Pre '87 SBC vs Post '87 SBC
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 226
From: Cocoa FL
Pre '87 SBC vs Post '87 SBC
I have an '80 C3 that I am in the process of working on. I ordered a roller cam/lifter set from Summit a few months back and am now ready to install it. As I was ordering a few more other parts from Summit I realized the set I ordered is only for 1987 - 1998 that originally came with roller lifters. Obviously mine being an '80 it won't work - or will it? Does anyone really know what the difference is that would prevent me from using this cam & lifters?
If I can't get this set to work I'm thinking I might see if I can get a short block from the junk yard.
Anyone have any other suggestions?
If I can't get this set to work I'm thinking I might see if I can get a short block from the junk yard.
Anyone have any other suggestions?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
I have an '80 C3 that I am in the process of working on. I ordered a roller cam/lifter set from Summit a few months back and am now ready to install it. As I was ordering a few more other parts from Summit I realized the set I ordered is only for 1987 - 1998 that originally came with roller lifters. Obviously mine being an '80 it won't work - or will it? Does anyone really know what the difference is that would prevent me from using this cam & lifters?
If I can't get this set to work I'm thinking I might see if I can get a short block from the junk yard.
Anyone have any other suggestions?
If I can't get this set to work I'm thinking I might see if I can get a short block from the junk yard.
Anyone have any other suggestions?
You should return the parts, or get a 1pc RMS roller block.
-- Joe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
You should return the stuff. 87 stuff has a machined lip in the front of the cam for the cam plate. The 86 stuff would have a flat face and need a thrust washer setup to retain the cam. You also have different lifters and mechanisms to retain them. The 87 block would use a lifter retainer and dog bones to keep the lifters in. The 86 would use link bar lifters. There may even be differences I height as well. Then the rocker arms on late model stuff seem to be self aligning.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
You should return the stuff. 87 stuff has a machined lip in the front of the cam for the cam plate. The 86 stuff would have a flat face and need a thrust washer setup to retain the cam. You also have different lifters and mechanisms to retain them. The 87 block would use a lifter retainer and dog bones to keep the lifters in. The 86 would use link bar lifters. There may even be differences I height as well. Then the rocker arms on late model stuff seem to be self aligning.
-- Joe
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
You have to drill and tap holes in the lifter valley and buy the OEM spider retainer bracket to use the OEM lifters. The cam needs a retainer or a cam button in the timing cover. The fuel pump lobe is often not on the roller cam ... Also I've heard the distributor gear needs to be changed or it will eat the cam gear.
Like they said above, it just isn't worth it to go this route. The retro kits are much easier or go back to the old flat tappet cam and lifters. Oil choice and breaking in will be your only annoyance with that.
Like they said above, it just isn't worth it to go this route. The retro kits are much easier or go back to the old flat tappet cam and lifters. Oil choice and breaking in will be your only annoyance with that.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 555
From: Seattle Washington
Although the Parts You ordered are not worth the effort to use in Your Block its very straight forward to use aftermarket Parts to install a Roller Cam in the Block You have. You would be using a Billet Cam and Lifters with Doglegs joining them together. Because the 87 and newer parts are mass produced for OEM they are going to be less money than the Aftermarket ones for the earlier Block.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Summit customer service and return policy is next to none. If they dont fully refund your $$$ then i expect they would accept the parts on exchange basis for different parts.
Other than that the pre '87 blocks cannot use the post '87 OEM hyd roller lifters - bore castings are to short. And there are GM hyd roller cams with a "stepped nose" and without. But if the OEM hyd roller has a thrust plate u can cut off the "ears" and use it as a spacer between cam and block. Then use a cam "button" to control cam end play. The only advantage is many GM performance hyd roller cams are much cheaper - nearly half the price - than the aftermaket vendor cams. U would still need after market hyd roller lifters for the pre '87 block as the lifter bores are to short. But the GM performance cams are not as "aggressive" as the aftermarket cams and leave some power on the table for the same range of duration/lift.
Give summit a call first.
Other than that the pre '87 blocks cannot use the post '87 OEM hyd roller lifters - bore castings are to short. And there are GM hyd roller cams with a "stepped nose" and without. But if the OEM hyd roller has a thrust plate u can cut off the "ears" and use it as a spacer between cam and block. Then use a cam "button" to control cam end play. The only advantage is many GM performance hyd roller cams are much cheaper - nearly half the price - than the aftermaket vendor cams. U would still need after market hyd roller lifters for the pre '87 block as the lifter bores are to short. But the GM performance cams are not as "aggressive" as the aftermarket cams and leave some power on the table for the same range of duration/lift.
Give summit a call first.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 226
From: Cocoa FL
I am working with Summit to exchange it for a flat tappet setup. Not exactly what I wanted, but a roller/lifter cam kit like what I currently have that will work on this old block is twice the price. So I am going to go back to the flat tappet and zinc additive 
But, it will loosen up some funds to use in other areas
Thanks everyone for the input. It's nice to know I can always find a quick answer to my questions - I love this site.
But, it will loosen up some funds to use in other areas
Thanks everyone for the input. It's nice to know I can always find a quick answer to my questions - I love this site.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Summit customer service and return policy is next to none. If they dont fully refund your $$$ then i expect they would accept the parts on exchange basis for different parts.
Other than that the pre '87 blocks cannot use the post '87 OEM hyd roller lifters - bore castings are to short. And there are GM hyd roller cams with a "stepped nose" and without. But if the OEM hyd roller has a thrust plate u can cut off the "ears" and use it as a spacer between cam and block. Then use a cam "button" to control cam end play. The only advantage is many GM performance hyd roller cams are much cheaper - nearly half the price - than the aftermaket vendor cams. U would still need after market hyd roller lifters for the pre '87 block as the lifter bores are to short. But the GM performance cams are not as "aggressive" as the aftermarket cams and leave some power on the table for the same range of duration/lift.
Give summit a call first.
Other than that the pre '87 blocks cannot use the post '87 OEM hyd roller lifters - bore castings are to short. And there are GM hyd roller cams with a "stepped nose" and without. But if the OEM hyd roller has a thrust plate u can cut off the "ears" and use it as a spacer between cam and block. Then use a cam "button" to control cam end play. The only advantage is many GM performance hyd roller cams are much cheaper - nearly half the price - than the aftermaket vendor cams. U would still need after market hyd roller lifters for the pre '87 block as the lifter bores are to short. But the GM performance cams are not as "aggressive" as the aftermarket cams and leave some power on the table for the same range of duration/lift.
Give summit a call first.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 88
From: Easton Pennsylvania
The RMS refers to the engines Rear Main Seal. In the case of 86 and older being a two piece seal, which is what our C-3s came with. And the 87 and up being a one piece rear main seal. There are more differences between the two types of chevy small block but thats just one way of identifiying and refering to them.
