CHEVY6000VHO

iTrader: (2)

My brother has a 2001 Z71 w/ the 5.3L.
At 73,000 mi we found a needle bearing attached to the magnetic drain plug.
He had an extended warranty through an aftermarket co until 75,000mi.
At a GM dealership they recommended replacing all of the roller rockers.
The extended warranty co. he had would only pay for the one damaged rocker.
Well, we changed the oil in it at 91,000 mi and found two more needle bearings.
Basically, which brand and what ratio should we replace all 8 of them with??
I've never done this on a GM 5.3L, so I was wondering how difficult it is from start to finish?
Also are the rockers adjustable or just a straight bolt down type?
What torque do they need to be torqued down to?
Should we replace the push rods too while we're in there?
What kind of cost are we looking at?

Thanks,
Jim

99Silver6.0

iTrader: (1)

Jesel makes a killer set of shaft mounts but they arent cheap. Harland Sharp will rebuild your stockers if you want to go that route. Yella Terra makes some nice rockers too. 1.7 will keep you at stock rocker ratio. They arent hard to install though. Might as well get some pushrods too while your in there. Run about $100 bucks. No adjusting, just bolt down and go. 22ft/lbs is stock TQ. The shaft mounts will be different. They mount to the head differently than the stock rockers do.

Yella Terras are like $499
Jesels are $695
Rebuild stockers is $245 plus your stock rockers

KySilverado

iTrader: (7)

I'd probably go back with the stockers. Don't see any reason to replace push rods on stock cam. I don't know cost. They are straight bolt down. 22 ft lbs. Most recommend lock-tite. Roate engine 180 after first pass and torque again. Probably a 2 hour job. Get a good 8mm, 6point and long extensions with ta CV type swivel for the rear ones. I looked a Harland Sharp for replacement to mine when I did my cam install. Pricey and started reading about failures with some. Many of the aftermarket units don't fit well under the short valve covers. The stock units really are very good.

99Silver6.0

iTrader: (1)

They are good in their own special way. But they are only roller fulcrum.

CHEVY6000VHO

iTrader: (2)

I thought everyone said in the past that the larger ratio 1.8 will fit under the stock valve covers?
So you would not recommend stepping up from stock 1.7 to 1.8 ratio rockers?

Someone surely makes a quality larger ratio that will fit under the valve
covers.

Jim

99Silver6.0

iTrader: (1)

The SLP's might fit under the stock VC's. There is always spacers too!

KySilverado

iTrader: (7)

Agreed. Miles ahead of previous stock designs. Hard to beat for stock to moderately cammed engines that rarely see better than 6000 rpm.

CHEVY6000VHO

iTrader: (2)

I know I want aftermarket units. I just need to know a good set of 1.8 ratio roller rockers to go with that will fit under the valve covers.
I would like to know the part number too.

Do I need a new set of valve cover gaskets?

Jim

CHEVY6000VHO

iTrader: (2)

Oh yeah, I want to replace the plugs too, which plugs? Factory platinum plugs or NGK? If NGK, which ones?

Jim

KySilverado

iTrader: (7)

Sorry, I cannot definatively recommend a set of 1.8 aftermarket rockers that will work. I have no personal experience with them. I do know that when I was looking at options for my recent cam install for every after market 1.8 rocker I found, I also found somebody having issues with them. Whether it was clearance, getting them adjusted, or reliability issues. I did not see benefit to risk over stock. There is not that much gained by the additional ratio in my opinion. I realize now you want to get away from stockers. The popular ones are Yella Terra's, Crane, and Harland Sharp. Have a look at couple of the sponsers web sites on this board, SDPC or Thunder Racing. Have a look in the internal engine forum (search) to help with the decision.

With that many miles on the truck I would recommend new valve cover gaskets.

Good Luck and sorry I couldn't help more.