My question is this. Can I use a Hot cam in a non roller block with retro fit roller lifters?

I don't think I can because don't know for sure.

Thanks.

Jason

 

Yes but you need a cam button to hold the cam in and a roller cam timing gear because the cam bolt pattern is smaller on the roller cams

Check this out
http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merc...egory_Code=C30

This 3rd Gen member installed studs in the front of his block to use the stock style cam retainer
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...0-post104.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...8-post107.html

Some have converted their blocks to use the late model hardware
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...ck-accept.html

 

Sweet. Thank you for the reply.

 

Check into this a little deeper. There's something different about the dowel pin lengths and maybe some other issues.

I just don't want you to run into any surprises.

Jake

 

Yea the dowel is longer but you should be able to take it to a grinder and make it shorter other then that and the timing chain and cam button you should be good to go, here is something for yea i no that summit racing sells a cloyes timing chain cover that comes with a built in cam button adjustable so that might be something you wanna look into

 

How do you know if your engine is a roller or not.

 

You also need a factory cam retaining plate that you cut the "ears" off of and continue to use as a spacer. You also have to use a factory-style roller cam timing chain (an old flat tappet chain set won't bolt to a factory roller cam). PLUS the afore-mentioned aftermarket roller lifters and cam button.

 

Ahh yes... I went through this last year. My 90 block didn't have any of the threaded holes for factory roller stuff, just the blank bosses. Used a set of retrofit roller lifters, LT1 camshaft plus the LT1's camshaft retaining plate and picked up a timing chain set for a 92 Camaro with factory roller setup. Drilled and tapped the block, very carefully, for the retaining plate and assembled as normal. Didn't need to use a cam button doing it that way.

 

I appreciate the reponses. The only reason I ask is I am throwing together a budget 383 w/ parts I have laying around w/ vortec heads. I have a LT4 hotcam and a retro fit roller 288. I thought the 288 would be to big but after reading a 50 page thread on nasty28.com I think I am going to try it.

It is interesting to see what people are doing to get around this issue though.