Valve tip damage from bad rocker geometry
Cylinder 1's intake lifter was a different story, it was stuck in the bore when I tried to remove it. After oiling it and spinning it, I was able to get it removed. However, I found tiny chunks of what I theorize to be steel (I sadly didn't save the debris to check it....). Those tiny chunks were causing the lifter to not want to come out - however, nothing was found on the roller of the lifter, and since cleaning out the bore, the lifter slides in and out normally now.
The bore does have one spot that I can feel (the one I point out with the arrow), the other markings in the bore are smooth (and appear to be cosmetic marks)
Photo Cylinder 5s lifter with some embedded damage (presumably the steel from the valve tips)
I got the heads back from the machine shop, they said the valve guides were in great shape - everything else looked good. I had him replace my valves with these:
https://www.michiganmotorsports.com/...2+LS+Valve+Set
I will be reviewing the passenger side today to see if I get any more surprises - for now, I am thinking of at least replacing cylinder 5s damaged lifter, an running with the bore damage on cylinder 1 since it is kept to the inside of the bore, and does not go out either end.
I am also just going to ignore the lifter bore damage and just replace the lifter.
I am also just going to ignore the lifter bore damage and just replace the lifter.
But since you don’t have this thing tore down, I don’t know what to tell you, as far as getting that burr out of there. I measure every lifter hole on every build with a dial bore gauge to tell me what’s going on. Never assume it’s going to work out by itself…it never does.
But since you don’t have this thing tore down, I don’t know what to tell you, as far as getting that burr out of there. I measure every lifter hole on every build with a dial bore gauge to tell me what’s going on. Never assume it’s going to work out by itself…it never does.
But since you don’t have this thing tore down, I don’t know what to tell you, as far as getting that burr out of there. I measure every lifter hole on every build with a dial bore gauge to tell me what’s going on. Never assume it’s going to work out by itself…it never does.
Last edited by Keith; Apr 19, 2026 at 11:45 PM.
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
My current theory is to take photos of the oil gallery with a bore scope to reference to check if it gets contaminated, then take a microfiber towel stuffed at the base of the lifter bore, and use 400 grit sandpaper that has been oiled up with a dowel and make only a few sweeps over the burr. I will check clearance before and after to confirm.
I would then try to carefully clean around anything that may have been left behind over the towel and pull it out. Then I can use the bore scope again to check the oil gallery for any debris that I missed, and then clean it out if I left anything. (Again, this is no where near as good as just pulling the motor, and a massive risk that may not be worth it)
If I do it carefully like open heart surgery, I might get away with it.... maybe. Although I am not a surgeon, but I do have small hands, not having a beer before doing it, should mean I have good chances of success.








