So the top end was taken apart today because of the 'lifter' issue. The push rods were worn on one side not dependent if it was lifter or rocker. I didn't notice any wear when I was cleaning them during the first rebuild and neither did Case. There was also scoring on the ends of rollers of the lifters but not the cam. The marks on the push rods were striated as if it was machined and were all uniform. Not sure if that's how it's suppose to be or not because they weren't like that before. Pics below of both ends.

 

Push rods must go back to the same intake and exhaust rocker arms. The same with the rocker arms or the will ware out very quickly (the push rods and rocker arms ware in together as a matched set) . Witch more then likely caused the roller lifters scoring. This means there's metal in the oil and you need to change the oil!
Replace the rollers lifters, push rods and rockers with new parts. And you might also change to roller rockers. Also get a magnetic oil drain plug.
USE OIL that has zinc in it, new oils have removed the anti-ware additives such as zinc. Look on the back of the oil container and make sure its for use with (The zinc has not been removed.) diesel engines.

 

You could have also overtightened your rocker arms. But if you didn't put the correct ones where they came out of, then it will wear out like that. Time for yella terra full roller rockers?

 

the 3.8 uses a rocker mount that is pretty much shaft style. torque it down, then turn it to yield. there is no adjustment or possibility of over tightening. i did notice though the rocker arms have the same striations as the one side of the push rod. i know i got them all to the same rocker, maybe just a few of them upside down. i just want to know if it should look like that or not

 

looks like they werent getting enough oil to em.

 

Could that be caused by the crappy lifters?

 

Well, did you break in your cam? If so what procedure did you use?

 

if the lifters were not flowing oil for some reason or another yes but it sure wouldd be odd if they all were that way. did the pushrods have any side pressure on them from the guides?

 

Yes the cam was broken in holding it at 2k. Roller cams take no break in lube.


Craby, there was no pressure. Case wanted me to reiterate that the wear was on one end of each push rod, didn't matter if it was against the rocker or the lifter.

 

ok well it may be that the pushrods where worn to a pattern and when reinstalled did not mate up. were the lifters, pushrods and rockers new?