J_Bay

Hi Guys,

I was hoping someone would be able to tell me how to know for sure what cams my motor has. From the numbers on the block and head I've found that it's an 88 Model, and has TBI. I need to order the rebuild kit and so I need to know what type of cams this motor has...EDIT: It's a 350 Chevy!

My mechanic has the heads off, but he's not sure, since he doesn't work on these motors often. What do we need to look at to see if it's a roller cam engine. Would the tappets themselves tell us? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but the parts are expensive in South Africa, being imported, so I need to make sure I order the right stuff!!!

Thanks,

Jared

J_Bay

Ok I did some more research, my intake valley has three little raised studs, wich I believe are for the roller cam spider. But mine are not drilled or tapped, so does that mean it's a flat tappet cam???

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Most likely, yes...

The factory roller cam setup would have the sheet-metal "spider" bolted to those 3 places. There would also be a figure-8 link retaining each pair of lifters.

If it doesn't have that, then it's not a roller.

Truck motors almost never have that, until 1996.

89RESTO

iTrader: (5)

Yes the lifters will tell you the answer. Very simply if the bottom of the lifter is flat it is a flat tappet, If the lifter has a "wheel" or roller on the bottom it is a roller lifter.

myzblubyu

You have a flat tappet... You can convert it to a roller cam, lifters and rockers for a very ggod price. Less friction equates to less friction and more HP... If you need roller parts for the conversion let me know. There was a seller on EBAY selling new LT4 and ZZ4 cams for $150.00, I offered $130.00 with $10.00 shipping and he took it. It was the LT4 hotcam and was brand new.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Since his block has not been machined for roller lifters, it won't end up being a very good price...

J_Bay

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I know about the conversion to roller cams, but to have mount points for the spider drilled and tapped is a bit of an expense, plus this is not going into a car, I'm putting it into an old Series 3 Landrover that we are gonna spray the same green as the Ford Focus RS. I'm thinking that the power it makes after the rebuild plus a good exhaust system will be more than enough for a 4X4.

We're also doing a carb conversion, because getting decent engine maps in South Africa for these motors is not so easy. The Jap motors are the most common when doing after market stuff, because Jap cars are more common here, but there are a fair number of us that still love the sound of a angry V8!!

I'd make a thread of the build so far, but I doubt a Land Rover will fit in very well on a F - Body site, lol!!