I just bought a 350 chevy engine block that has just been machined .030 over This is a late style block with the one piece rear main seal it also has the place to bolt the guide retainer in the block for roller lifters. My question is do i need to put roller lifters and a roller lifter cam assy. in this block or can i use conventional lifters and cam (Flat tappet) in this block because the cost for a roller lifter set up is more than my budget at this time.

 

Yes but save your money for a roller. Look on ebay you can find the factorystuff really cheap. Might want to look into a LT1 cam for about $50.

 

If it boils down to it, i have a complete roller assembly (hardware) out of a '96 Vortec. Same lifters. Also have the spider, dogbone retainers, and cam retainer plate. I have the bolts in a bucket....with all the other bolts from the Camaro. Just another option. But yes, do save for a roller, they are far better than the flats, IMO. However, that is, all prices aside.

 

Roller is better but flat will still get it done. Yes you can run a flat-tappet cam in your late model block...but you need longer pushrods because the lifter is shorter.

 

Very true.

Let's see.... $300 for a "replacement" roller cam (more if you don't have the lifters) or $150 for a flat tappet w/ lifters, and you'll gain ~20 HP???

I'd rather spend that $150+ toward a better set of heads, thank you very much.

 

Thats why you get a LT1 cam for $50. And some cheap roller lifters off ebay. You could get a far superior roller setup for $150.

 

Look on the CamaroZ28.com forums. I picked up my LT1 cam for $40 shipped, and there were 2 or 3 other offers for the same price in that thread that I posted my request in.

 

"Far superior"???

 

Not too sure how "far superior" the bastardized "factory roller" setup is...

Mot,

What is it you want to get out of the engine?

 

Far superior to a flat-tappet cam. Even if the design is crappy it is still better then metal on metal friction and crappy lobes of a flat-tappet cam.

 

Stekman I really just want to get the car back running again but i want to do it the right way with the right parts in the engine and if it takes a roller cam set up to do that then that is the way i need to go. I just dont like the cost of the roller set up because for the longest time engines have been running with flat tappet cams and i just dont see spending that much for a roller set up that is unless someone were to offer me a really good deal on a roller set up.

 

ME Leigh I have looked all over the web but i cant seem to find the cam and rollers that you are talking about can you send me some links to those web sites please.

 

Here is a good mild street hi perf hyd roller cam.
Right out of the Competition products catalog.

the OEM hyd roller lifters are not that expensive you can get good used ones from the wreckers. Get the pushrods and spider too.

 

Also one of the good things about roller cams and lifters is that they don't wear out, so you can even reuse used parts without a problem. Also look on ebay there are tons of roller parts on there for cheap.

 

Lol..did anybody read that part?

And no, you dont HAVE to use a roller setup for it to be done right...it is just the better way to do it.