LS7 Lifter Tray Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 45
Likes: 15
From: Maryville Tennessee
LS7 Lifter Tray Question
I have the heads off a 2011 Z06 to have the guides addressed. The car has 9500 miles on it.
Should I replace the lifter trays while I'm in there? I don't know if only mileage affects them or if age does also. I also don't know if they "mate" to the lifters and if I should just leave them alone.
I pulled the lifters to inspect them and when I reinstalled one of the trays, it doesn't have any "float" to it (don't know if it did before or not). I was aware of the bolt shoulder when I re-installed and made sure the tray didn't get caught under the shoulder. At barely finger tight the tray can move slightly but at the torque spec (106 in/lbs) there is no movement. The shop manual doesn't mention anything about float or movement, but it makes sense to me that you might want some in there, especially since the hole in the tray is bigger than the bolt shoulder... I just don't know if its a significant thing or not.
Thanks... yes I'm obsessing over little things while I wait for the heads to come back.
Should I replace the lifter trays while I'm in there? I don't know if only mileage affects them or if age does also. I also don't know if they "mate" to the lifters and if I should just leave them alone.
I pulled the lifters to inspect them and when I reinstalled one of the trays, it doesn't have any "float" to it (don't know if it did before or not). I was aware of the bolt shoulder when I re-installed and made sure the tray didn't get caught under the shoulder. At barely finger tight the tray can move slightly but at the torque spec (106 in/lbs) there is no movement. The shop manual doesn't mention anything about float or movement, but it makes sense to me that you might want some in there, especially since the hole in the tray is bigger than the bolt shoulder... I just don't know if its a significant thing or not.
Thanks... yes I'm obsessing over little things while I wait for the heads to come back.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35,874
Likes: 1,600
From: Honolulu HI
At 9500 miles, I don't see a need to replace trays or lifters as long as you're keeping your stock cam. Obviously inspect your lifter wheels and cam lobes for any unusual wear...but otherwise, just leave them alone.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 515
From: Hill Country Texas
Lifter trays are inexpensive, I replaced mine when I fixed my heads for good measure. Link bars can fail just as well. Highly suggest some drop-in replacement Johnson 2110 SLR lifters or if you can't swing the funds for that, at least Morel 6504 lifters (just make sure you install them facing the oil passages) over any GM lifter.
Last edited by BigVette427; Dec 4, 2018 at 04:29 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 141
Likes: 54
From: KS
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
While the mileage isn't really there, I'd look at it like this; you have seven year old plastic holding very rapid pieces of metal that are each capable of destroying all or part of your very expensive engine should the plastic fail. Cheap insurance, I'd replace them while I'm there., but ultimately, you do you. You aren't wrong either way you go.
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