Drilling holes in your lifter retainers

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Nov 22, 2005 | 12:51 PM

#21

FastKat

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From: Pittsburgh, PA

Haha I don't think Phil's afraid of a little engine speed!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrannySShifting

I dont think its goign to matter much at all unless sustained high rpm motors

Nov 22, 2005 | 04:01 PM

#22

bulletLS1

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From: Guatemala City.

I did my drilling also, no mishaps, but the lower part of the trays where full of gunk, thick, black soothy, (I use good quality oil) and the trays where very difficult to clean also the flashing from the plastic must be cleaned, deburred and all sharp edges cleaned with dowel and sandpaper, and be REALLY shure not a small spaec of plastic CAN fell to the oil::::

Nov 23, 2005 | 04:28 AM

#23

eallanboggs

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From: New Orleans

Do you drill both sides of the retainers? If you only drill one side do the holes you drill go toward the valley side or to the outside or does it even matter?

Nov 23, 2005 | 08:32 AM

#24

Dixit

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From: Canton GA

Drill on both sides

Nov 23, 2005 | 08:51 AM

#25

Teutonic Speedracer

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From: NJ

I understand that you only drill out one side, and the postion is important too. Are you guys drilling out the LS2 lifter trays also. I have some on the way and understand they are beefier and fit the LS1.

Nov 23, 2005 | 09:45 AM

#26

427

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From: Clayton, North Carolina

We normally just drill one side. We face the holes toward the piston side, so the oil will run out of the retainer back to the pan.

Kurt

Nov 28, 2005 | 10:10 AM

#27

bulletLS1

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From: Guatemala City.

OOOOPS! two sided hole!

Mar 13, 2008 | 04:10 PM

#28

98LSZ28

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From: Alton, Illinois

any dimensions on where to place the hole? ie: distance from top of tray and off centerline?
Thanks!

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Mar 13, 2008 | 04:19 PM

#29

bjamick

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From: Birmingham AL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98LSZ28

any dimensions on where to place the hole? ie: distance from top of tray and off centerline?
Thanks!

I would guess just make sure the holes are even and it prob wouldn't really matter as long as its somewhat centered.

Mar 14, 2008 | 12:36 AM

#30

405HP_Z06

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From: Arlington, Tx

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98LSZ28

any dimensions on where to place the hole? ie: distance from top of tray and off centerline?
Thanks!

Here is what I did. I posted a thread on this subject a short while back.
See: https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/848915-lifter-retainer-modification.html

Measurements: Note: I only drilled one side, the background makes it look like I did both sides.

Mar 14, 2008 | 03:46 AM

#31

98LSZ28

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From: Alton, Illinois

Thanks! Gonna do mine tomorrow! need all the oil flow I can get!

Mar 16, 2008 | 04:39 AM

#32

TransAmcoupe98

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From: Winchester, TN

I did the drill in my retainers, supports quicker drainage out. I put 2 in each side.

Mar 17, 2008 | 11:39 AM

#33

radkon

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From: Cleveland, Oh

I won't say don't do it but I will state that this "mod" is intended to prevent oil starvation in "sustained high RPM" engines. In esscence you are allowing oil to drain out of the lifters and return to the pan faster. If you are tracking the car every once in awhile toss an extra half quart of oil in the pan and call it a day. Me, I prefer to have my lifters well oiled.

Just my $.02, which like anything based on the dollar anymore isn't worth much

Mar 17, 2008 | 04:24 PM

#34

flynlow3

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I did. I read it as well in the how to build a high performance ls1 book and chose to do it while i was in there. Cant hurt right?

Mar 26, 2008 | 03:55 PM

#35

fastvet

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From: !!!!TEXAS!!!!

I'm about to do it today, If I **** up, then I will be leaning towards you all for spares! HAHA!

Mar 26, 2008 | 05:39 PM

#36

405HP_Z06

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From: Arlington, Tx

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastvet

I'm about to do it today, If I **** up, then I will be leaning towards you all for spares! HAHA!

As long as you use a Unibit, it will be fine. If you use a 1/2" drill bit, all bets are off.

Mar 26, 2008 | 07:02 PM

#37

jsteele90

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From: delaware

little extra oil never hurt anyone!

Mar 26, 2008 | 07:36 PM

#38

DrkPhx

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From: St. Michael, MN.

I used masking tape on the surface of the tray and used a 1/8" drill to start. Then went right to a 1/2" bit with no problems or cracking.

Jul 15, 2008 | 09:35 PM

#39

ibjamin

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From: wisconsin

I'm doing this today.

Just a heads up> Those dimensions shown on the photo ARE NOT CORRECT!!! Don't use the 1 5/16" dimension shown. The actual measurement should be about 11/16" for what is shown. The 1/2" dimension is correct.

George