351W roller conversion
 

Let me make sure I have this correct, ok? I want to build a 351W (prolly early 70's block) with a roller cam & lifters, so I can either:

1. Use stock 5.0 roller lifters, spider, dog bones, and a smaller base-circle cam, or

2. Get Crane Cams' shorter roller lifters in their kit, and use a regular 5.0 roller cam.

.....so do I have that right? What all is included in CompCams' and FordRacing's kits, since they're only about $60, and Crane's is about $400? Help me if I'm off on this, I've reviewed about 30 different articles on this subject, and it seems that each one has an entirely different take on how you do it. I wanna do it right, so cost is of no concern to me. Having a strong block with a roller cam and correct geometry is however. :)

Use stock 5.0 roller lifters, spider, dog bones, whatever roller cam you want (personally I'd go with a custom grind), and make sure you have the correct lenth pushrods. That's what we do on the Lightnings usually. We're all flat tappet stock.

Capri- I ahve been looking into doing a 408 or 416 in the future, and you have your facts right.

The small base circle cams really aren't good over 6000rpm from what I have been told, so I am getting the Crane Reo-fit lifters and run a Standard size roller cam. They switch deck heights in the early 70's 74 I believe has a 9.5 instead of 9.2, make sure your pistons and rods are for the right block. The 69 and 70 blocks are the strongest and were cast with the same nickel content.

If you are looking into a stroker give Brian Adams a call or e-mail, he gave me great pricing on a SCAT 408 kit, and he will answer any questions you have, nice guy.

Brian Adams- scatstroker@hotmail.com or 425-941-2267

Since you're on the topic of roller conversions, I have a question. What's the difference in an HO 302 with a roller cam, and a Non-HO 302 with a flat tappet cam, other than the tapped threads for the spider. Are the slots for the lifters taller with the HO's. I didn't know of the question on the shorter lifter need was because you're doing a 351, or if that was a roller conversion question. I had a friend ask me the difference the other day, and I wasn't sure what to tell him.

Dave

Thanks for the help, guys. I really appreciate it! :) I've found the Crane kit for $391.95 @ Summit, but I'm going to keep looking.

Rick 91GT: thanks for that info! I'll be sure to email Brian about this very subject and about a good stroker kit.

D&R Stang: you're right that the roller lifters are taller than their flat couterparts. That's the reason you can't just whip 5.0 rollers into a non-roller block and call it done. The short roller conversion lifters that Crane makes are the same overall length as the flat lifters, so they won't extend too far past the bore. The ramps of the cam's profile are much different as well between the two.