When did chevy make roller blocks?
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When did chevy make roller blocks?
I have a main bearing going out on my LO5. Dad says it is so bad that the block is basically junk. Says its fixable, but might as well get another. When did chevy make roller blocks? I know the tbi roadmasters and vortec trucks are roller blocks. Any others I should know about?
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Re: When did chevy make roller blocks?
Unless you have an exotic or expensive aftermarket block, it's not worth fixing an OEM block that has a spun main bearing. The webbing gets distorted from the heat so it needs to be line honed to make it all true again. The bearing cap also gets distorted from the heat so along with finding a new bearing cap, it would still need a line hone with a cap replacement.
Line honing the block moves the crankshaft slightly higher into the block. This means slightly less piston to valve clearance, shorter timing chain etc.
A damaged OEM block is scrap metal. Cheaper to find another block or engine than it is to repair it. The only time you would spend all the extra money to fix an OEM block is if you needed to maintain a rare numbers matching car. Then you do whatever it takes to keep the OEM parts even if it means spending way more to fix it than to buy replacement parts.
Now if you're like me, I have a $3000 Dart block in my race car. Actually it's my second one. The first one got damaged enough with a crack in the webbing above one of the crank journals that it wasn't repairable but I already had a bunch of previous repairs done to it from engine failures. Cylinder sleeves, line honing, etc. For the cost of a new aftermarket block plus machine shop work, repairs are cheaper until it becomes unrepairable like my first block.
Line honing the block moves the crankshaft slightly higher into the block. This means slightly less piston to valve clearance, shorter timing chain etc.
A damaged OEM block is scrap metal. Cheaper to find another block or engine than it is to repair it. The only time you would spend all the extra money to fix an OEM block is if you needed to maintain a rare numbers matching car. Then you do whatever it takes to keep the OEM parts even if it means spending way more to fix it than to buy replacement parts.
Now if you're like me, I have a $3000 Dart block in my race car. Actually it's my second one. The first one got damaged enough with a crack in the webbing above one of the crank journals that it wasn't repairable but I already had a bunch of previous repairs done to it from engine failures. Cylinder sleeves, line honing, etc. For the cost of a new aftermarket block plus machine shop work, repairs are cheaper until it becomes unrepairable like my first block.
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Re: When did chevy make roller blocks?
87 up pretty much.A few were supposedly used in 86.Most car engines used roller cam from 87 up.Even the L05 truck engines used roller blocks,but,used flat tappet cams until 96.Some were completely machined,others may need some machine work such as drilling/tapping the bosses in the intake valley.#638 & #880 blocks will be roller blocks.
Last edited by jokerZ71; 10-17-2014 at 01:09 PM.
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I have a 93 350 block. I bought it under the assumption it was roller as well. It is not. Doesn't have the provisions. It was a full short block with machine work done for $500. Be sure what you buy Atleast has the provisions such as lifter dog bone retainer humps. Good luck!
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Re: When did chevy make roller blocks?
87 up pretty much.A few were supposedly used in 86.Most car engines used roller cam from 87 up.Even the L05 truck engines used roller blocks,but,used flat tappet cams until 96.Some were completely machined,others may need some machine work such as drilling/tapping the bosses in the intake valley.#627 & #880 blocks will be roller blocks.
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Re: When did chevy make roller blocks?
Yes some did.Some were not completely machined,some were.They had flat tappet cams'but'a lot of the blocks were roller blocks.
Last edited by jokerZ71; 10-15-2014 at 07:43 PM.
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Re: When did chevy make roller blocks?
I have a 93 350 block. I bought it under the assumption it was roller as well. It is not. Doesn't have the provisions. It was a full short block with machine work done for $500. Be sure what you buy Atleast has the provisions such as lifter dog bone retainer humps. Good luck!
Last edited by jokerZ71; 10-15-2014 at 08:17 PM.
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Re: When did chevy make roller blocks?
I have pulled many TBI motors that were roller blocks I even pulled a 305 TBI in a 90-2? Camaro that had a factory roller cam in it.
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Strangely enough it was sold to me by my old shop foreman from his 93 k2500. Iirc the only designation it had was lg57. I'll try to see it tomorrow if possible. I was told tho that up to 95 is a crap shot. Some were equipped and some werent
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Re: When did chevy make roller blocks?
Best bet is to find a #638 block or #880 block.The machining may not be completed but the provisions will be there.I've seen some that had the retainer bosses cast but not drilled.Some that were drilled but not tapped & some complete.
Last edited by jokerZ71; 10-17-2014 at 01:08 PM.
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Re: When did chevy make roller blocks?
Every 1996-2000 L31 vortec engine is roller and pretty easy to find and cheap to get. Used in chevy/gmc trucks, vans, SUVs
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Re: When did chevy make roller blocks?
Every 90s GM truck Vortec motor that I have had the intake off of(and that's a bunch) has been a roller block. I have converted a few of them to roller cam during overhaul by sourcing the dog bones and spider. I think I had to drill and tap one, others were already done.
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Re: When did chevy make roller blocks?
Every 90s GM truck Vortec motor that I have had the intake off of(and that's a bunch) has been a roller block. I have converted a few of them to roller cam during overhaul by sourcing the dog bones and spider. I think I had to drill and tap one, others were already done.
My uncles 94 C1500 had a factory roller cam in it and I have run across numerous 305 and 350 vans and trucks in the wrecking yard with factory roller setups.
Last edited by Fast355; 10-17-2014 at 11:38 AM.
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Re: When did chevy make roller blocks?
I just found one of the blocks I was talking about on Ebay. It is 4727" as the ending of the casting. 87+ block without roller provisions. The full casting number is 10054727, if you run across one it is very likely a non-roller block. I do not believe I have seen one that is a roller with that casting number.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-5-7-350-sbc-Cylinder-block-10054727-/330031359719?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cd766e6e7&vxp=mtr#ht_182wt_1362
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350-CHEVROLET-ENGINE-BLOCK-/171467421859?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27ec4138a3&vxp=mtr#ht_232wt_1124
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-5-7-350-sbc-Cylinder-block-10054727-/330031359719?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cd766e6e7&vxp=mtr#ht_182wt_1362
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350-CHEVROLET-ENGINE-BLOCK-/171467421859?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27ec4138a3&vxp=mtr#ht_232wt_1124
Last edited by Fast355; 10-17-2014 at 11:55 AM.
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Re: When did chevy make roller blocks?
I have one of those (long) blocks, 1 piece seal, no roller cam parts cast in it. Came from a 86 vet and has the 128 aluminum heads on it.
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