83 flat tappet to modern roller conversion

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FoxGT87

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#1

• Sep 7, 2009

• #1

i have an old 1983 302 flat tappet engine that came out of a mustang vert. i keep on thinking i want to build a stroker engine, and i keep on thinking should i save up for a crate engine or should i try to take that rusty hunk and start from a scratch engine block? is it possible to turn that block into a roller engine or do i have to stay with the flat tappet design? also the engine wasnt properly kept and i would definately have to bring it to a machine shop. i am almost thinking that i would be spending just as much cash to build my own stroker as i would if i were to spend 4,500-5,000 on a 347 crate engine.

 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

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Dallas, GA

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#2

• Sep 7, 2009

• #2

I almost did this once, you need to get the conversion roller lifters that have the bar in the middle and get a cam that works with it I'm pretty sure.

 

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FoxGT87

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#3

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• #3

90mustangGT said:

I almost did this once, you need to get the conversion roller lifters that have the bar in the middle and get a cam that works with it I'm pretty sure.

Click to expand...

right, so if i were to just stroke it out would i still need to convert anything with a hole new rotating assembly? and would it be more/just about as cost efficient just to toss 4,500 dollars for a crate EFI 347 engine that is cranking out 400+ at the crank? my next step with my car being that i am getting grandfathered into a job bumping my pay and giving me 10-20 hours of OT a week i want to do something special for my car and i am thinking more cubes and FI.

 

BK_CAULEY

it's built for speed not longevity, woman

Dec 26, 2006

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49

Thomasville, ga

Sep 7, 2009

#4

• Sep 7, 2009

• #4

you cna buy a roller block from advanced auto parts that cost maybe $50 more than the conversion lifters. just a thought.

 

Darkwriter77

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy

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#5

• Sep 7, 2009

• #5

^--- Indeed. For what you'd spend on a conversion kit, you could easily buy an '87+ long block or short block assembly off Craigslist or wherever else and still have money left over to bolt on some goodies. Flat tappet motors aren't exactly a bad thing, in and of themselves, as I've seen them built up to make some pretty good numbers without a conversion - they did it for decades with the older pre-'85 motors, after all. If you're gonna put a bunch of money into an '83 5.0, the roller conversion wouldn't really be worth the cost and hassle, IMO.

 

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FoxGT87

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#6

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• #6

so no one really seems to be replying about my concerns of a 347 crate. buy a block and stroke it? is that what i am hearing would be the best bang for my buck? i am concerned with the over all cost after i get a decent set of heads i would like to stay under 5,000 dollars for the engine build.

 

Liv2roc

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Jun 13, 2009

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Sep 7, 2009

#7

• Sep 7, 2009

• #7

to run a roller cam in a non roller block you need a convertion kit COMP Cams 31-1000 - COMP Cams Retro Fit Hydraulic Roller Lifter Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
and can be used with stock ford mustang roller lifters but you have to use a special cam with a small circle base and they are twice the price as a nomal roller cam and have a very limited choices to choose from.

 

Shaolin Crane

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Oct 6, 2008

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Kommiefornia

Sep 7, 2009

#8

• Sep 7, 2009

• #8

Dart - SHP Small Block Ford Short Blocks do it, it may come out to a bit more but its hard to pass that up for the price of not having to worry about how much its gonna handle

 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

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#9

• Sep 7, 2009

• #9

Mabe it's time to look into a 351W?

 

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FoxGT87

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#10

• Sep 7, 2009

• #10

yeah i was thinking about that but i havent researched if any of the accessories are bolt on, if the ECU will work. when i saw that i could get a 347 crate engine and bolt all of my accessories and computer up to it, tune, and go for less than 5 grand i was pretty happy. i am basically getting my ducks in a row and going to start brain storming on what i am going to ultimately do. i am a month out from starting this new job so i am a month and a half out from generating any real money. with it though i am sure that by febuary i could have all the cash i need to go either way, 351, 351/302 stroker kit, or a crate engine. not to mention if i stroke it myself then i could do it over time, especially if i bought a short block.

 

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FoxGT87

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#11

• Sep 7, 2009

• #11

i couldnt find the site i found earlier somewhat frustrated that i cant find that damn site. but i did find one comprable and it is producing same numbers and similar price to the other site with more details as to whats going into it.

Limerock Race Ads | For Sale: 347 Ford Stroker Crate Engine 86-93 MustangFree Classifieds Powered By Limerock.racingjunk.com

looking at stuff like that makes me want to go that route and just bolt everything i have in my car currently to it and go. am i just being lazy and may end up running into a bad product? this is will be my first REAL project car and i dont want to loose the streetability of it or end up getting in over my head and having this end up like my last "project" that i ended up sending to the scrap yard as to not pay for storage keeping. i am pretty aprehensive about building my own block as i have not yet been succesful or have attempted it.

i will keep on looking for that other site they had a lot more selection.