Okay so I came across a block for 50 bucks that I was told was a 302 out of a Fox and I had no way of checking the code at the time, but I figured for 50 bucks I'd take a chance. The previous owner got it from a guy who had GT-40's on it and he didn't need the block. So I got it home and looked up the casting number and it's turns out it's a 78 block from a Lincoln. # is D8VE-6015-A3AZ and the production stamp is 7J23 with a large 24 and 78 stamped in some other spots near the casting number. Anyway I assume this is a non-roller no HO block. My intent is to build a H.O roller 331. Can it be done with this block? If so, what do I need to make it work?
86nu
New Member
yeah, just buy the tray and dog bones and any decent machine shop can tap the block for the screws that hold the trey, then just drop in your lifters and keep on going
Hickfied
Member
The crank rotation is not different, and the firing order is based on the cam. You only have to tap two holes into the lifter valley for the spider to hold the dog bones down, and boom, your rollerfied.
sounds good. I think it has holes tapped in it already for the spider. Previous owner had GT 40's on it and when I pulled the cam it was an Erson. I'd like to know the specs on the cam, but I haven't found it in their catalog yet. Is there any way to tell if it's a roller can other than finding the specs online?
If I'm not mistaken, the lifter bores are shorter on the older non-HO blocks, so you'll have to run link bar roller lifters if doing the conversion to a roller cam.
Hickfied
Member
Did the engine still have lifters in it, when you bought it? And I think StangGT1995 is correct, as I have never done it myself.
Yep, he is correct. Non-roller blocks have lifter bores that are too short for factory-style lifters. You either have to get a retrofit camshaft with a smaller base-circle (Comp is a good source) so the factory-style lifters will sink down far enough, or the special linked lifters mentioned in a previous post.
So basically I can use stock style roller lifters as long as I attach two together with the dogbones first so the don't sink too far into the bores. Otherwise I need a cam with a smaller base circle. I currently have a spider and some dogbones that I picked up with some new lunati lifters. I have a TFS stage 1 cam going in and whatever pushrods come in the TFS top end kit. can't remember the length.
86nu
New Member
These are the type of lifters you'll need if you want to run a hydraulic roller in a non-roller block. They're also the same type used when using a non-roller 351W with a roller cam.
Edit: Here's a cheaper set made by Crower. The Crane ones are nearly $500.
Edit: Here's a cheaper set made by Crower. The Crane ones are nearly $500.
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