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LS Engine Rocker Arm Upgrades

Factory LS engines offer surprisingly good durability. However, in the process of building/modifying any performance LS engine, if you plan to use factory rocker arms (whether re-using originals or using new factory rockers), you should be aware of the critical need to perform an upgrade to these rocker arms. Specifically, the original trunnions and trunnion bearings should be replaced with an aftermarket upgrade kit.

144790-16

In high rpm situations and when used in conjunction with high valve spring pressures, the factory cageless trunnion needle bearings’s outer shell may begin walking out of the rocker arm’s pivot trunnion bore, resulting in individual needle bearings quickly falling out and scattering throughout the engine (the factory needles are captured by two separate housings, and the outer housing tends to walk out, releasing the needles). Obviously, this isn’t good for either the rockers (no bearings) or the rest of the engine. This situation is aggravated by camshaft upgrades that involve increased RPM and valve spring pressures.

If, during an oil change, you find small “mystery” needle bearings in the oil or stuck to the magnetic drain plug, this is clear evidence of rocker arm needle bearing failure (the needles have left the rockers and are now lying around on top of the heads and washing down through oil drain back holes on their way to the sump. 

Knowing that this possibility exists, the best course of action is to address the issue before it becomes a problem, either by changing to high quality Crane Cams performance full-roller rockers which use high quality caged bearings in their rockers, or by upgrading the original rocker arms. Especially for those on a limited budget, upgrading the factory rockers is an excellent option.

Crane Cams offers a high quality trunnion bearing upgrade kit, part number 144790-16. This kit, applicable to LS1/LS2/LS3/LS6/LS7 Original equipment rockers, includes new 8620 steel trunnions, new fully caged and pre-lubed bearing assemblies, circlips and rocker arm mounting socket head cap screws (along with two thick installation-assist washers). The new trunnions feature extended width with circlip grooves. Instead of the bearing housings relying on a press fit, the additional circlips serve to prevent possible bearing assembly walk-out. These bearings aren’t going anywhere, so the rocker bearing issue is no longer a concern. This kit is designed to withstand higher RPM and high spring pressures, and deliver vastly-improve durability.

 

Camshaft Break-In

Click to read more:

Flat Tappet Camshaft Break-In Procedure

Reasons and Causes for Cam Failure

Holden V8 Cams

Powering Australia’s TOUGHEST HOLDEN V8s for over 30 years!

**UPDATED 1/8/16**

>>Download The Holden V8 Cam Listing!

>>Cams Roller Lifters For Holden V8 Engines

Blue Racer Cams

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>>Download the Blue Racer Cam Listing here!

New Products

New Product—Break-In Engine Oil 10W-40

NEW Viton Seals

New Hi6RC

New Hydraulic Roller Lifters

ULTRA-PRO™ ROLLER LIFTERS

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Tech Bulletins

Currently Available Bulletins:

 

NEW - Flat Tappet Camshaft Break-in Procedure

 

NEW - Reasons and Causes for Cam Failure

 

New Aluminium Roller Rocker Arms Available

 

New Generation Of Enhanced Hydraulic Roller Lifters

 

Steel Distributor Gears for use with Cast or Billet Cams

 

Flat Tappet Camshaft Break-in Procedure

 

Adjusting Hydraulic Lifter Pre-load

 

Three Distributor Models Cover Most Everything from Street to Speedway!

 

Ignitions for Racing and Street Applications

 

Cam & Lifter Recommendations

 

Crane’s Always Known How to Make Cams Go Rump, Whap and Thump!

 

Valve Spring Retainer Height Chart!

 

Mechanical Roller Lifters For Street & Competition!

 

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Automotive Performance Distributors
167 Railway Tce
Mile End South
5031 South Australia

Ph. 08 83635566
sales@autopd.com.au

About Us

Automotive Performance Distributors Pty. Ltd.(Formerly Crane Technologies Pty. Ltd) was set up in 1997 as a Joint Venture with Crane Cams in the USA, to distribute the range of Crane products to retailers & wholesalers throughout Australia.

Automotive Performance Distributors is 100% Australian Owned and Operated.

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