International HD 570 engine

Lifter and dog bone on the left is damaged/broken.
Ones on the right are not.
The lifter retainers will break on the 2004-7 models as well.

 

I have only seen one of the lifter locks fail. Not a common failure I don't think but very expensive to repair.

 

2 of 4 of my engines have failed. The broken retainer causes the lifter to spin, wipes out the camshaft. Metal goes thru the oil pump. Head has to come off to remove the lifters.
Some the lifter gets so damaged it damages the lifter bore in the block. Last one the valve bridge popped off 1 valve, bent the other valve and whacked the side of the injector. And by the time you get it all fixed, your a dozen bolts away from an inframe.
The one unit we still use, we are removing the cylinder head this spring to replace the dog bones preemptively. Will cost a headgasket, and the retainers, and some small seals and gaskets.
As for knowing if it will fail? Roll of the dice. 1 one unit that has not failed is my highest mile unit. Repair history is a great place to start.
It is definitely a serious issue and can ruin an otherwise fantastic engine.