Thread: Installing LS7/Comp OE-R Lifters

I will be installing these soon and want to do this correctly the first time.

I will be using comp reusable rocker bolts,

zzp 6.95"-5/16" pushrods (i just bought 7.05" stock length, but zzp says that will be too much preload for LS7 lifters.

i have cometic .052" head gaskets, which is .010" thinner

heads are milled .005"

stock rockers

stock valves

nic cam


do i set lifters on base circles or does it matter if they are open or closed with these engines? Then after that, what about preload. what torque + * of turn

Thanks in advance

soak them in oil a day or 2 before you throw them in. I think the bolts get torqued to 25 ft#

thats it?? dont have to set lifters on base circle of cam lobe then torque? what about when zzp website says 1/4-3/4 turn

I just torqued the bolts down then turned the motor over a few times and then rechecked the torque. You'll have to check the preload on them though.

It's a good idea to soak then like dsmuts said or sometimes they will be loud until the oil soaks them.


Just install them with the oil passage hole facing the same way so they wear evenly.

Originally Posted by GTPpower

You can't adjust preloaded without adjustable rockers. Torque the rocker bolts to specs and make sure you have the correct pushrod length for your preload. There is literally nothing else you can do without adjustable rocker arms.

I always wondered this before I did my rockers. People were telling me about preload being important on aftermarket lifters and telling me about torque on the rocker bolts... and I would wonder, how do you adjust preload if you're torquing the rocker bolts to a specific number without any other variable on the rockers... it seems like either you torque them to 25, or torque them differently to adjust the preload, which didnt make sense to me.

So, I cranked them down to 25 and it was happy.

Thanks for clearing that up.

I am running the stock pushrods on ls7 lifters...

You have your motor apart and you're not camming it?

I'm .015" thinner due to milled heads and thinner head gaskets.

I don't know what I should do

A local guy did XP cam with LS7 lifters and had to go with shorter pushrods. His preload was too much.

i think im gonna end up getting the 6.95" pushrods to be safe

Why not get the comp cam tool and measure first before you spend the money and get stuck with a set you can't use?