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So this is a kind of pee your pants I need a warm feeling post here. I was installing pushrods (new), and while oiling them up I am cleaning and lubing the rocker ***** and I see some not so shiny areas. It looked like oil staining and I was using new oil to wipe them clean not really paying attention. Then I see this one (pic attached). 87 coupe 83k and this rocker ball is toast right ??? Thanks for any opinions.
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Toast, bigger question Why. Give a little blow though each push rod and if possible the one that is associated with the ball. When you get the car put together I would run it with the covers off and make sure all rods are getting oil through top.
If it's blued ,(especially blued), or any discoloration at all, and/or rough textured, then it may time to step-up to full roller. I'd bet it isn't the only one unless you got so lucky to catch the very first to fail !
New just cleaned pushrods going back in. I tried a valve cover off lashing once and noticed some rockers oil was squirting rather than flowing onto the rockers, but all were flowing. I understand that a lifter problem can cause oiling issues??
New lifters going in, morel LS7's.
Looks like Christmas dinner is switching from a pizmo to a chicken!!
New just cleaned pushrods going back in. I tried a valve cover off lashing once and noticed some rockers oil was squirting rather than flowing onto the rockers. I usnderstand that is a lifter problem ??
New lifters going in, morel LS7's.
This is why there are valve cover drippers. you're getting oil so that's not the problem.
Too high spring pressure, lack of extreme pressure additives in the oil (or enough), perhaps too long of sustained high rpm, or a quality control issue.
Could be, a dose of moly or GM EOS may have prevented this , or perhaps just using Mobil 10W-40 or a Torco or Redline oil ? We'll never know !
Are you using a flat tappet cam, and what's the open spring pressure ?
I'd bet that with a healthier oil and less pressure they wouldn't look near this bad, so yes the 83,000 is another factor IMHO !
Are you planning to upgrade to full roller, or just a new set of similar ?
New similar, but new ***** do not look smooth. They look rough and ugly just like mine. I would hate to admit I am tempted to just install them. But for the price I will at least replace the *****.
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I am finding a few in my area but have the old big block oiling grooves in them, not sure about that.
You want the oiling grooves, and black moly paste on them installed. I use Hy-per Lube Zinc Replacement additive in all vehicles now, it is a synthetic polymer ester and will not alter the host oil chemistry and is a better "Extreme Pressure" additive than moly/zinc.
The tribologist that did testing on this claimed you can step down an oil grade and use a lesser amount of additive than specified and still have superior protection. His testing was not sponsored by Hy-per Lube either.
GLORY BE, mark your calendar @WVZR-1 I ordered them local from autozone.............. Melling MRM-1731 ..... GM 3744340
It looks like there is a change or an option or an upgrade as the MRM 1731 have the slots cut in them for oiling. I put my car specs in their system and it came up with that number.
Interestingly, the original did not have oiling grooves, they were solid. But none of the chain stores will list the MRM 1721 (solid ball) as fitting the car even though the specs are the same by my caliper.
.811"D with a .374" stud
20.62mmD with a 9.50mm stud
Worn rocker ball, no doubt right ??
