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swapping roller cam for hydraulic

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Old 05-13-2003, 09:30 PM
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swapping roller cam for hydraulic

Does anyone know what you need to do to convert a 350 block from a roller cam to a hydraulic lifter cam?
Old 05-13-2003, 09:51 PM
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A roller camshaft;

Retrofit roller lifters (with the dog-bone link to prevent spinning);

Shorter push rods;

A new timing set with thrust button in the timing cover;

Gaskets;

Oil;

Coolant;

Tools and time.

You may also need a different (bronze) distributor driven gear to mate with the harder camshaft gear.

I might have forgotten a few incidental items, but that should be most of it.
Old 05-13-2003, 10:18 PM
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Car: Bright Red 91 GTA
Engine: CARBED LT4
Transmission: MK6
from a roller cam
your slackin vader

i had to read it twice..you dont hear of this often

not that he mentions it im kinda curious myself
Old 05-14-2003, 02:02 AM
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Car: yy wife, crazy.
Engine: 350, Vortecs, 650DP
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 8.5", 3.42
Yea... he got it bass ackwards.

To switch to a flat tappet hydraulic (why?) you'd need almost the opposite of what Vader said.

Longer pushrods

Flat tappets

Flat tappet hydraulic cam

New timing chain set for a flat tappet cam (yes there is a difference if replacing a factory roller cam).

Other than that you're good to go. The only other thing would be to make sure the valve springs can handle the extra lift if you're going with a bigger cam. Also, check your spring retainer-to-valve seal clearance.

And always, ALWAYS check your pushrod length. Whenever you switch to a more aggressive cam, the geometry can be off enough to warrant slightly longer or shorter (usually + or - .100") pushrods. The only way to tell for sure is to use an adjustable pushrod while everything is assembled. You can find them at either www.Jegs.com or www.SummitRacing.com
Old 05-14-2003, 05:51 AM
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The reason I want to do this is I am wanting to build that 442 hp vortec motor that was is car craft like a year a ago. If I can get 442 hp ( which is right around my goal) why spend another $250 for a new roller cam when I can get a hydraulic cam and lifters for $100.

Thanks for the responses!

Last edited by BADBIRD009; 05-14-2003 at 05:53 AM.
Old 05-14-2003, 06:01 AM
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Originally posted by BADBIRD009
The reason I want to do this is I am wanting to build that 442 hp vortec motor that was is car craft like a year a ago. If I can get 442 hp ( which is right around my goal) why spend another $250 for a new roller cam when I can get a hydraulic cam and lifters for $100.

Thanks for the responses!
Add a few more bucks for the pushrods, but even if they came for free, the extra $150.00 would be money well spent and most likely give you quite a few more horses.
Remember you cant ever have too much power,
just my thoughts!
Old 05-14-2003, 06:53 AM
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Originally posted by f-crazy
your slackin vader

i had to read it twice..you dont hear of this often

not that he mentions it im kinda curious myself
Yeah, you're right. I must have been in one of those caffine-deficient moments.

Since it's already been covered, never mind.
Old 05-14-2003, 10:30 PM
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Car: Bright Red 91 GTA
Engine: CARBED LT4
Transmission: MK6
*hands you some no-doze*

bet that wont happen again eh?


so it would be about the same price to convert from either or?

ill take my roller thank you..

the only problem is, is buyin a bigger roller cam...$$$....freakin 500 bucks for a roller cam and roller lifters...****in hiway robbery
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