Non-Roller vs. Roller Block

[94_Maroon_GT]

Is there a lot of machining work required to convert a non roller 302 block to a roller moter? The reason I ask is that my dad has a ready non roller block and I am a poor college student looking to build my first motor. Would it be even worth it or would I be better finding a HO-Motor?

Andrew

 

[mricci]

you can convert it to roller by either getting the special lifters, pretty expensive, about $300 i think. Or you can get a kit that you have to drill two holes in the block to install. This is a lot cheaper to do.

 

[tjm73]

Non-roller blocks can't be machined to accept roller cams. However, they can be used with roller cams if you use a special reduced base circle camshaft without machining. So it'll be easier than you may have thought.

The big cam makers (and others probably) make cams that will work with the block you have. If you contact them they can tell you what you will need to make it work.

 

[94_Maroon_GT]

Thanks for the replies. I will to call around and find a cam. What are the main differences between the blocks. Are there any cons to running this block?

Andrew

 

[90mustangGT]

Non-roller blocks can't be machined to accept roller cams. However, they can be used with roller cams if you use a special reduced base circle camshaft without machining. So it'll be easier than you may have thought.

The big cam makers (and others probably) make cams that will work with the block you have. If you contact them they can tell you what you will need to make it work.

Are you sure??? I never heard that before. I have a non-roller 302 sitting on the stand. When I read that I thought "oh ****" and went out and tried installing my old stock roller 5.0 cam in it, fit perfectly.

 

[88 Fox GT]

I thought to use a roller cam/lifters in a non-roller block you only needed the lifter guide installed.

I have never heard of the size of the cams being different.