Roller lifter issue

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by Mark Demko, Mar 19, 2019.

  1. 1973gs

    1973gs Well-Known Member

    Maybe some customers get a full set of bad lifters and all of them make noise. If that's the case, people may think that it was normal. I had 1 or 2 at the beginning of the season and 5 or 6 bad ones 1100 miles later, and all on the right bank. I find it hard to believe that people think that only several making noise would be normal.
     
    Mark Demko likes this.
  2. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    What exactly makes it a bad one? What fails?
    Mine (bought in early 2012) have been quiet as a mouse. Aside from one pin trying to walk it's way out. Approximately 5k miles on them.
     
  3. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Yep, that's my concern, ok for now, then awhile later they explode or something:rolleyes:
    On my first fire up after the roller install, they were quiet, but #3 rod bearing spun, so that was that for that build.
    New build, noisey as crap, pressure is good, then all of a sudden, they get quiet
    Second ride of new build, noisey at start, drive toward the highway, all of a sudden, they get quiet:rolleyes::rolleyes:
    Anywho, I cut the filter open that was on there since the new build start up, nothing but oil:D
    Im calling my bottom end good. IMG_3722.JPG
     
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  4. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    A pin trying to walk out:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
    Ok, that put the final nail in the coffin for the Morels for me, Im going Johnson!
     
  5. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Hmmmmm, don't know Jim, Im not familiar with the Johnsons, but when I get 'em I'll post a comparison pic:cool:
     
  6. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    SOLIDS BABY!:D
     
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  7. 1973gs

    1973gs Well-Known Member

    I believe that either the tolerances are bad or there's dirt inside, or a combination of both. I assume that you noticed the pin walking out as you were installing them. If you're referring to the pin that holds the tie bar to the lifter body, you lucked out. When that tie bar becomes unattached, the lifter will spin in the bore and bye bye cam and whatever else gets damaged. That sounds like a quality control issue. I would be very concerned about running that set in my engine.
     
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  8. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    How often you REALISTICLY have to adjust lash, I'd go solids just because:D
     
  9. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Roller wheel pin. They need to be double checked for secure fit. I've got some ideas to correct that.
    Mark, GM used solids in the 60''s & 70''s and provided warranty to boot. If they start making some racket, reset lash.
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2019
    Mark Demko likes this.
  10. 1973gs

    1973gs Well-Known Member

    I've seen factory GM roller pins come out (at least I think that's what happened, I only saw the end result) I forgot about that. You're probably alright then.:oops:
     
    Mark Demko likes this.
  11. 1973gs

    1973gs Well-Known Member

    You may be able to go years on a non daily driver.
     
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  12. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    I ran a 308s cam for about years on the track, checked lash s few times a year but never had to adjust. not sure if you have roller rockers, but you will either need them or adjustable pushrods. I suppose the is a very very very slim chance that you might be able to order a non adjustable pushrod the exact correct length to give the lash required and be able to use non adjustable.......
     
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  13. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Yes I have roller rockers.
    I was doing some reading about Johnson roller lifters, Im sold on they're quality control and adherence to close tolerances, from what I was reading, you have to work for them for YEARS before they will let you assemble lifters unsupervised:eek:
    Johnson doesn't seem to be a big fan of solids tho, apparently the lash required causes the roller bearings on the wheel to be impact loaded every time the valvetrain has to take up the lash VS hydraulics pre-load, they go on to say on a dedicated race car its not a big deal, but a hot street cruiser, stop and go, highway driving, its more brutal to the needle bearings.
     
  14. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    I guess I can follow and see that point of view
     
  15. gsjohnny1

    gsjohnny1 Well-Known Member

    mark,
    I could sell you a nicely built 350 with a s/charger on it. has a tach that goes to 10k(lol), doesn't use an oil filter(cut down on costs) or gage and has solid lifters. only problem is comes with a 'bundle of pipes' that resemble a front engine dragster. but...it all could be yours for the right price with no oil pressure problems.
    john
     
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  16. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    LOL, Thanks but that sounds too easy:p
     
  17. gsjohnny1

    gsjohnny1 Well-Known Member

    just trying to help out some friends. lol
     
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  18. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    LOL, thanks Johnny:D
     
  19. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    I called Johnson yesterday and had a conversation with a tech there about roller lifters for a Buick 350, he said "its a GM small block".……..:rolleyes: here we go Im thinking:rolleyes::rolleyes:
    I know Chevy and Buick have .842 dia. lifters, but what about bore spacing? Pushrod cup depth Im not overly concerned with. Needing the full shroud over the wheel, yes, that's important.
    He also told me that GM scrapped their Delphi rollers in the COPO Camaro for Johnsons, guess the Delphis weren't keeping pumped up and hurting performance
    He said he heard of Morels issues, and he'd rather have a competent competitor, instead of a pushover LOL.
    He gave me a name and number for a distributor of Johnsons in Michigan, Marine Kinetics. He also gave me a part # 2112 SBR (small block reduced travel)
    On Johnsons website, Crower and Isky are mentioned also, do Crower and Isky sell Johnsons??
    I checked Summit Racing, Crower and Isky rollers are 1000.00 to 1300.00:eek:
    Im going to Michaels Racing tomorrow morn to see and hold, and compare Chevy retro rollers to Buicks.
    Im a visual person, flat tappets are simple, but theres a bit more to rollers Im learning:cool:
     
  20. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    nice when you go to Johnson's website you see link for AMC and Cadillac, but nothing buick
     
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