just wondering what year gm made factory roller cam motors and what they were in and how to tell with out taking the motor apart?

 

Early 80s in the Vettes, mid & late 80s in everything else.

Quickest way to see at a quick glance, would be by the valve covers on the engine. Perimeter bolts = non-roller engine. Center bolts = roller engine.

 

so all center bolt valve covers were roller motors?350 and 305?

 

Untouched & from the factory, yes.

Although technically, the heads don't determine the type of cam.

A rebuilt engine could go either way. And there are adapters to put perimeter bolt valve on a center bolt head.

 

nope that is not right some center bolt valve cover blocks that are in trucks are not roller cam motors

 

I think I confused the term "roller" with "hydraulic".

On that note...I'm not sure ANY factory engine (i know zero about LSx though) got roller lifters.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/1987-chevy-camaro

In 1987, the 215hp 305 TPI motor returned on the newly available 5 spd / 305 TPI combination only. Torque was rated now at 295, up from 275 in 1985. Automatic 305 TPI's still got the weaker cam and 190hp rating. All 5 spd 305 TPI '87 Camaros came with the better cam (25hp advantage) until 1990 when G92 HAD to be specified to get the better cam in the 5 spd 305 TPI. Roller lifters and new valve cover/head design on V8 Camaros. Valve covers featured new sealing and mounting through center of cover.

 

1987 was the first year for the factory roller lifters, although they did not use them on everything. Of the ones that did not some have the provisions for the parts to be installed, and some I heard dont even have those. Those are mostly truck applications. Sure way to know is pull the intake.

I guess if you were adventurous with a flashlight and a valve cover off, you could see the guide bars for the lifters.

 

Dont want to get into trivia here, but you shouldn't say 1987 was the first year GM used roller lifters. My 1918 Buick model E-49 with a jughead 6 has roller lifters. It has overhead valves and the head is not removable so the valve cages come out the top.

I know that's not relevant to modern engines so carry on. But Buick had roller lifters over 100 years ago, if you don't believe me I have the shop manual.

 

The only thing here besides your comments that isn't relevant is this ENTIRE thread from 9 years ago. You dug up a zombie thread. Great job.

 

Yeah but now everybody is going to read it and say, wow.......roller lifters in 1918? Really? And then I will be the hero know-it-all and win the prize.