I have a 1970 four bolt 350 block that I am going to build a nice 355 or 383 with. Can I use a "normal" roller cam, or do I ave to use a "retrofit" roller? What is the difference between the two? Would there be a real benefit using a roller over a flat tappet?

THANKS!
Mark

 

guess it depends on what you call normal. to me the 70 block would use the normal roller cam not the piece gm tried to reinvent.

 

You would have to use the retrofit rollercam kit. Being a '70 350 it is not machined for lifter bars and the lifter retainer. Also, the front of the block is not machined for the retainer plate. The GM roller cams have a step on the nose of the cam where the retainer plate goes eliminating the need for a cam button.:rockon:

 

So, that means I would have to use the comp cams "retrofit" that costs $851 for the cam and lifter kit. That's alot of cash! I don't know that it would be worth it in terms of power per dollar over a flat tappet cam. Do you?

Mark

 

doesn't sound much differant than the gm designed piece, but it's been near 2 years since i bought any gm parts

 

FYI, that kit is only ~$673 from Summit:

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...422-8&x=18&y=9

 

I'd just go with a solid cam and spend that $600-800 on something that'll actually be worth it. The dollar-to-power ratio seems far off in my opinion