I want to make my block roller

[sgarrelts01]

I want to change my set up to roller.

I have a block out of a 89 F-150.

What do i need.

I know i need some kit, or certain kind of lifters, or something along those lines.

Please help, my car runs like crap and i am hoping changing this over will help. Even if it doesn't help i still want to change it over.

Part numbers, kits, anything will help me out a lot, thanks.

 

[ID89GT]

I wouldn't go through all the trouble of making that block a roller. I would grab an old block and convert that over rather than use a truck block.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

That block is probably already a roller block if it's a 302. Look for the lifter valley to be drilled and tapped for the spider hold-down. If it is, you have a roller block, but if not, it's typically a fairly expensive conversion ($500+ for link-bar lifters).

 

[revhead347]

Should be set up to be a roller block if it's a 302. If it's a 351, you will need those special lifter bars.

Kurt

 

[sgarrelts01]

So all i need if it is already tapped is that retro fit sypder thing, and some roller lifers.

Someone said if i do that then i need a reduced base cam is that true.

 

[nmcgrawj]

So all i need if it is already tapped is that retro fit sypder thing, and some roller lifers.

Someone said if i do that then i need a reduced base cam is that true.

what block is it? 302 or a 351?


If you dont run the $500 lifters in a non-roller 351 block, then yes u have to run a reduced base circle cam. If you get the linked bar lifters, then you can run any standard cam you want.



Honestly, if its a 351w i would spend the $500.

 

[BlackVert]

what block is it? 302 or a 351?


If you dont run the $500 lifters in a non-roller 351 block, then yes u have to run a reduced base circle cam. If you get the linked bar lifters, then you can run any standard cam you want.



Honestly, if its a 351w i would spend the $500.

+1

running a reduced base circle cam is not recommended

 

[sgarrelts01]

what block is it? 302 or a 351?


If you dont run the $500 lifters in a non-roller 351 block, then yes u have to run a reduced base circle cam. If you get the linked bar lifters, then you can run any standard cam you want.



Honestly, if its a 351w i would spend the $500.

Its a 331 stroker. I fooked up building it. My first build, i made some mistakes.

So since its a 302, i can run any cam i want with the spyder thing and any roller lifters i want.

I would so love not to spend 500 just on lifters, that would be super cool.

My wife is going to kill me if i keep spending money.

I just want some roller lifters, rockers and cam.

Being a flat tappet, the push rod situation is getting to much to deal with. I just want roller lol.

 

[nmcgrawj]

So is there not a roller cam in it now?


Im confused.

 

[sgarrelts01]

So is there not a roller cam in it now?


Im confused.

No roller cam, no roller lifters.

But i want a roller cam and lifters.

 

[nmcgrawj]

No roller cam, no roller lifters.

But i want a roller cam and lifters.

If you post up everything you have in your engine right now, what went wrong, what u did wrong, and your end goal...it will be much easier for people to help.


To start it off, what cam/lifter setup are u running?

 

[BlackVert]

sounds to me like you can just get a roller cam, lifters and the spider hold down thingy and you'll be good to go. from where did the block come?

 

[sgarrelts01]

If you post up everything you have in your engine right now, what went wrong, what u did wrong, and your end goal...it will be much easier for people to help.


To start it off, what cam/lifter setup are u running?

Its a 331 stroker, with keith black flat top pistons. gt-40 alum heads, bbk shorty headers, 24lbs injectors, typhoon intake, 70mm throttle body, the cam i have is a Comp Magnum cam duration 296 with magnum lifters, all flat tappet

What i did wrong was made it flat tappet instead of roller, that was my mistake, now i want it roller, an need to know what i have to do.

sounds to me like you can just get a roller cam, lifters and the spider hold down thingy and you'll be good to go. from where did the block come?

The block was either out of a 87 or 89 F-150 i forgot which year.

 

[sgarrelts01]

Why can't i just go by roller lifters, roller cam and so on.

What is the difference between a non roller 302 and a roller 302.

Where 87-90 F150 302's roller, or roller capable without doing anything besides throwing the parts in there.

I am lost, my car runs like crap, i am about ready to set the car on fire.

pulling the engine apart doesn't bother me because i get the work done for free. I just need to know what the hell to do.

 

[79'293stang]

If it was a 302 out of those years, correct me if I am wrong, but it should have been roller to start off. So the question is where did the hardware go from the original roller cam? Really to be honest if your car runs like crap a swap from flat to roller wont change it a whole lot unless you have intermixed hardware causing issues and your unaware...

 

[nmcgrawj]

Why can't i just go by roller lifters, roller cam and so on.

What is the difference between a non roller 302 and a roller 302.

Where 87-90 F150 302's roller, or roller capable without doing anything besides throwing the parts in there.

I am lost, my car runs like crap, i am about ready to set the car on fire.

pulling the engine apart doesn't bother me because i get the work done for free. I just need to know what the hell to do.

To know what to do, u have to know what you have.

You can google and search to find out some of your questions....but for roller blocks its the lifter bore. Roller lifters are taller, so you need the hole the lifter sits in (lifter bore) to be taller to "keep the lifter in". On non rollers you have to buy the linked bar lifters (there's a horizontal bar connecting the lifters at the top of them) to keep them inside the bore since the bore is shorter.

Those 302s should be roller. People have explained what it would take to make it a roller if it wasnt already.

a quick google search found this

All passcar engines from '86 up were roller cammed as well

Not true (at least for ALL Ford 302s), my F150 has a roller block, but a flat tappet cam. I believe after 85, all 302 blocks will accept a roller cam, but they didn't necessarily come with a roller cam.

This is what the lifter hold down/spider looks like that should be under your lower intake if its a roller cam

There are 2 bolts that go through the middle of the "hold down" piece that go into the center of the liftery galley. If you want to run a roller, you need this in there.

 

[99FiveOh]

Look at the lifter valley, are there 2 threaded holes down the center line of the block? If so it's a roller block. Also, look at the number on the block and post them up, it's a 100% way to be sure what you have. Example: my 351 is F4TE-AA Look around on the block for something like that and let us know what it is.

I believe Ford started putting hydraulic roller camshafts in their motors in 85.

 

[nmcgrawj]

Look at the lifter valley, are there 2 threaded holes down the center line of the block? If so it's a roller block. Also, look at the number on the block and post them up, it's a 100% way to be sure what you have. Example: my 351 is F4TE-AA Look around on the block for something like that and let us know what it is.

I believe Ford started putting hydraulic roller camshafts in their motors in 85.

They started making roller blocks...but not necessarily all were roller camshafts.



Which makes me wonder, on blocks that were roller ready, but still had a flat tappet....were those holes tapped and threaded? Or were the lifter bores just taller?

 

[99FiveOh]

well, pictures are worth 1000 words they say, I say he get's out the ole' camera and get some pics of this motor for us to peruse.

 

[nmcgrawj]

well, pictures are worth 1000 words they say, I say he get's out the ole' camera and get some pics of this motor for us to peruse.

exactly. And from the sound of it, he's not doing the work. So to me, all these questions should be able to be answered by the guy doing the work....and if they cant be....well....


he shouldnt be doing the work.