I pulled the LH valve cover on my 95 LT1 today. Been running fine, but there's a chirping sound coming from the general area of the LH valve cover.

Here's the only thing I found that looks abnormal:



The rocker appears undamaged, the pushrod is straight. Do I need to replace this retainer?

 

I think you already know the answer. Find any of the pieces?

 

How many miles does it have? Might be a good time for some fresh springs and 1.6 roller rockers.

 

Yeah, I pretty much knew the answer already, yes it needs to be replaced

I guess what I was looking for was guidance on whether I can just replace that one (are they even sold individually?), or do I need to replace them all, plus valve springs, or anything else?

The motor has 138K on it. I thought about rockers, but really, I'm just daily driving this car and not out to wring every last hp from it.

Edit: no, I didn't find any pieces. I'm guessing they are in the pan, or washed out with a prior oil change.

 

I have a full set of comp cams dual valve springs brand new with 10 deg retainers and locks im selling.

 

Price?

 

Please take care of offers to buy and sell via "PM", not in the tech forums.

 

I'd just drop in some LT4 springs singles or something simple, no need for Comp dual springs for a stock cam. Depending on the size of the pieces they should be hanging around the head area, lifter vallery, or near the oil drain backs. I doubt they make out of the oil pan. I still maintain that full roller rockers would be a nice addition to your bolt on car, it'll wake it up a little and you might as well do it while your in there changing springs.

Really, I think we established Mr. SupersportSS bought no name springs from ebay and you're rolling the dice buying something unknown. Valve springs are one of those things I would be careful buying second hand. Search for LT4 / Hotcam spring kit. Or you could give Lloyd Elliott a ring, he probably has some factory spec springs laying around the shop for cheap.

 

Thanks for that info. A friend who runs a shop that does a lot of LT1/LS1/etc work is going to get me set up with some suitable parts. I may do some roller rockers.

 

I am running the Bullet VS574 which are about $80 for the set and they are not way overkill on rates for a stock setup.

I am in the minority but I passed on the LT4 springs as the rate are no better than the LT1; the LT4s are ovoid so they handle higher lift, the LT4 used much lighter valves to control bounce. So using LT4 springs with LT1 valves only improves lift capability, it does little to control valve float.

The Bullets are (recollection as on my ipad, not laptop) about 15% stiffer than the LT1s and give the lift of the LT4. They are a spring/damper thats fits with the stock set/retainers (buy new hardened locks as they are cheap, and also do the seals while you are in there.) Downside, I suspect they are made overseas though I found no evidence online of failures.

 

OP

that is one significant size piece, or now pieces, of metel inside your motor somewhere. I woould make a serious effort in finding it. pulling the intake, you could try snaking a flex tool with a magnet on it in the oil drain hole or remove the oil level sensor and try from that hole....you may get lucky and get it. replace drain plug with one that has a magnet on end