[screamingchief]

I'm not much liking those guidplates,so for now I'm gonna blame them for this.

It looks like the guideplate either was'nt aligned properly @ set-up,or they may have shifted @ some point during running,and thus they loaded the roller axle unevenly and that caused the axles to fail.

Excessive lash may also be a contributor to that as well.

All/any of the times I've seen that style of guideplate used successfully,they are set-up and aligned first,then they get tack welded in that middle bar to keep them from shifting around afterwards.

[PONTIAC DUDE]

With the discoloration of the needle bearings and shaft. I would suspect 3 things.

Lubrication

Load

Too much spring pressure for the rocker make.


Did this have a stud girdle?

What springs, retainers & keepers are you using?

I would also recommend tack welding the guide plate after you set the proper geometry.
Ya need to mod the drain back holes.
A lot could have to do with the bearing itself and possible treating & clearance from the factory.

I have put roller rockers thru some severe use over the course of 40 plus years and most issues are at the tip end. And that over long term use.