Hey, just a simple question...

I have a 350 (L48 i think) that i pulled out of a '79 Z28, rebuilt and put in my '83 a few months ago, and plan on a bunch of modifications for summer. One of them is a new cam.

Here is the question: Can i put a roller cam into this engine, which currently has regular hydraulic lifters? If so, what will i need other than the cam, lifters and pushrods?

Thanks in advance.

 

sure can just get an aftermarket roller set up like hot rodders have been doing years before gm came out with their roller cam

 

Cool, thanks man... i was pretty sure i could use them, but some people had been telling me i would need stuff to keep the lifters from moving left and right on the cam lobes (wtf?!)

Just wanted to be sure

oh.. can i use the pushrods i already have or do i need new ones?

 

You do need a cam button to keep the cam from walking back and forth if you are going to a roller setup. You need to keep the cam end play around .005 to .008. Also, you may need a bronze distributor gear depending on what the cam gear on the cam shaft is made of. Try to get a cam that has an iron cam gear on it to avoid using a bronze distributor gear on the street.

 

Sounds cool to me.. thanks BJM

 

Im planning the same thing for my SBC 400. Please be aware that you will need the Retro-fit package. That require special lifters and has been back ordered for a while. Changing from a hydraulic to roller setup will cost about $700.
Here is some good information to read about Roller Cams Conversion:

http://www.idavette.net/hib/camcon.htm

 

Thanks for the warning DTL... I'm glad you told me that... by what could possibly be there that costs $700?!

 

Lifters......The lifters cannot rotate at all. If they do, your screwed. But, the retro's have a bar that attaches them so they cannot move.