BBC roller cam ?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 43
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From: Over The Hills And Far Away
BBC roller cam ?
Hey everyone, I'm starting gathering parts for my "winter project" which is a 454 BB for my 73. My question is is there any special machining needed to be done to a mark IV block for a roller cam? I'm looking at using a Cloyes Quick Button 2 pc Timing cover (#9-231) with a Cloyes Hex A Just Timing Set (#9-3110A). So..will this combo work to stop cam walk or am I missing something? This is my first "roller" build and I really don't want to screw it up
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,262
Likes: 283
From: I'd like to propose a toast... to internal combustion and wind in the face.
There is no special machining required. Have you decided on a particular camshaft yet? If you'll call this guy:
http://straubtechnologies.com/
you'll find the entire process will go a lot easier. Though the roller in my '72 454 is an off-the-shelf Lunati camshaft I got all of other parts from Chris.
BTW, I am using my original stamped-steel timing cover and a button and have yet to have any problems with cam walk. Oh yea, make CERTAIN you get the proper springs for the camshaft and get them installed at the proper height. It's a pricey endeavor. 'Bout $1,200-$1,300 for the whole sha-bang and that's not using a trick timing cover.
Here's the camshaft I'm using:
http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=2155&gid=289
Before this one I had a Comp flat tappet and I think the specs were something like 0.510/0.510 and the duration was like 220 something. It sounded radical next to the roller. With my current roller the show starts at about 3,000 and pulls purdy hard up to 5,000. I don't wind it up any higher than that cuz I'm a panty waist.
http://straubtechnologies.com/
you'll find the entire process will go a lot easier. Though the roller in my '72 454 is an off-the-shelf Lunati camshaft I got all of other parts from Chris.
BTW, I am using my original stamped-steel timing cover and a button and have yet to have any problems with cam walk. Oh yea, make CERTAIN you get the proper springs for the camshaft and get them installed at the proper height. It's a pricey endeavor. 'Bout $1,200-$1,300 for the whole sha-bang and that's not using a trick timing cover.
Here's the camshaft I'm using:
http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=2155&gid=289
Before this one I had a Comp flat tappet and I think the specs were something like 0.510/0.510 and the duration was like 220 something. It sounded radical next to the roller. With my current roller the show starts at about 3,000 and pulls purdy hard up to 5,000. I don't wind it up any higher than that cuz I'm a panty waist.
Last edited by mudbone64; Jul 10, 2012 at 08:18 PM. Reason: I wanted to.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 43
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From: Over The Hills And Far Away
Sounds good, I will definitely give him a call when picking out a cam. The block is at the machine shop now and I just wanted to make sure before I bring it home (came up with the roller idea while at work today). And if you are a "panty waist" for not turning it past 5k rpm, I would hate to know what I am, I have had a #s matching 454 4spd for 12 years now and have never twisted her past 4k in that time! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,262
Likes: 283
From: I'd like to propose a toast... to internal combustion and wind in the face.
I don't know what it is, maybe a different vacuum signal from the non-stock camshaft, but my TH400 is a little inconsistent and lazy about shifting, that is if I shift it manually. When I just hammer on it and let the tranny do the talking it will shift at about 3,500 which is way too low. If I shift the tranny manually it seems like it takes a second or so before it finds the next gear. For these reasons I rarely just crank on it. Oh well, I'm not concerned about *****-to-the wall performance but I do highly enjoy the occasional big smokey burn-out
!
Chris can spec you a custom grind if you prefer one. He likely knows what you want more than you know yourself.
Good luck.
!Chris can spec you a custom grind if you prefer one. He likely knows what you want more than you know yourself.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,358
Likes: 379
From: Plano TX
I'm using that cover with a roller cam. It's nice. Just be sure to test fit the water pump while installing the cover and before the damper. I had to trim the cover just a little bit to clear the w-pump.
The cover makes it easy to adjust cam end-play. Just turn the adjustment until it lightly touches the cam and that's it. When the engine is at temp the cover expands just a hair and that's the correct play.
The cover makes it easy to adjust cam end-play. Just turn the adjustment until it lightly touches the cam and that's it. When the engine is at temp the cover expands just a hair and that's the correct play.
