Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 03:11 PM
  #1  
Austin90RS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Palm harbor,FL
Car: 1990 camaro rs
Engine: LQ4 350 4 Bolt
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 4:10 posi
1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

So part of my 305 rebuild were ProForm 66927C 1.6 roller rockers arms and slightly bigger pushrods (+.100'' - 7.900) for the cam I got, and now I've gone thru 3 shattered rocker arms, (2 on #8 cyl. and 1 on#3) 2 of which broke when setting valve lash the day after i first started the motor with the new parts(about an solid hour of run time)...and today after waiting a week for a alternator to ship(hasn't been started in a week) I had the motor idling for about 10 minutes and hear a loud DING on the right valve cover and sure enough another broken rocker...could it be just cheap rockers? or maybe the factory springs are to stiff and the rockers can handle the stress?
1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!-imag1198.jpg

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!! 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!-imag1194.jpg

Last edited by Austin90RS; Oct 31, 2013 at 03:40 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 04:22 PM
  #2  
Edwardgp's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 31
From: Washington State
Car: 1983 BB 1995 Z28 Camaro's
Engine: 454-350
Transmission: TH350-4l60e
Axle/Gears: 373 posi-Stock
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Your previous post has been answered with a possible cause of your problem.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 04:33 PM
  #3  
rusty vango's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 5
From: knoxville tn
Car: 86 IROC
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700-R-4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 open
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

dude,stock springs aint gonna break ANY rocker arms. including the stockers. what you have is probably made in china. comp cams have rockers with about the same design. but with vastly superior composition. and they are cheap too.id ship the rockers you have on it now, back to wherever they came from ,bits and all. and go buy some good stuff. however. have you checked the valve train geometry?do you have any binding? 305 heads in their stock form need work, if you want more than ,say .425 lift.if you went bigger than this, remove the rocker arms and look at the rocker stud bosses for signature marks(contact patterns). post up the cam specs .lets see what you built
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 04:46 PM
  #4  
Austin90RS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Palm harbor,FL
Car: 1990 camaro rs
Engine: LQ4 350 4 Bolt
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 4:10 posi
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by rusty vango
dude,stock springs aint gonna break ANY rocker arms. including the stockers. what you have is probably made in china. comp cams have rockers with about the same design. but with vastly superior composition. and they are cheap too.id ship the rockers you have on it now, back to wherever they came from ,bits and all. and go buy some good stuff. however. have you checked the valve train geometry?do you have any binding? 305 heads in their stock form need work, if you want more than ,say .425 lift.if you went bigger than this, remove the rocker arms and look at the rocker stud bosses for signature marks(contact patterns). post up the cam specs .lets see what you built
Appreciate the reply, it's a jegs 200105 flat Tappet roughly .460 .480 lift, I checked the rockers and pushrods for any kind of premature wear but nothing, lifters are sound there valley too, actually I just took the rockers entirely out and one on the other side broke too!small chip off the seat where the ball sits
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 04:49 PM
  #5  
Austin90RS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Palm harbor,FL
Car: 1990 camaro rs
Engine: LQ4 350 4 Bolt
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 4:10 posi
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...00105/10002/-1 theres the cam specs
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 04:54 PM
  #6  
vetteoz's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 14
From: Not in Kansas anymore
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 383 SP EFI/ 4150 TB
Transmission: T400
Axle/Gears: QP 9" 3.73
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by Austin90RS
........ slightly bigger pushrods (+.100'' - 7.900)
How did you determine the required length ?
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 05:03 PM
  #7  
Austin90RS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Palm harbor,FL
Car: 1990 camaro rs
Engine: LQ4 350 4 Bolt
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 4:10 posi
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by vetteoz
How did you determine the required length ?
i didnt get to in depth with it,just figured I could get more out of the cam's lift with longer rods after seeing what some people have done with there head work
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 05:06 PM
  #8  
DeltaElite121's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 1
From: St.Louis, IL
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 377
Transmission: TH350; Circle D 4200 converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Proform rockers are cheap for a reason.... And they've been known to break in anything remotely above stock applications.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 05:30 PM
  #9  
cuisinartvette's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 27
From: Sanctuary state
Car: 67 ******mobile
Engine: 385 Solid roller
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 4.11
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Stock springs arent going to handle that cam first off

Need to see if your retainers are hitting the guide boss bet they are probably whats breaking things. Somethings binding up and snapping those.

Get a pushrod length checker tool +spring and do it right.

measure twice, cut once.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 05:42 PM
  #10  
DeltaElite121's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 1
From: St.Louis, IL
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 377
Transmission: TH350; Circle D 4200 converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Stock springs arent going to handle that cam first off

Need to see if your retainers are hitting the guide boss bet they are probably whats breaking things. Somethings binding up and snapping those.

Get a pushrod length checker tool +spring and do it right.

measure twice, cut once.
I've personally seen them come apart on a mild LT1 (I'd read the warnings, but hadn't seen anything... and then that happened). I think he's still doing something wrong, but those rockers are junk in general.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 06:25 PM
  #11  
vetteoz's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 14
From: Not in Kansas anymore
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 383 SP EFI/ 4150 TB
Transmission: T400
Axle/Gears: QP 9" 3.73
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by Austin90RS
just figured I could get more out of the cam's lift with longer rods


I take it you failed physics and geometry?
If the cam has 1/2" of lift that is all that it has ;you could use a push rod 3 ft long and still not get any more lift ......

At a guess I suggest you check the actual pushrod length required ;
possibly the reason your rockers are breaking
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 06:47 PM
  #12  
Austin90RS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Palm harbor,FL
Car: 1990 camaro rs
Engine: LQ4 350 4 Bolt
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 4:10 posi
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by vetteoz


I take it you failed physics and geometry?
If the cam has 1/2" of lift that is all that it has ;you could use a push rod 3 ft long and still not get any more lift ......

At a guess I suggest you check the actual pushrod length required ;
possibly the reason your rockers are breaking
appreciate the lesson there prof, im 17 so don't be so quick to judge
and yes I believe VALVE Lift would be affected by simulating a bigger lobe on the cam(cam lift) pushing the rod down more then say stock spec which is obviously smaller
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 06:57 PM
  #13  
Justin89Formy's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 8
From: Moneta, VA
Car: 89 formula 350
Engine: ls1 magnuson tvs2300 supercharger
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 4.11 Dana 44!
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

wrong.

I think the problem is you're throwing in random pushrods because you don't know any better.

Measure for the correct length, get some good rockers and you'll probably be ok.

Think of it like this. go outside with bare feet and jump as high as you can. Lets say you just 8 inches.

Then you put on 4" platform shoes and jump again. the bottom of your shoes will only go up 8 inches, just like the bottom of your feet did.

Same applies to the pushrod/lift thing.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 07:03 PM
  #14  
Austin90RS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Palm harbor,FL
Car: 1990 camaro rs
Engine: LQ4 350 4 Bolt
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 4:10 posi
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by Justin89Formy
wrong.

I think the problem is you're throwing in random pushrods because you don't know any better.

Measure for the correct length, get some good rockers and you'll probably be ok.

Think of it like this. go outside with bare feet and jump as high as you can. Lets say you just 8 inches.

Then you put on 4" platform shoes and jump again. the bottom of your shoes will only go up 8 inches, just like the bottom of your feet did.

Same applies to the pushrod/lift thing.
That's a good point I didn't think about that
I believe stock is 7.200? I got 7.900's
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 07:03 PM
  #15  
Justin89Formy's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 8
From: Moneta, VA
Car: 89 formula 350
Engine: ls1 magnuson tvs2300 supercharger
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 4.11 Dana 44!
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

holy **** thats a monumental increase in length
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 07:24 PM
  #16  
Austin90RS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Palm harbor,FL
Car: 1990 camaro rs
Engine: LQ4 350 4 Bolt
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 4:10 posi
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by Justin89Formy
holy **** thats a monumental increase in length
side by side they only measured near a 1/4 of an inch didn't seem like they were too big
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 07:26 PM
  #17  
Chad85T/A's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Cave City Ar.
Car: 85 T/A
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

1/4 inch is a ton when your measuring for hundredths of an inch.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 07:31 PM
  #18  
Austin90RS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Palm harbor,FL
Car: 1990 camaro rs
Engine: LQ4 350 4 Bolt
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 4:10 posi
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by Chad85T/A
1/4 inch is a ton when your measuring for hundredths of an inch.
regardless could it be the reason 4 rockers have shattered to pieces?
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 07:33 PM
  #19  
Justin89Formy's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 8
From: Moneta, VA
Car: 89 formula 350
Engine: ls1 magnuson tvs2300 supercharger
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 4.11 Dana 44!
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

absolutely!
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 07:35 PM
  #20  
cuisinartvette's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 27
From: Sanctuary state
Car: 67 ******mobile
Engine: 385 Solid roller
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 4.11
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Probably a combination of things
Those are way way too long

Summit sells the tool...its cheap

Then check for interference and buy the correct springs/pushrods. Bet stock or .100 over are fine but you need to measure and get it just right to avoid more problems

Did something similar once I was 19 I think
.480 lift cam on stock 462 heads. rotor exploded every time I hit 5000, car never made power above 4k couldnt figure it out lol. Lucky I never broke anything.
It had problems....the owner that was working on it.
You learn.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 07:36 PM
  #21  
Chad85T/A's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Cave City Ar.
Car: 85 T/A
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Hell yes! Your valve train geometry is WAY off and the 1.6 with that cam are probably hitting your guide boss. Valvetrain geometry is EXTREMELY important. You can get by slightly on a street engine over a race engine, but either way it's better to be right.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 07:41 PM
  #22  
Justin89Formy's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 8
From: Moneta, VA
Car: 89 formula 350
Engine: ls1 magnuson tvs2300 supercharger
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 4.11 Dana 44!
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

its been awhile since I've seen a troll thread on here.....but this has me wondering lol
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 07:54 PM
  #23  
vetteoz's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 14
From: Not in Kansas anymore
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 383 SP EFI/ 4150 TB
Transmission: T400
Axle/Gears: QP 9" 3.73
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by Austin90RS
regardless could it be the reason 4 rockers have shattered to pieces?
Like I said ; physics and geometry.

Cam lifts the pushrod ,pushrod moves the rocker ,rocker hits something and stops , cam keeps pushing up.
Something has to give; in your case the cheap rockers.
I suspect if you had quality rockers you would be bending the pushrods instead
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 08:21 PM
  #24  
vetteoz's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 14
From: Not in Kansas anymore
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 383 SP EFI/ 4150 TB
Transmission: T400
Axle/Gears: QP 9" 3.73
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by Austin90RS
appreciate the lesson there prof, im 17 so don't be so quick to judge


Love how guys who know nothing come here asking for help , then get defensive when told they are wrong.

Old saying
" a little bit of knowledge is dangerous "
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 09:03 PM
  #25  
NagleMac's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 714
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
Car: '91 Camaro RS
Engine: Carb'd 383
Transmission: Built T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Posi
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Get a pushrod length checker and a GOOD set of rockers and springs or things will just get worse
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2013 | 09:03 PM
  #26  
sofakingdom's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Community Builder
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,819
Likes: 2,406
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Problem is probably not the push rod length. 7.9" on a flat-tappet cam, while who knows whether it's "right" or not, is close enough that it shouldn't be creating disasters.

More likely the problem is one of 2 things:

Coil bind. .488" "nominal" lift with 1.6 rockers will end up around .520"; FAR ABOVE what stock springs can handle.

Or, the bottom of the retainers smashing into the top of the guide bosses.

This whole thing sounds like it needs to be torn down and rebuilt properly, with correct parts and some MEASUREMENT, from the head gasket up.

I'd suggest getting a REAL cam instead of the cheeeeeeeeeeeeepest thing the law will allow to be associated with the word "cam".

The rockers are GARBAGE, regardless of anything else. Throw what's left of them in the trash since they've all been stressed beyond their tolerance by whatever is hitting whatever it's hitting. Same deal as the cam-shaped object you now have. Get something decent instead of the cheeeeeeeeeeepest thing that they can legally print "rocker arms" on the side of the box. Preferably steel; either Comp or Crower. (NOT "CAT" or any of the rest of the Chinese knockoff crap)
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2013 | 07:31 AM
  #27  
cuisinartvette's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 27
From: Sanctuary state
Car: 67 ******mobile
Engine: 385 Solid roller
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 4.11
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

When you get springs get new retainers and locks with them
Chances are they are so beat up the locks are ready to pull through the retainers by now and its drop valve in a cyl time. Again they dont cost much.

Always time to do it twice, rarely can afford to. lol
Dont worry this is all part of learning how things work.

Fwiw I had a set of those blue Proforms needle bearings turn to dust in 300 mi on a valvetrain where everthing was right that was back in the late 90s when they came out if I remember right. Spending money twice.....didnt know any better
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2013 | 05:32 PM
  #28  
grumpyvette's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: loxahatchee fla
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by sofakingdom
Problem is probably not the push rod length. 7.9" on a flat-tappet cam, while who knows whether it's "right" or not, is close enough that it shouldn't be creating disasters.

More likely the problem is one of 2 things:

Coil bind. .488" "nominal" lift with 1.6 rockers will end up around .520"; FAR ABOVE what stock springs can handle.

Or, the bottom of the retainers smashing into the top of the guide bosses.

This whole thing sounds like it needs to be torn down and rebuilt properly, with correct parts and some MEASUREMENT, from the head gasket up.

I'd suggest getting a REAL cam instead of the cheeeeeeeeeeeeepest thing the law will allow to be associated with the word "cam".

The rockers are GARBAGE, regardless of anything else. Throw what's left of them in the trash since they've all been stressed beyond their tolerance by whatever is hitting whatever it's hitting. Same deal as the cam-shaped object you now have. Get something decent instead of the cheeeeeeeeeeepest thing that they can legally print "rocker arms" on the side of the box. Preferably steel; either Comp or Crower. (NOT "CAT" or any of the rest of the Chinese knockoff crap)

sofakingdom covered it fairly well, the valve train clearances or geometry are not correct, if your interested,in correcting the issue... heres some links with related info

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/...php?f=52&t=181

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/...hp?f=52&t=1376

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/...hp?f=52&t=9613

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/...hp?f=52&t=6198
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2013 | 07:26 AM
  #29  
bestracing's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: N. Ky
Car: 86 T/A - 70 Z28/RS
Engine: Broke - 350
Transmission: 700R4 - M22
Axle/Gears: G80, 2.73 - ZQ9 G80 4.10
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Originally Posted by sofakingdom
Problem is probably not the push rod length. 7.9" on a flat-tappet cam, while who knows whether it's "right" or not, is close enough that it shouldn't be creating disasters.

More likely the problem is one of 2 things:

Coil bind. .488" "nominal" lift with 1.6 rockers will end up around .520"; FAR ABOVE what stock springs can handle.

Or, the bottom of the retainers smashing into the top of the guide bosses.

This whole thing sounds like it needs to be torn down and rebuilt properly, with correct parts and some MEASUREMENT, from the head gasket up.

I'd suggest getting a REAL cam instead of the cheeeeeeeeeeeeepest thing the law will allow to be associated with the word "cam".

The rockers are GARBAGE, regardless of anything else. Throw what's left of them in the trash since they've all been stressed beyond their tolerance by whatever is hitting whatever it's hitting. Same deal as the cam-shaped object you now have. Get something decent instead of the cheeeeeeeeeeepest thing that they can legally print "rocker arms" on the side of the box. Preferably steel; either Comp or Crower. (NOT "CAT" or any of the rest of the Chinese knockoff crap)
Hit the nail right on the head with this post!
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2013 | 11:40 AM
  #30  
3rdgenmaro's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 18
From: Lincolnton, NC
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 97 5.7 Vortec LT4 hotcam
Transmission: 700 r4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: 1.6 Roller Rockers Shattering!!!HELP!!!

Coil bind is a great way to flatten a cam. Guess what idiot learned the hard way with that.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
KO1
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
16
Oct 15, 2015 05:00 PM
Agent507943
Firebirds Wanted
1
Oct 2, 2015 07:18 AM
92projectcamaro
Engine Swap
4
Sep 29, 2015 07:07 PM
dusterbd
TPI
0
Sep 29, 2015 08:40 AM
tcarlos13
Interior Parts Wanted
0
Sep 28, 2015 06:31 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:11 AM.