Thats what happened to mine, the needle bearings went flat, the roller stuck and then the roller got 'flat' and broke off the lifter.
Note there is no 'forced lubrication' to the standard roller needles bearings, it is splash only (requires maintaining a reasonable rpm at ALL times). Newer solid rollers CAN be 'force fed'
oil pressure, which address' the problem of needle failure, but bring some CUBIC dollars and the right block.
I also had to change push rods because of the difference in hieght from roller to flat tappet.
