Picked up a cheap used block, few ?'s

D

Deleted member 87397

Jun 2, 2007

#1

• Jun 2, 2007

• #1

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

Jan 6, 2007

94

1

0

Birmingham, Al

Jun 2, 2007

#2

• Jun 2, 2007

• #2

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

 

D

Deleted member 87397

Jun 2, 2007

#3

• Jun 2, 2007

• #3

Don't the non-roller blocks have different crank rotation or firing order? I don't want to make the project any more complex than it needs to be. Anyone have a good condition stock roller block near Dallas Tx?

 

Hickfied

Member

Nov 9, 2005

413

0

16

Morganton, NC

Jun 2, 2007

#4

• Jun 2, 2007

• #4

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.

 

D

Deleted member 87397

Jun 2, 2007

#5

• Jun 2, 2007

• #5

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?

 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

3,133

18

108

Chicagoland

Jun 2, 2007

#6

• Jun 2, 2007

• #6

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

Nov 9, 2005

413

0

16

Morganton, NC

Jun 2, 2007

#7

• Jun 2, 2007

• #7

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.

 

joncash

just high enough to be functional

Founding Member

Dec 9, 2000

756

4

39

The USA's peen

Jun 3, 2007

#8

• Jun 3, 2007

• #8

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.

 

D

Deleted member 87397

Jun 3, 2007

#9

• Jun 3, 2007

• #9

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

Jan 6, 2007

94

1

0

Birmingham, Al

Jun 3, 2007

#10

• Jun 3, 2007

• #10

no link bar lifters are an aftermarket style.

 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

3,133

18

108

Chicagoland

Jun 3, 2007

#11

• Jun 3, 2007

• #11

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.

 

D

Deleted member 87397

Jun 3, 2007

#12

• Jun 3, 2007

• #12

Well screw that then. I've already got most everything I need to do a rebuild on a roller block so I'll just ditch this one and find something better. Thanks for all the input everyone.

 

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

4,933

101

124

Seattle

Jun 3, 2007

#13

• Jun 3, 2007

• #13

Other option is to not run hyd rollers.

Hyd flat
solid roller
solid flat
All will run in that block just fine.

Solid Roller is a pretty decent option...



jason