I am replacing my lifters because it sounds like one of them collapsed. Since I am pulling the heads I wanted to do some maintenance on anything that I had easier access to. Any recommendations?

Things I already have:
145 amp truck alternator
Oil Pressure Sending switch (mine was flickering left and right and all over the place)

 

Get new lifter trays too. Also check the pushrods for straightness. And while you're at it (heard that one before?? lol) a new LS2 timing chain and oil pump (Melling high pressure, NOT high volume). These should freshen things up a bit for future use...

 

 

Be careful what lifters you use, seen plenty that were bad right out of the box.

 

I was planning on the lifter trays, they are so cheap it would be dumb not to. Ill check the pushrodsas well, I didn't really think of that. I had the LS2 timing chain installed and a ported LS6 but I was considering changing the pump. I only have 30k on my cam car. Thoughts?


I was considering this. I guess I will. I just didn't really feel like pulling off that top cover.

I have not decided between the Cadillac race lifters or just the delphi ls7s. There are a lot to choose from...

 

 

Ok, I just pulled the intake last night so I remember seeing those black rubber plugs. Thank you

 

With only 30K (hard miles??) I guess the oil pump could be deemed optional. Up to you!

 

I would also consider replacing the intake manifold gaskets. The ones on my 99 TA were in poor condition after 18 years. Yours Maybe better condition given the low miles and being in Arizona. The ones on my car were a disaster waiting to happen give the car was outside in the rain on occasion.

It would have taken a while longer but one of those compressed less pliable gaskets was going to start leaking and allow the water sitting on the manifold into the 99TA's engine at some point.

 

 

If you decide to do the rocker trunnions, get CHE or Straub bronze bushing kits, though there are now others. They are the most well known.

 

One gasket tore on my FAST 78mm and I need to replace them anyways. Will be doing this!

What is this trunnion upgrade? I've seen it around on BTRs website and just reading through random threads. What exactly does this do?

 

It's a replacement of the bearings in the rocker arms with better ones. There have been incidents where the OEM ones fall apart and put needle bearings thru your engine. There are those who think this unnecessary, as there are millions of LS engines doing fine with the OEM units, but under high performance conditions they get stressed a bit harder.

 

I've been into three truck engines now, 1 6.0, 2 5.3 and have found wear on the pushrod tips at the rocker arm pocket, two or three on each engine. Should be a nice shiny mirror chrome look, these were hazy silver and had really fine scratches. Rods were not plugged, lifter end seemed ok.