Anyone ever heard of LS1 lifter turning sideways?

**2001hawk** · 03-16-2007, 01:56 AM

A buddy of mine has a LS1 Camaro that the motor just went tits up. I stopped by and talked to him today and he showed me one of the lifters that came out. This thing was beat to shit to put it lightly. The roller surface was flat spotted and even beat up on the side of the roller. Also, the roller wouldn't really spin easily. Then came the pushrod, the pushrod went up a ways took about a 30 degree bend goes up and bends about 15 degrees back.

DOH!!!!!

He said the lifter(s) turned 90 degrees and the cam was then dragging across the roller sideways instead of letting the roller roll. I have read that the lifters have the guides and that this shouldn't be able to happen. I know my buddy races on the street and that all that takes a toll on the motor, but my question is: Has anyone heard of this before? Is it common? Is this even possible? And so on.

**Mr. Luos** · 03-16-2007, 04:10 AM

Isn't the first time I have read that.

Only thing I can offer is get a new lifter cup and new lifter.

**huggerz28** · 03-16-2007, 11:52 AM

only time ive seen that happen is when a spring breaks and it throws the lifter out of the bore.

**ls1alltheway** · 03-21-2007, 01:19 AM

maybe thats whats wrong with my baby. crazy miss on #5 and compression keeps changing. i thought it was maybe carbon build-up or a bent push rod, or burnt valve. i'm pulling the valve cover this weekend and taking a look.

**TRY ME GT** · 03-21-2007, 04:41 AM

Originally Posted by ls1alltheway

maybe thats whats wrong with my baby. crazy miss on #5 and compression keeps changing. i thought it was maybe carbon build-up or a bent push rod, or burnt valve. i'm pulling the valve cover this weekend and taking a look.

when i had this problem i had a REALLY bent pushrod and BROKE ONE IN HALF too! mine was on multiple though. thank the lord for chromemoly

**MNR-0** · 03-21-2007, 06:00 AM

Anything can happen if its not installed correctly. You would freak if you saw what happens to a spring at 6000RPM even...

**lrader99** · 03-21-2007, 07:31 AM

oh yea seen that one...high speed camera of a spring at 9000...we do a lot of stuff on CUP cars, its just crazy you think it stays straight but it really doesnt...its a wonder that it even runs

**MNR-0** · 03-22-2007, 04:46 AM

What freaks me is that nothing is stable. The valves rock like a finger in the wind, sometimes bounce 3+ times off the seat, the retainers grind into the springs and the springs themselves look like a merry-go-round.