conversion 86 block to roller
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Palmdale Ca
conversion 86 block to roller
I have bought a roller cam from comp, now for the harder part, how do i convert my block to roller without aftermarket rollers? , I am told it is not that diffacult to use factory parts with this motor , but i need a little advice on how to do it, any sugestions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 36
From: Livermore Ca
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Thing I discovered while buliding my 400 stroker
I ve heard that you can use the V6 rollers lifter.
Then you will need diffent length push rods.
Is the cam a small circle base cam?
I'm sure other people will chime in....
I ve heard that you can use the V6 rollers lifter.
Then you will need diffent length push rods.
Is the cam a small circle base cam?
I'm sure other people will chime in....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland fl
I am about to do it. The parts are difficult to find. The lifters need to be from a V-6 chevy, and only the SEFI V-6 has a roller cam setup. I searched the V-6 forums like 60 degree v-6 something.com and a j-body.com site. They are the ones hopping up these motors so I figured they would be the ones with cheap spare parts. I know the figure eights dont clear the valley walls on a 283 block I tried them on, I head they interfere on 350's as well but I havent tried. The figure eight's and spider are easy to find on EBAY. The block must be drilled and tapped to retain the spider- which iis help to the valley with three bolts. Drilling and tapping these will probably require a complete teardown to thoroughly clean the block of debris. The holes go right into a main oil galley. I have not measured push rod length but I heard that 351 Ford pushrods are the correct length off the shelf. I hope this helps.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 19
For the price difference between the new retro fit stuff and the new oem parts I cant see the savings in the conversion. If you were reusing known good used parts I can see it being worth the effort. If anyone follows through on this I woud be interested in the results.After spending $700 on cam,lifters and pushrods, I would like to know a cheaper way to do it next time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 19
From: Portland Oregon
If you need a set of V6 roller lifters I may have a brand new set. The ones I have are for a 3.2L or something like that. Do your research then get the GM Part number and get back to me. If they are the ones you need I can sell them to you at dealer cost!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 552
Likes: 13
From: Oz
Ok, here are the part nos. and prices from when i did this 6 months ago:
17120070 LIFTER x 16 @ $12.56 = $200.93
12550002 GUIDE x 8 @$2.50 = $19.96
14101116 RETAINER x 1@$8.42 = $8.42
This is something you could only do as a part of a complete teardown/rebuilt, as there is quite a bit of grinding to do around the tops of the lifter bores to accommodate the guides.
The lifters are not difficult to obtain, I got mine via mail order from P&G Chevy.
You will also need to install a thrust button on the front of the cam and set up the end float to somewhere between 0.002 and 0.008" .
A rigid timing cover is also required, I used an alloy one.
I have pics of my valley with all this stuff installed, i could find them and post them if you are interested.. Its a pretty straightforward job, and works like a charm.
Oh, the base circle size of the cam is also important so that the lifters don't sit too low in the guides.. I have notes somewhere with all the measurements I took..
Ben.
17120070 LIFTER x 16 @ $12.56 = $200.93
12550002 GUIDE x 8 @$2.50 = $19.96
14101116 RETAINER x 1@$8.42 = $8.42
This is something you could only do as a part of a complete teardown/rebuilt, as there is quite a bit of grinding to do around the tops of the lifter bores to accommodate the guides.
The lifters are not difficult to obtain, I got mine via mail order from P&G Chevy.
You will also need to install a thrust button on the front of the cam and set up the end float to somewhere between 0.002 and 0.008" .
A rigid timing cover is also required, I used an alloy one.
I have pics of my valley with all this stuff installed, i could find them and post them if you are interested.. Its a pretty straightforward job, and works like a charm.
Oh, the base circle size of the cam is also important so that the lifters don't sit too low in the guides.. I have notes somewhere with all the measurements I took..
Ben.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Palmdale Ca
Originally Posted by ben73
Ok, here are the part nos. and prices from when i did this 6 months ago:
17120070 LIFTER x 16 @ $12.56 = $200.93
12550002 GUIDE x 8 @$2.50 = $19.96
14101116 RETAINER x 1@$8.42 = $8.42
This is something you could only do as a part of a complete teardown/rebuilt, as there is quite a bit of grinding to do around the tops of the lifter bores to accommodate the guides.
The lifters are not difficult to obtain, I got mine via mail order from P&G Chevy.
You will also need to install a thrust button on the front of the cam and set up the end float to somewhere between 0.002 and 0.008" .
A rigid timing cover is also required, I used an alloy one.
I have pics of my valley with all this stuff installed, i could find them and post them if you are interested.. Its a pretty straightforward job, and works like a charm.
Oh, the base circle size of the cam is also important so that the lifters don't sit too low in the guides.. I have notes somewhere with all the measurements I took..
Ben.
17120070 LIFTER x 16 @ $12.56 = $200.93
12550002 GUIDE x 8 @$2.50 = $19.96
14101116 RETAINER x 1@$8.42 = $8.42
This is something you could only do as a part of a complete teardown/rebuilt, as there is quite a bit of grinding to do around the tops of the lifter bores to accommodate the guides.
The lifters are not difficult to obtain, I got mine via mail order from P&G Chevy.
You will also need to install a thrust button on the front of the cam and set up the end float to somewhere between 0.002 and 0.008" .
A rigid timing cover is also required, I used an alloy one.
I have pics of my valley with all this stuff installed, i could find them and post them if you are interested.. Its a pretty straightforward job, and works like a charm.
Oh, the base circle size of the cam is also important so that the lifters don't sit too low in the guides.. I have notes somewhere with all the measurements I took..
Ben.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Palmdale Ca
Roller lifters
Originally Posted by tjwong
If you need a set of V6 roller lifters I may have a brand new set. The ones I have are for a 3.2L or something like that. Do your research then get the GM Part number and get back to me. If they are the ones you need I can sell them to you at dealer cost!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland fl
COMP- if by saying " all the parts from a roller block" you mean including the factory V8 roller lifters- they wont work. Otherwise the spider and figure 8 things will work. Toss the front mounted cam retainer- you cant use it without machine work. Grind the block for clearance around the figure 8's when theyre placed on the lifters. The spider must have three bolt holes tapped into the center of the valley- right into an oil galley so be carefull. Thats all. Somewhere there is a link to some pics of all this but I dont have it anymore.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Originally Posted by SBNova
COMP- if by saying " all the parts from a roller block" you mean including the factory V8 roller lifters- they wont work. Otherwise the spider and figure 8 things will work. Toss the front mounted cam retainer- you cant use it without machine work. Grind the block for clearance around the figure 8's when theyre placed on the lifters. The spider must have three bolt holes tapped into the center of the valley- right into an oil galley so be carefull. Thats all. Somewhere there is a link to some pics of all this but I dont have it anymore.
i thought i could grind clearance and use the V8 rollers