12:47 AM
  #9  
Reckless's Avatar
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 33
From: Canton, GA
Default

Is it a good deal if your engine eats itself? Not saying it will happen, but it has happened.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 04:29 AM
  #10  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

Try tightening a bolt by hand until you get to zero lash and then count turns to reach 22 lb-ft on the bolt. Also, do you bring piston for each rocker pair to TDC for that cylinder prior to tightening the rocker?
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 11:47 AM
  #11  
ae13291's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,093
Likes: 1
From: san fernando valley, california
Default

^^ there is a GM sequence for tightening them up, i remember i did that for mine. somebody hAd posted it up here.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 05:52 PM
  #12  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

Originally Posted by ae13291
^^ there is a GM sequence for tightening them up, i remember i did that for mine. somebody hAd posted it up here.
You can't use that for Harland Sharp rockers.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 09:06 PM
  #13  
02*C5's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 303
From: Az
Default

Harland Sharp = Fail. I have seen them cause more catastrophic failures in LS engines than any other rockers combined. I have a set of low mile (32K) stock rockers from an engine swap that I just did if you want them pm me Ill sell them to you cheap just to stop your head aches.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:37 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE