Non-Roller vs. Roller Block

9

94_Maroon_GT

New Member

Apr 2, 2005

7

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May 30, 2005

#1

• May 30, 2005

• #1

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

Member

Aug 17, 2003

301

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17

Massachusetts

May 30, 2005

#2

• May 30, 2005

• #2

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.

 

T

tjm73

Founding Member

Aug 3, 2000

2,418

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48

Rush, NY

May 30, 2005

#3

• May 30, 2005

• #3

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.

 

9

94_Maroon_GT

New Member

Apr 2, 2005

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May 30, 2005

#4

• May 30, 2005

• #4

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

I felt sorry for girls because

Founding Member

Jan 15, 2002

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89

Dallas, GA

May 30, 2005

#5

• May 30, 2005

• #5

tjm73 said:

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.

Click to expand...

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

Active Member

Nov 18, 2002

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Iowa

May 30, 2005

#6

• May 30, 2005

• #6

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.