Ok I got a TBi truck motor and someone told me if it has provisions for the spider that holds the roller lifters inplace then i can just swap the lifters and spider from my L98 and a raller cam Will slide right in...

Well I got the intake off now and I dont think it has a place for the spider to bolt to. It does have 2 small indentions in the very center of the lifter vally were the spider would bolt down.
How can I tell? Should the holes already be drilled and tapped if it was roller ready?

thanks

 

If it is a roller motor, the block should already be drilled and tapped for the spider. Also, on a roller block, the lifter bores are teller than on an old style flat tappet block. What year is the motor you have?

 

Should have two raised bosses for it to bolt to. Mine was already tapped. I don't know if they all are.

 

I guess its not a roller block then.... that sucks... Will it make that much differance in power? Im gonan do a cam swap anyways but no way im speding $400 on retro lifters

 

also how do i tell what year it is?

 

Roller block has top of lifter bosses machined for dogbones
Std doesn't

 

The block # casting on the back of the block behind drv side head will ballpark the year(s).
Any numbers stamped on the block pad at front will tell exactly what it is

 

There are several benefits of going with a roller cam. You will just have to weigh the benefits vs. the cost of swapping. A flat tappet cam will be cheaper. But they also require proper break in, correct oil, etc.

Rollers dont require break in, they are not near as sensitive to what oil you use (zinc content, not viscosity), and yes they can make more power depending on the rest of the engine combo.

What are you trying to achieve? I have one of both in my 2 toys. And I will say that the next motor I build, Im going roller.

 

this is just a temporary motor untill my wife gets done with school.
I just want a lopey idle so i went ahead and order the comp Thumpr cam 279 The smallest one. Lift is .479 so I hope my 981 springs will work with that I know it will be close with stock L98 heads.
Im not looking for speed right now just dont wanna have LESS power than stock L98.

Ill be running a quadrajet on this motor with stock l98 heads (except springs) and a crappy cast Iron manifold untill i can find a cheap aluminum single plane.
Car has 700r4 and 3.27 gears stock converter for now and stock manfolds till i find a good used set of shorty headers.
Only reson im doing the cam now is because The motor is already out and on the stand and Will be much easier.

 

I've seen roller casting blocks from trucks both machined and ready to go, and unmachined/undrilled/untapped. I assume they would not machine them if they knew they were going into a truck, and used machined blocks if they needed to get more truck engines out and didn't have unmachined blocks ready to go.

Why do you want a single plane intake for a q-jet? I have a cheap aluminum dual plane if you're interested (stock LG4/L69, pay for shipping its yours). A GMPP ZZ4 will be available shortly, but that'll cost you more than shipping.

 

A dual plane would work too I just like the single plane look but now after reading it probly wont perform as well.
I already have the Q jet so thats the only reson im using it.
Dont really want a 305 intake, Thanks alot though

 

cam should be here today. I hope it fits!!!!