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

Problem Diagnosis?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 07:05 PM
  #1  
TheBlurLS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
That's what she said...
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,954
Likes: 2
From: Nederland Texas
Default Problem Diagnosis?

So a while back, I broke my #7 intake rocker arm (6000 miles on the 408" motor). The rocker showed signs of interference, so I got a whole new set from Jesel.

Here's the thread.....

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...m-failure.html

I got the new rockers, installed them, and there was a noticeable tick going on. I disconnected the coils, pulled the driver side valve cover, and turned the motor over. The #7 intake rocker sounded like it was making the noise and it felt very "jittery" while it was opening. I removed the #7 rockers and the noise went away.

I pulled the cylinder head expecting a bent valve or something, but the valves moved smoothly after I disassembled the #7 valvesprings. The roller on the #7 intake lifter looks fine and the cam also looks fine. The pushrods are also straight. The only other possible problem I can think of is something internally wrong with the lifter.

If the lifter was collapsed, would it be exhibiting these symptoms? If there is a problem with it, I think it is also what caused the rocker to break. I'm looking for what direction to take now. I can buy a new set of lifters and replace them on the driver side just to see, but if there's something I'm overlooking, I'd like to know before I put the head back on.

Also, after I ran the motor for 10-15 seconds and pulled the valve covers, oil had not yet begun to come out of the push rods. As we were cranking it over with the coils disconnected, oil began to seep out of the 1-3-5 pushrods, but not the #7 yet. Is it possible that there just wasn't enough oil in the #7 lifter to pump it up yet? It was sounding bad enough for me to do a tear down. The motor sat for 2 months or so before I tried running it with the new rockers.
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 07:09 PM
  #2  
MUSTANGBRKR02's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (91)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 5
From: Maine
Default

Sounds like you have covered all the bases.
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 07:27 PM
  #3  
TheBlurLS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
That's what she said...
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,954
Likes: 2
From: Nederland Texas
Default

Originally Posted by MUSTANGBRKR02
Sounds like you have covered all the bases.
Well my main question is if I do have a problem with that lifter (internally), is there any way to check now that I have it out of the motor? Most of the time, people have to diagnose lifter while they're in the car. I thought it was valves, so everything is already pulled.
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 07:34 PM
  #4  
MUSTANGBRKR02's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (91)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 5
From: Maine
Default

That i do not know.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 07:38 AM
  #5  
TheBlurLS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
That's what she said...
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,954
Likes: 2
From: Nederland Texas
Default

Bump!!!
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 10:20 AM
  #6  
Patrick G's Avatar
LS1 Tech Administrator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 34
From: Victoria, TX
Default

Casey, sounds like a #7 lifter problem. If it turns, it can do all kinds of damage to your cam and rockers. If the heads are still off, pull the lifter trays and inspect #7 lifters and look at the cam lobes for unusual wear.
__________________

2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
2016 Corvette Z51 M7 Magnuson Heartbeat 2300 supercharger, TSP LT headers, Pat G tuned, 667rwhp, 662rwtq, 191mph TX Mile.
2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L, A6, AFR 230v2 heads. 506rwhp/442rwtq. 11.413 @ 121.29mph 1/4 mile, 168.7mph TX Mile
2000 Pewter Ram Air Trans Am M6 heads/cam 508 rwhp/445 rwtq SAE, 183.092 TX Mile
2022 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L A10 S&B CAI, Corsa catback.
2023 Corvette 3LT Z51 soon to be modified.
Custom LSX tuning in person or via email press here.

Reply
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 11:12 AM
  #7  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

There are some known issues with Jesel and higher lift cams, but based on your description and the fact that only one rocker/cylinder appears to be the issue then I would look into why no oil. Have you looked at the oil supply on the passenger side?
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 11:22 AM
  #8  
jimmyblue's Avatar
Moderator
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 12,604
Likes: 7
From: East Central Florida
Default

Lifter could be getting starved by crud in the block bore
/ orifice that feeds it? Maybe pull the lifter and try to
pressurize the oil system somehow, see if anything can
be flushed out?

On my old SBCs that was easy, just pull the dist and
get the drill out with a junk distributor shaft. Dunno if
there is any such handy access on LS1s. But maybe
adapting up to that oil cooler port, or something?
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




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:11 AM.

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