Trick Flow GenX 255 LS3 Heads Rockers Stripped out! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

John_C · 04-27-2020, 02:58 PM

I was getting cylinder imbalance MIL's and decided to go through the car for new gaskets and ARP head studs, etc.

Upon tear down, it was discovered that I had 2 broken Texas Speed Steel Roller Rocker Arms and the Tick pushrods looked a little worn.

On one of the exhaust rockers (#6), the threads pulled right out with the rocker arm bolt.

Well, we did a Helicoil on the stripped rocker and replaced all the TSP rockers with my old stock LS3 rockers with Smith Brothers LS3 Solid Bronze Rocker Arm Trunion Kit and BTR pushrods.

I didn't get a couple miles down the road and the car started running like it was on 6 or 7 cylinders.

So I tore it down again and discovered the #2 intake and exhaust rocker arms were turned sideways. When I removed those, the threads came right out with the bolt.

I haven't checked the drivers side yet....

So my question is, what is the correct part number for a Time-Cert kit that I can redo every single rocker bolt hole in those heads with?

Will post pictures later...

John_C · 04-27-2020, 03:00 PM

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

John_C · 04-27-2020, 03:02 PM

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

InFiD3ViL · 04-27-2020, 03:23 PM

Is there something stuck in that pushrod oil hole to the very far left? I can't tell if it is just an illusion from the reflection.

John_C · 04-27-2020, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFiD3ViL

Is there something stuck in that pushrod oil hole to the very far left? I can't tell if it is just an illusion from the reflection.

Looked and nothing was in any of them.

Probably the angle and some oil.

zz430camaro · 04-27-2020, 04:09 PM

wow, gonna need to figure out how long of an insert you need. The thread on those bolts is 8mm x 1.25

http://www.timesert.com/html/mtrcsert.html

Id take the heads of to do 16 of them, its too easy to get the thing crocked and get metal chips all over.

Greenhornet2 · 04-27-2020, 04:34 PM

My question would be why is this happening. You shouldn't be stripping out rocker arm bolt holes. What are you torquing them to? What is your cam lift are the springs binding? It looks like you are getting enough threads with grip but the threads you pulled out, 8 or 9 turns.

frankwjr · 04-27-2020, 04:37 PM

p/n 1812,,,extra inserts p/n 18121

how long are your p/r's?

PEACE

John_C · 04-28-2020, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

My question would be why is this happening. You shouldn't be stripping out rocker arm bolt holes. What are you torquing them to? What is your cam lift are the springs binding? It looks like you are getting enough threads with grip but the threads you pulled out, 8 or 9 turns.

I didn't do the install, so I have no clue what they were originally torqued the first nor the second time. But I did provide the instructions to them, so no reason why they'd not know proper tq and tq sequence.

As far as I know, threads pulling out like this are not uncommon with TFS heads.

But, my first shop guy I believe over-tightened the rocker arm bolts. By looking at the carnage, we think he also had used the incorrect size push-rods.

The valve springs are PAC polished 660's with Ti retainers and did have TSP roller rockers. Cam is TSP VVT 3.2 with TSP DoD delete (LS7 lifters, etc.).

Since the failure, I now have my stock rocker back on it with Smith Brothers Trunion Upgrade Kit.

John_C · 04-28-2020, 10:50 PM

The Tick pushrods were 7.575 and my current shop dude says they were too short, even with the TSP LS3 steel roller rocker arms and LS7 lifters.

He installed BTR 7.750 in the TFS GenX 255 heads with stock LS3 rocker arms.

John_C · 04-28-2020, 11:16 PM

Bo White · 04-29-2020, 05:43 AM

I'm running 7.550 with my 13* PRC 260s. That seems to be a pretty long pushrod your running but I don't know what TFS heads run.

Greenhornet2 · 04-29-2020, 07:21 AM

So with your 1.72 rockers you were at .657" intake lift that is damn close you might have better luck now that you are changing back to 1.7s i have a feeling you were getting coil bind maybe on the tight side for preload i would double check what length you need to be sure maybe need a touch shorter on the pushrod length. Just speculation of course.

John_C · 04-29-2020, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo White

I'm running 7.550 with my 13* PRC 260s. That seems to be a pretty long pushrod your running but I don't know what TFS heads run.

On a LS3, TFS recommends a 7.750-7.800 pushrod with GenX 255's as far as I recall.

04-27-2020, 02:58 PM	#1
John_C LSx FTW!!! Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: TN Posts: 767	Trick Flow GenX 255 LS3 Heads Rockers Stripped out! I was getting cylinder imbalance MIL's and decided to go through the car for new gaskets and ARP head studs, etc. Upon tear down, it was discovered that I had 2 broken Texas Speed Steel Roller Rocker Arms and the Tick pushrods looked a little worn. On one of the exhaust rockers (#6), the threads pulled right out with the rocker arm bolt. Well, we did a Helicoil on the stripped rocker and replaced all the TSP rockers with my old stock LS3 rockers with Smith Brothers LS3 Solid Bronze Rocker Arm Trunion Kit and BTR pushrods. I didn't get a couple miles down the road and the car started running like it was on 6 or 7 cylinders. So I tore it down again and discovered the #2 intake and exhaust rocker arms were turned sideways. When I removed those, the threads came right out with the bolt. I haven't checked the drivers side yet.... So my question is, what is the correct part number for a Time-Cert kit that I can redo every single rocker bolt hole in those heads with? Will post pictures later... __________________ 2010 2SS RS A6 781rwhp on E85 Stage 2 ProCharger D1X Circle D 3400 Triple Disc Kooks Jet Hot Headers Kooks Full 3in exhaust Trick Flow GenX 255's Polished PAC .660's & Ti-retainers TSP VVT 3.2 cam kit w/DoD Delete Smith Bro's Trunnion kit AEM X-Series OBDII Widebands FIC ID1300x Injectors GM ZL1 High Output Fuel Pump DSX Tuning Flex Sensor DSX Auxiliary Fuel System Tim King Stage 4 Max Effort CTSV 6L90 DSS 1 piece aluminum driveshaft JRE 6L80E / 6L90E Dipstick NGK Iridium IX spark plugs #7 heat range Mighty Mouse Camaro 5 Wild w/-12an and Billet Black HP Tuners VCM Suite

04-27-2020, 03:02 PM	#3
John_C LSx FTW!!! Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: TN Posts: 767	Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 2010 2SS RS A6 781rwhp on E85 Stage 2 ProCharger D1X Circle D 3400 Triple Disc Kooks Jet Hot Headers Kooks Full 3in exhaust Trick Flow GenX 255's Polished PAC .660's & Ti-retainers TSP VVT 3.2 cam kit w/DoD Delete Smith Bro's Trunnion kit AEM X-Series OBDII Widebands FIC ID1300x Injectors GM ZL1 High Output Fuel Pump DSX Tuning Flex Sensor DSX Auxiliary Fuel System Tim King Stage 4 Max Effort CTSV 6L90 DSS 1 piece aluminum driveshaft JRE 6L80E / 6L90E Dipstick NGK Iridium IX spark plugs #7 heat range Mighty Mouse Camaro 5 Wild w/-12an and Billet Black HP Tuners VCM Suite

04-27-2020, 03:23 PM	#4
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,575	Is there something stuck in that pushrod oil hole to the very far left? I can't tell if it is just an illusion from the reflection. __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

04-27-2020, 04:34 PM	#7
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	My question would be why is this happening. You shouldn't be stripping out rocker arm bolt holes. What are you torquing them to? What is your cam lift are the springs binding? It looks like you are getting enough threads with grip but the threads you pulled out, 8 or 9 turns. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

04-27-2020, 04:37 PM	#8
frankwjr Drives: 2010 SS 2SS M6 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Smithsburg, Md. Posts: 2,445	p/n 1812,,,extra inserts p/n 18121 how long are your p/r's? PEACE __________________ 2010 SS 2SS M6 - Tune by RDP dynoSteve!(Woot) - Daily Driver - *150K!* - All work by me...

04-27-2020, 03:00 PM	#2
John_C LSx FTW!!! Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: TN Posts: 767	Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 2010 2SS RS A6 781rwhp on E85 Stage 2 ProCharger D1X Circle D 3400 Triple Disc Kooks Jet Hot Headers Kooks Full 3in exhaust Trick Flow GenX 255's Polished PAC .660's & Ti-retainers TSP VVT 3.2 cam kit w/DoD Delete Smith Bro's Trunnion kit AEM X-Series OBDII Widebands FIC ID1300x Injectors GM ZL1 High Output Fuel Pump DSX Tuning Flex Sensor DSX Auxiliary Fuel System Tim King Stage 4 Max Effort CTSV 6L90 DSS 1 piece aluminum driveshaft JRE 6L80E / 6L90E Dipstick NGK Iridium IX spark plugs #7 heat range Mighty Mouse Camaro 5 Wild w/-12an and Billet Black HP Tuners VCM Suite

04-27-2020, 04:09 PM	#6
zz430camaro Drives: 2015 1LE Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,485	wow, gonna need to figure out how long of an insert you need. The thread on those bolts is 8mm x 1.25 http://www.timesert.com/html/mtrcsert.html Id take the heads of to do 16 of them, its too easy to get the thing crocked and get metal chips all over. __________________ 2015 1LE, TSP 225/236 113+3, VMAX Throttle Body, CAI with race scoop, GPI Ported Intake, Land Speed Stage 2 Heads, 1-7/8 headers, NPP exhaust, 25% Fluidampr, LT1-S Monster Clutch, 485 RWHP & 444 TQ Last edited by zz430camaro; 04-27-2020 at 04:27 PM.

04-28-2020, 10:50 PM	#10
John_C LSx FTW!!! Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: TN Posts: 767	The Tick pushrods were 7.575 and my current shop dude says they were too short, even with the TSP LS3 steel roller rocker arms and LS7 lifters. He installed BTR 7.750 in the TFS GenX 255 heads with stock LS3 rocker arms. __________________ 2010 2SS RS A6 781rwhp on E85 Stage 2 ProCharger D1X Circle D 3400 Triple Disc Kooks Jet Hot Headers Kooks Full 3in exhaust Trick Flow GenX 255's Polished PAC .660's & Ti-retainers TSP VVT 3.2 cam kit w/DoD Delete Smith Bro's Trunnion kit AEM X-Series OBDII Widebands FIC ID1300x Injectors GM ZL1 High Output Fuel Pump DSX Tuning Flex Sensor DSX Auxiliary Fuel System Tim King Stage 4 Max Effort CTSV 6L90 DSS 1 piece aluminum driveshaft JRE 6L80E / 6L90E Dipstick NGK Iridium IX spark plugs #7 heat range Mighty Mouse Camaro 5 Wild w/-12an and Billet Black HP Tuners VCM Suite Last edited by John_C; 04-28-2020 at 11:28 PM.

04-28-2020, 11:16 PM	#11
John_C LSx FTW!!! Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: TN Posts: 767	__________________ 2010 2SS RS A6 781rwhp on E85 Stage 2 ProCharger D1X Circle D 3400 Triple Disc Kooks Jet Hot Headers Kooks Full 3in exhaust Trick Flow GenX 255's Polished PAC .660's & Ti-retainers TSP VVT 3.2 cam kit w/DoD Delete Smith Bro's Trunnion kit AEM X-Series OBDII Widebands FIC ID1300x Injectors GM ZL1 High Output Fuel Pump DSX Tuning Flex Sensor DSX Auxiliary Fuel System Tim King Stage 4 Max Effort CTSV 6L90 DSS 1 piece aluminum driveshaft JRE 6L80E / 6L90E Dipstick NGK Iridium IX spark plugs #7 heat range Mighty Mouse Camaro 5 Wild w/-12an and Billet Black HP Tuners VCM Suite

04-29-2020, 05:43 AM	#12
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	I'm running 7.550 with my 13* PRC 260s. That seems to be a pretty long pushrod your running but I don't know what TFS heads run.

04-29-2020, 07:21 AM	#13
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	So with your 1.72 rockers you were at .657" intake lift that is damn close you might have better luck now that you are changing back to 1.7s i have a feeling you were getting coil bind maybe on the tight side for preload i would double check what length you need to be sure maybe need a touch shorter on the pushrod length. Just speculation of course. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane