Non-roller block question

[DMacRacer]

I've seen kits to convert a non-roller block to a roller one, but they indicate that you use a different roller lifter than what is used in a roller block. Do you need to do this? Is the lifter bore different? I would like to convert a block that I have, but not sure it is worth the cost of what I have seen lifters going for.

 

[Grn92LX]

All you need is a set of link bar lifters. They're expensive but its how you properly do it!

 

[DMacRacer]

Is this because the lifter bore is shorter?

 

[95Mustang302]

if you use linkbars can you use a standard circle cam or do you still have to run a reduced circle cam?

 

[DocZG]

regular cam

 

[BlackVert]

hydraulic lifters are taller than the solid lifters, on non-roller blocks, the lifter bore is not as tall as it is on roller blocks. so if you use standard hyd lifters in a non-roller block with a standard base circle cam, you run the risk of pushing the lifters too far out of their bores and spinning out of alignment so that they would not go back down, which would of course be very bad.

youo can use a smaller base circle cam which would drop the lifters further down into the bores, but cams like that are not recommended, not 100% sure of the reason, something about the angles not being good because of the smaller base circle.

link bar lifters are shorter than reguar hyd lifters, and they cannot get out of alignment, and they let you use standard base circle cams, so they are the "right" way to go, but they are very expensive.