Is This Roller Set Up For Real?????

[Guest V8Z]

I'm wanting to go with a full roller system on my pre 1987 350 block but the retro kit from procomp cams is rediculously over priced. Check out this link from ebay and tell me what you think, great idea or major rip off.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy-SBC-Retrofit-Hydraulic-Roller-Lifters-cam-retro_W0QQitemZ200028126735QQihZ010QQcategoryZ33614QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[280zwitha383]

I have seen this on ebay before and I would give it a try. I wouldn't do it on a high dollar engine but just to get a roller cam sure.

[Guest V8Z]

It's only 20 bucks and could possibly save me 500.00 or so dollars. I just worry about the "engine mod" he is talking about.

[Lason]

Looks like a stock spider tray and link bars from a 87-up sbc to me. You could just as easily go to wrecking yard and find the same thing for $5 and then drill and tap your block to use it. The only thing I would check is the height of the lifter bores on the block.

[grumpyvette]

its an old idea that works (KIND-OF-BARELY-SOMETIMES)its really BULL $HIT, the lifter bores in the older blocks and oil passage locations won,t work correctly and if the cam lift exceeds about .500 youll generally have problems

CAN it be done yes, will it work,that depends on the application and rpm range, but generally its a BAD idea or thats what GENERAL.MOTORS. would have done, they changed the lifter bores length for a REASON and the after market systems are designed that way FOR A REASON, you can,t CHEAT and expect it to work correctly

 

if you want to save money...

 

http://www.dougherbert.com/

 

http://www.dougherbert.com/hydraulicrollerliftercam-p-9882.html

 

http://www.dougherbert.com/highenergyhydraulicrollerlifters-p-10126.html

[Guest V8Z]

So your saying that the retro kits that ProComp and Crane are offering are ok to use? I didn't know that the lifter bore was different. That's really ashame to, if this could work it would save a ton of money, but like you said you can't cheat and appect it to work.

[jakeshoe]

The retrofit kits that use a linked lifter will work fine.

The kits sold on Ebay are just instructions on how to grind your block and what wrecking yard parts to get to make it work.

I have to agree with grumpy that it isn't a good idea.

However the lifter bores are in the same location and diameter and the oil galleries on the blocks are in the same location, so that wouldn't be the issue, all the grinding on a perfectly good block to make the lifter retainers clear would be, as if you go too deep your into the water jacket, and even if you don't you may be close, making the block prone to crack.

 

The retrofit lifters look like any aftermarket roller lifter, a pair of lifters is linked together by horizontal or vertical bar. This keeps the roller on the lifter running sqaure to the cam lobe, whereas the factory design uses the lifter retainers.

The factory setup runs into problems with high lift because the lifter will drop out of the bottom of the retainer on high lift cams, and then not be controlled, begin hitting the retainer, etc. Not a good setup for a performance oriented motor.

[Guest V8Z]

Another thing that I have been seeing on the retro roller kits is a "True roller timing chain" Why would the stock pre 1987 timing chain and gears work?

[dr_hunt]

If you want to half a$$ it, do that. If you want it right buy the right parts. Of course you could have the non-original "Junk Yard Dog" car too, but why?!!

[Zerrari GTO]

I bought those instructions on ebay about 5 months ago. I figured 20 bucks, why not.

After I read over everything I realized that this method is pretty sketchy and leaves a lot of stuff to chance. I would not spend the time and money trying to make this work.

[280zwitha383]

Well there you have it as far as that idea. What I PREFER to do is get a late model block that already has a roller cam. You might see if a machine shop will take your block in as a trade.