Lifter Problem 1999 C-5
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: North Central Indiana
Lifter Problem 1999 C-5
I started to get a lifter noise from the number 2 cylinder after a pre detonation from the engine running hot.
The over heating problem has been taken care of with no more pre detonation.
I removed the valve cover and found that the exhaust push rod was bent and the lifter for that valve had collapsed. (The lifter does pump up after the engine is warm)
My question is, should I remove the head and just replace that particular lifter, or
replace all of the lifters.
The over heating problem has been taken care of with no more pre detonation.
I removed the valve cover and found that the exhaust push rod was bent and the lifter for that valve had collapsed. (The lifter does pump up after the engine is warm)
My question is, should I remove the head and just replace that particular lifter, or
replace all of the lifters.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 734
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From: Austin TX
I'd strongly reccomend replacing them all since you're there and they are not very expensive. If it were my car I'd even do the other side just for piece of mind that the lifters were all good.
I recently had lifter issues with the stock lifters nibbling on my cam. If I'd have had forewarning about the issue you bet I would pulled both heads and swapped all the lifters instantly and saved a cam/cam swap
.
I recently had lifter issues with the stock lifters nibbling on my cam. If I'd have had forewarning about the issue you bet I would pulled both heads and swapped all the lifters instantly and saved a cam/cam swap
.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Yes, I agree. Replace them all at the same time. Consider one other possibility too...if you are planning on replacing the camshaft at any time in the future, you will have to replace the lifters again. You can install new lifters on your exisiting cam without a problem, but you should not use them again, later on, on a new cam. Hint, remember to insure there is no coolant or oil in the bottoms of the headbolt holes when you put the heads back on. Take great care to insure the head and block surfaces are very clean of gasket debris and most importantly, follow the manual's instructions on head bolt tightening sequence and torque process. Hint#2, head bolts are not reusable...new ones only.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Austin TX
Never heard of this before. Can you provide a source?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,558
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From: Cape Coral FL
I believe that is a throw-over from flat tappet cams and really doesn't apply to rollers. Comp recommends changing the lifters when the cam is replaced, but I'm sure that has more to do with selling more product than fact. The idea is that the lifter will 'wear into' a pattern with the cam and putting a new surface will adversely affect that wear pattern. Many, many have used the oe lifters with a cam change with no adverse effects. I put new lifters in when I changed my cam a few yrs back. My buddy BLACKTOP2000 didn't. He is still running strong with no ill effects, as I was too.
---
dgrant3830 is correct in the hits provided, and I would like to suggest a visit to this site for info on how to remove the heads for a lifter swap to augment those hints. LS1HowTo. This article describes the steps to swap a cam and heads, but the steps required to remove and replace the heads are there to follow with the torque sequence and values. There are also many tips on how to prep the block and clean the bolt holes, etc.
---
dgrant3830 is correct in the hits provided, and I would like to suggest a visit to this site for info on how to remove the heads for a lifter swap to augment those hints. LS1HowTo. This article describes the steps to swap a cam and heads, but the steps required to remove and replace the heads are there to follow with the torque sequence and values. There are also many tips on how to prep the block and clean the bolt holes, etc.
Last edited by ArKay99; Sep 20, 2007 at 07:58 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Some cam manufacturers. Pick one. You should never re-use lifters on a new cam
BTW, I'm not suggesting a guaranteed failure if you do, it's just now wise to do so.
BTW, I just checked with Crane and they DO indicate it is not a problem with re-use of roller lifters on a new cam. I stand corrected there.
BTW, I'm not suggesting a guaranteed failure if you do, it's just now wise to do so.
BTW, I just checked with Crane and they DO indicate it is not a problem with re-use of roller lifters on a new cam. I stand corrected there.
Last edited by LoneStarFRC; Sep 20, 2007 at 08:01 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
With roller lifters, you do NOT need to swap lifters for a cam swap..unless of course there is damage involved.
Thousands of LS1 folks have done cam swaps w/o ever changing the lifters, myself included. (I have fresh lifters now, but changed them only when I swapped the heads, which happened several thousand miles after the cam swap).
I would suggest changing them all now though, and also replace the 4 lifter trays too....then if/when you do swap the cam in the future, those tight new trays will help insure you don't drop a lifter while the cam is out.
Thousands of LS1 folks have done cam swaps w/o ever changing the lifters, myself included. (I have fresh lifters now, but changed them only when I swapped the heads, which happened several thousand miles after the cam swap).
I would suggest changing them all now though, and also replace the 4 lifter trays too....then if/when you do swap the cam in the future, those tight new trays will help insure you don't drop a lifter while the cam is out.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I believe I read it in the GM Maintenance/Repair manual for my '99. I know I saw it somewhere and it was listed as important. My manuals are lost in the garage somewhere after my last move. I did get manuals too for my '07 Z51, so will do some reading in those...if its in there, it will most likely be the same info.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: S.E. WI.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
You may be right, but I was just repeating what is stated in the manuals. I'm guessing that the original lifters will "wear in" to the existing cam, then when the cam is changed, you could possibly damage it with the old lifters and whatever "wear in" that they had. If it was me, I would replace them along with the cam just to Cover My A*...posterior end of my anatomy, then there are no doubts to linger on my mind.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
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From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I didn't replace my lifters when I changed cams but then about 1000 miles later I had one fail. I don't think it's so much the cam but 50k on the clock and putting dual springs above them. Anyway I replaced all the lifters and so far so good
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I would think it would depend on how the lifter failed. I believe the only concern when re-using lifters on a new cam would be the roller bear surface and not the way the lifter functions internally. On my '99, I litterally wore them out. Two of mine started tapping and slowly got worse and worse. I wanted to replace the cam as well, but didn't have the tie-rod pullers to remove the steering, nor did I have a puller for the harmonic balancer.
