When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So long story short, I tore my engine apart because I was hearing a tick in my engine that sounded like a bad lifter. Figured I would use the opportunity to get my LS7 heads "fixed" and upgrade to a mild cam. First thing I noticed in the teardown was some glitter in the oil. No big pieces of metal or anything just a decent amount of glitter spread throughout the oil.
I pulled all the lifters and closely inspected but didn't see any with obvious failures. All of the rollers are smooth and with no play. I pulled the cam and same story. All of the lobes and journals are free from any scratches, grooves, or pitting. Only thing that stood out at all was the scuffing on the sides of the lifter. One open question I have is whether a failing lifter may not show any visual signs but could still cause a ticking sound (I'm replacing the lifters regardless, just curious what was causing the sound).
Then I inspected the cam bearings and through my (albeit inexperienced) eyes they look pretty worn. I've read that worn bearings will cause low oil pressure though, and my oil pressure never dropped below 45psi hot idle. So my main questions:
Are those cam bearings toast or should I just send it as is
Is the glitter most likely coming from those bearings or do I need to keep investigating? I have an oil analysis that I'll be getting back tomorrow so hopefully that will help.
Here's some pics of the parts:
Oil filter showing glittery oil
Cam bearing is toast, and you are lucky this is all that happened.
Yeah unfortunate but they look pretty clearly shot. Any advice on how far a should go with the teardown? Should I pull the end caps as well to check rod bearings?
Yeah unfortunate but they look pretty clearly shot. Any advice on how far a should go with the teardown? Should I pull the end caps as well to check rod bearings?
Yeah, it’s all coming apart. Your oil analysis will tell the tale on your rods.
It's quite a journey you've been on! If the cam bearings show significant wear, it may be worth considering replacing them. As for the glittery oil, keep investigating and wait for the oil analysis report to determine the source.
Well, oil analysis didn't show anything abnormal so I'm left scratching my head. Either way I've decided that I'm already this far into it so I might as well take the block to a machine shop to get everything cleaned up, clearanced, and rebuilt. Wish there was something more obviously wrong to ease my mind a bit.
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.
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.
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.
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...
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.
LS7 Health Check 
