Rocker Bearing Failure
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Rocker Bearing Failure I have a 99 Camaro SS that just had a rocker needle bearing failure. I found 24 needle bearings under my valve cover and will drain my oil and see if I can get the rest. I have read some other forums on people saying that if you don't get every single needle bearing out of the motor you will have engine failure. I have heard some people saying that the needle bearings are too big to be sucked up through the oil pump and will therefore just sit in the bottom of the oil pan and cause no harm. I will be replacing all the rockers to avoid this again, but do I have anything to worry about If I can't find every needle? Will I need to drop the oil pan?
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 332
From: Wilmington, De
They won't get sucked up by the pickup tube as the screen will prevent that. I'd pull the valley cover under the intake to make sure none are resting in there, but you'll most likely find them all near the failed rocker. You can always pop a magnetic drain plug in the oil pan and see if it picks up anything.
They won't get sucked up by the pickup tube as the screen will prevent that. I'd pull the valley cover under the intake to make sure none are resting in there, but you'll most likely find them all near the failed rocker. You can always pop a magnetic drain plug in the oil pan and see if it picks up anything.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 332
From: Wilmington, De
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Hey guys just wanted to give a little update. I went with the Trunnion upgrade kit from Comp Cams and got them all installed. I changed oil and found a few more needle bearings then decided to fire it up. I can still hear a tick but I don't know what it could be. Was hoping to get some opinions on it. Video may not do justice but thought it was worth a shot. I'm thinking maybe lifters?
Last edited by bencormier; Jul 9, 2023 at 02:16 PM.
Trending Topics
I’ve noticed that all trunnion “upgrades” amplify any valvetrain noises that may be present. I’ve also read the same here on Tech that others noticed a noisier valvetrain after a trunnion “upgrade”. I’m sure what you may..or may not…be hearing is normal for the mod.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
How many miles are on this engine and what have you inspected and/or replaced for parts? Just putting new rocker arms on a high mileage engine may not cure a noisy valvetrain. You could have excessive wear on the camshaft, lifters, pushrods, valves, guides, springs and valve seats.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I have 86,000 miles on motor. Upon reviewing the parts list the guy I bought it from, supposedly he did put new lifters in. He also put in pushrods, springs, texas speed cam and headers. I don't know the exact specs of these although I wish I did. I did inspect push rods while I was in there and all looked good.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 13
From: Florida
Did you check valve lash?
Also since you don’t have the cam specs, it may be worth checking the pushrod length. All you need is a Comp length checker, and a offset wrench to turn the engine over from the passenger side.
This wrench will fit both a stock hub bolt and an ARP bolt.
TEKTON 24 x 27 mm 45-Degree Offset Box End Wrench | WBE24324 https://a.co/d/5qDqhZS
Also since you don’t have the cam specs, it may be worth checking the pushrod length. All you need is a Comp length checker, and a offset wrench to turn the engine over from the passenger side.
This wrench will fit both a stock hub bolt and an ARP bolt.
TEKTON 24 x 27 mm 45-Degree Offset Box End Wrench | WBE24324 https://a.co/d/5qDqhZS
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I was just looking at other forums and seeing what people have to say about ticking noise in the LS1. A couple people have said they have never heard of an ls1 without a tick. Am I just worried over something that is normal?
More than likely yes. As I said above, the trunnion upgrades amplify an already noisy LS valvetrain, because it makes the rocker fulcrum more rigid. The LS platform has an inherently noisy valvetrain. I bought a brand new 2020 GMC savannah for my business a couple years ago, and it’s ticked since day one. Had 4 miles on it and was ticking. Still has same tick today. It’s not obnoxious but as an engine guy, I notice it.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 13
From: Florida
No. This is why you need to make sure the pushrod is the correct size at zero lash. It’s a simple exercise, you only need one valve cover off, and there’s a million videos about this on YouTube.
Yes, stock lifters allow some ticking. Yours sounds louder than mine, for example. Not enough to panic, but because of the type and extent of the mods by the PO, it would be prudent to eliminate a certain common shortcoming by lazy people. An hour or two on your part is worth the knowledge and peace of mind, don’t you think?
Yes, stock lifters allow some ticking. Yours sounds louder than mine, for example. Not enough to panic, but because of the type and extent of the mods by the PO, it would be prudent to eliminate a certain common shortcoming by lazy people. An hour or two on your part is worth the knowledge and peace of mind, don’t you think?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
No. This is why you need to make sure the pushrod is the correct size at zero lash. It’s a simple exercise, you only need one valve cover off, and there’s a million videos about this on YouTube.
Yes, stock lifters allow some ticking. Yours sounds louder than mine, for example. Not enough to panic, but because of the type and extent of the mods by the PO, it would be prudent to eliminate a certain common shortcoming by lazy people. An hour or two on your part is worth the knowledge and peace of mind, don’t you think?
Yes, stock lifters allow some ticking. Yours sounds louder than mine, for example. Not enough to panic, but because of the type and extent of the mods by the PO, it would be prudent to eliminate a certain common shortcoming by lazy people. An hour or two on your part is worth the knowledge and peace of mind, don’t you think?