LS3 Broken Rocker Stub
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,893
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
When my lifter imploded there was an aprox 3/8 x 3/8 piece of the lifter skirt left behind.
I used a dig camera and found the piece of metal skirt on the windage tray.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...FXRo7Aod8i0AOg
Went right in through the opening under the valley cover and snaked around.
I used a dig camera and found the piece of metal skirt on the windage tray.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...FXRo7Aod8i0AOg
Went right in through the opening under the valley cover and snaked around.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
Had my hands all over every square inch of that engine compartment. Even cleaned the garage and look a light to the dark corners, looked everywhere, nothing.
I still don't understand how a rocker bolt could work its way past a pushrod to fall in the engine. It's way too big. The piece that broke off was probably 1" long and that bolt head is pretty big. ***....
I still don't understand how a rocker bolt could work its way past a pushrod to fall in the engine. It's way too big. The piece that broke off was probably 1" long and that bolt head is pretty big. ***....
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,706
Likes: 5
From: KY
Look in each of the 5 head bolt holes underneath the rocker arm stand. You may have to pull all the rockers and remove the stand. The top part of the head is hollowed out around those 5 holes. You may need to fish around in them with a magnet or an inspection mirror.
Then get the correct rocker arm bolts (ahem
)
Then get the correct rocker arm bolts (ahem
)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
Look in each of the 5 head bolt holes underneath the rocker arm stand. You may have to pull all the rockers and remove the stand. The top part of the head is hollowed out around those 5 holes. You may need to fish around in them with a magnet or an inspection mirror. Then get the correct rocker arm bolts (ahem )
)
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 28
From: O'Fallon IL
Have you checked the actual valve cover? They have a baffle in which that bolt could be wedged in between. IIRC the heads have some oil return pasages that are somewhat big towards the sides. If it fell off when you removed the valve cover it is possible that is lodged somewhere in the frame. There are a lot of flat places or areas that could go in.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
Have you checked the actual valve cover? They have a baffle in which that bolt could be wedged in between. IIRC the heads have some oil return pasages that are somewhat big towards the sides. If it fell off when you removed the valve cover it is possible that is lodged somewhere in the frame. There are a lot of flat places or areas that could go in.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 28
From: O'Fallon IL
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
Turns out the broken bolt was in the lifter tray. They pulled the manifold and it way laying there. Had to pull the head as my easy-out had snapped off in the stud. I also had him redo the cam cover as it was leaking oil bad, so the front of the engine had to come apart again.
She runs fine now.
She runs fine now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 552
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14