Just figured out the block I have is a non roller block. Is this a big deal? Can I make it a roller? After I got it home and cleaned off the grime I found a EOAE casting which means it's from a carbed car without roller valvetrain. Is this thing a boat anchor. What should I do?
I'm not super sure, but I always heard that the non roller motors had stronger blocks. You can convert it to roller, but it's not cheap, if it were me, I'd get a roller block.
I have another block that is a 86 roller, but the piston skirt broke on it and I have not had a chance to pull it all apart and see if there was any damage to the cyl. wall. So I may be abe to use that one. Any other input? Are the blck actually stronger?
I doubt the block will be stronger unless you're talking about a 60's 302 and even then...
I think all 5.0L blocks (post 1986) are rollor blocks but not all got the rollor cam. You could use the rollor cam from your other block I think. My 302 is a 1987 E150 engine with the E7 heads, the block has holes for the rollor setup but has a flat tapette cam which will stay that way...
I doubt the block will be stronger unless you're talking about a 60's 302 and even then...
I think all 5.0L blocks (post 1986) are rollor blocks but not all got the rollor cam. You could use the rollor cam from your other block I think. My 302 is a 1987 E150 engine with the E7 heads, the block has holes for the rollor setup but has a flat tapette cam which will stay that way...
true, i am using a 90 truck block and it is roller ready but i don't want it to be a roller. look in the lifter valley for the 2 threaded holes. you can make it a roller and it wouldn't be that expensive, just get the roller hardware(off of the 86 motor) and drill and tap the 2 holes. then get a small base circle roller cam and drop in the stock roller lifters and rods and you're rollerized. or you can put those lifter bore extensions on instead of getting a small base circle cam.
I have also heard that the pre-roller days had a stronger block, but, roller setups are a hell of a lot better than non-roller. Flat-tappet is not the way to go because it pops the valve open and then slams it back in the head. They sometimes have poor idle ability and increase wear on the valve stem. Rollers are superior for a reason and it is because they can rev higher and smoother, increase valve stem life, and have the ability to make use of a longer-duration cam if wanted. Yes, as said, there is a conversion for the roller setup. If you do use the block, do yourself a favor and convert to roller setup. If you are that worried about breaking your block then you should not be looking at a stock 302 block - you should seek for an aftermarket one or something stronger. Is there anything terrible about a flat-tappet setup? No, but a roller setup is vastly favorable.