Old Block, New Heads

snkmug · 03-22-2002, 12:23 AM

I have a non roller cam block that I want to use stock 87-93 roller cam heads on, what pushrods do I need and how about the rockers? I will have the valve relief forged pistons installed, and have heard about a roller cam conversion you can buy, how does this work? the lifter hold down tray would have no place to screw down unless to drill and tap some holes?

RoadWarrior · 03-22-2002, 02:23 PM

The way that the conversion works is as follows. the reason that you would normally need the spider to hold them all in place is so they dont rotate (the wrong way) and screw things up. The conversion rollers are simply joined together in pairs with a connecting rod. this way they can both stay properly aligned and function properly. I was looking into doing this but i couldnt afford it at the time.

mean81GT · 03-22-2002, 02:56 PM

we jjust did this on my friend's 351, but it also applies to the 302 (same lifters even).

the lifter have a flat piece of metal attached to two lifters, and they are hinged, so that the two lifters can work independently, but are held together to prevent twisting.

mean81GT · 03-22-2002, 02:59 PM

oh, and when you buy a camshaft, yopu have to buy one specified for blocks not originally equipped with roller cam. not sure what was different in the blocks, but a regular roller cam allegedly won't work. never tried it personally, but when 15 people tell me it won't work, i am not going to buy one and try it, just in case they're wrong...ya know

scott9050 · 03-23-2002, 07:16 AM

There is also a conversion set of lifters that does not require a spider or retainers. I forget who sells it but it is a good alternative.

03-22-2002, 12:23 AM	#1
snkmug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Hatteras,NC,USA Posts: 108	Old Block, New Heads I have a non roller cam block that I want to use stock 87-93 roller cam heads on, what pushrods do I need and how about the rockers? I will have the valve relief forged pistons installed, and have heard about a roller cam conversion you can buy, how does this work? the lifter hold down tray would have no place to screw down unless to drill and tap some holes? __________________ 86 GT, March Pulleys, Off Road H-Pipe, Ultraflow/Mac Tailpipes, 3.73 gears/ AOD to T-5 Conversion/ Motorsport Wires/ Trick Flow Heads BBK headers/ F Cam/ Forged TRWS/ Cobra Intake Mass Air conversion, Bored .40 /1.6 Motorsport rockers

03-22-2002, 02:56 PM	#3
mean81GT Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NY Posts: 299	we jjust did this on my friend's 351, but it also applies to the 302 (same lifters even). the lifter have a flat piece of metal attached to two lifters, and they are hinged, so that the two lifters can work independently, but are held together to prevent twisting. __________________ I'm a glutton for punishment.

03-22-2002, 02:59 PM	#4
mean81GT Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NY Posts: 299	oh, and when you buy a camshaft, yopu have to buy one specified for blocks not originally equipped with roller cam. not sure what was different in the blocks, but a regular roller cam allegedly won't work. never tried it personally, but when 15 people tell me it won't work, i am not going to buy one and try it, just in case they're wrong...ya know __________________ I'm a glutton for punishment.

03-23-2002, 07:16 AM	#5
scott9050 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 102	There is also a conversion set of lifters that does not require a spider or retainers. I forget who sells it but it is a good alternative. __________________ 1990 5.0 lx aod best 1/4: 13.65 at 104.57 on bad shortblock

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03-22-2002, 02:23 PM	#2
RoadWarrior Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Edmonton,Alberta,Canada Posts: 317	The way that the conversion works is as follows. the reason that you would normally need the spider to hold them all in place is so they dont rotate (the wrong way) and screw things up. The conversion rollers are simply joined together in pairs with a connecting rod. this way they can both stay properly aligned and function properly. I was looking into doing this but i couldnt afford it at the time.