Roller Block or not?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Point Pleasant, NJ
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Chevy Stepside
Engine: 350 TBI w/ a Cam
Transmission: 3 Speed Stick w/ granny low
Roller Block or not?
I'm gonna go look at an 88 truck block. Its advertised as 1 piece RMS. I know thats borderline for 1 piece seal /roller blocks. How can I tell by just looking at the block?
#3
Moderator
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Littleton, CO USA
Posts: 43,169
Likes: 0
Received 35 Likes
on
34 Posts
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: LS1/LQ4
Transmission: 4L60E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
If the back end of the crankshaft is round, it's one-piece rear main seal.
'88 isn't borderline for one-piece rear main seal since it started in 1986. On the other hand, being one-piece rear main seal doesn't mean it's a roller block.
Most truck engines were not equipped with roller lifters. Many were machined for the roller lifter hardware, but still had typical old-style flat tappet lifters. For that, look for some nubs cast into the lifter valley on top of the center oil galley - if they are machined flat and drilled/tapped, the tops of the lifter bores, and the front of the block by the front cam bearing is machined drilled & tapped, it's a roller-ready block.
'88 isn't borderline for one-piece rear main seal since it started in 1986. On the other hand, being one-piece rear main seal doesn't mean it's a roller block.
Most truck engines were not equipped with roller lifters. Many were machined for the roller lifter hardware, but still had typical old-style flat tappet lifters. For that, look for some nubs cast into the lifter valley on top of the center oil galley - if they are machined flat and drilled/tapped, the tops of the lifter bores, and the front of the block by the front cam bearing is machined drilled & tapped, it's a roller-ready block.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Point Pleasant, NJ
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Chevy Stepside
Engine: 350 TBI w/ a Cam
Transmission: 3 Speed Stick w/ granny low
Re: Roller Block or not?
Have any pictures to offer? I'm just getting my feet wet all over again into motors. Been stuck on alot of axles/suspension with working on trucks for the last 2 years.
So if the lifter bore in the block is tapped (as in threaded?) at the top its a roller block?
So if the lifter bore in the block is tapped (as in threaded?) at the top its a roller block?
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Point Pleasant, NJ
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Chevy Stepside
Engine: 350 TBI w/ a Cam
Transmission: 3 Speed Stick w/ granny low
Re: Roller Block or not?
I have the block cast number does that help at all?
#6
Moderator
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Littleton, CO USA
Posts: 43,169
Likes: 0
Received 35 Likes
on
34 Posts
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: LS1/LQ4
Transmission: 4L60E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Block casting # will tell you 350 and 1- or 2-piece rear main seal, that's about it.
Top of the lifter bores machined, tops of the cast-in nubs in the center of the lifter valley machined and drilled/tapped.
Top of the lifter bores machined, tops of the cast-in nubs in the center of the lifter valley machined and drilled/tapped.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Point Pleasant, NJ
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Chevy Stepside
Engine: 350 TBI w/ a Cam
Transmission: 3 Speed Stick w/ granny low
Re: Roller Block or not?
Ok so the big thing I am looking for is drilled and tapped holes in the valley?
Thanks for the help its been a while since I've seen the inside of a motor. Thats why I want to build this one.
Thanks for the help its been a while since I've seen the inside of a motor. Thats why I want to build this one.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
UltRoadWarrior9
Tech / General Engine
336
04-28-2020 10:39 PM
RyanJB
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
0
09-14-2015 03:39 PM