Ebay lq4. Christmas or disaster waiting to happen

[Bbertha]

I purchased an 05 lq4 full pull from a reputable ebay vendor. The truck it came out of was a 05 sierra 2500hd that looked pretty mild from the outside. I started pulling the harness this past weekend and when I popped the valve cover I found this pleasant surprise
yella terra 1.8 rockers with aftermarket springs and heads that are very clean..

 

[Bbertha]

So what is the issue? Well after my excitement i looked closer and found some items of concern

Two rockers appeared to clearance themselves on the head. Only these two out of all of them hit the head. The rest look like they may have kissed but no shaving like these

 

[Bbertha]

Also found this spring sticking out from under one of the springs. Valve seal?

 

[Bbertha]

Besides my concerns, these heads are extremely clean minus typical oil residue from intake manifold. Im assuming they were rebuilt.

 

[Bbertha]

And finally the cam. Hand etched not laser etched like my TSP cam in my Yukon. No clue what cam this is. Wrote on power steering pulley what i thought it said. Any cam gurus can tell me if this jargon means anything?

 

[Bent77]

1. The self clearing rockers are a concern. Means not only extra wear/load/damage, but also suggests that they didn’t set the valves or rockers up correctly

2. yep, valve seal.

3. Probably should check that front cam bearing, it’s a known issue on LS engines

4. we’ll see about the cam

 

[Bbertha]

Sounds good. Ill pull the cam completely out and check for wear damage. I was thinking I may just pull it all and start fresh and just get the heads hot tank to remove debris. My yukon has a tsp high lift cam with stock rockers, just upgraded to straub trunnions and they’ve done great. I don't need the k5’s motor destroyed over some shiny rockers.

 

[Bent77]

If you have the time and funds, it’s always better to have things that are known good

 

[6872xtc]

Sounds good. Ill pull the cam completely out and check for wear damage. I was thinking I may just pull it all and start fresh and just get the heads hot tank to remove debris. My yukon has a tsp high lift cam with stock rockers, just upgraded to straub trunnions and they’ve done great. I don't need the k5’s motor destroyed over some shiny rockers.

Have you dug into this farther?

 

[Bbertha]

Yes I did. Oil pickup tube had metal chunks im assuming from valve seal pieces that made it all the way down into the pan. Currently having the heads rebuilt and thoroughly cleaning the block. I will be switching back to stock rockers but upgrading to bronze trunnions. Also putting new lifters and oil pump in. Not planning on losing a motor on the trail, going to have to do it right the first time. Cylinder walls and piston tops look great so hoping i can clean the block oil passages out. I do not want to crack the caps on crank bearings so just going to cycle oil through passages w a mityvac fluid evacuator. Will be keeping the double springs and hardened pushrods replacing the unknown cam as well. Costing more money then I’d like but dont like doing things twice.