what type of cam did the l98 come with from 1986? i was reading about the engine and all it says is that in 87 they switched to a hydraulic roller so what cam was in the 86? was it a Mechanical Roller ?

 

There was no L98 in 86.... at least for F-bodies.

And that was the year they started switching over from hydraulic flat tappet camshafts to hydraulic roller tappet camshafts.

 

The f-bodies got a very small flat-tappet camshaft.
the non-roller blocks can be converted for a roller cam, but it's not the cheapest thing to do.

 

Correct - No L98 in 1986. Also, they didn't START changing to rollers in 1986. All 1986 models with a few rare exceptions got the flat tappet "LA" cam. My '86 was built in late July in Van Nuys and has the "LA" cam (Lame-Azz).

It is rumored that a few rare '86 test mules got the '87 M.Y. design roller block, and some with the L98, but I've never actually seen one documented.

 

That's what I meant, I wasnt very clear though.

However... what about the Corvettes? When did they get roller cams?

 

According to records the vettes got the roller cams in 1987 as well.
Judging from previous experiences, it is possible that a few managed to get out there in late 1986 models, and of course any dealer-replacement engines (warranty stuff) would create some 1986 models with roller cam engines.

Only one way to know for sure what you've got!

 

yeah the junk yard by my house clames that the 86 camaro they have is a 350 tpi but i dont think it is the 8th vin is an f so what motor would that be?

 

Look on the driver-side rear of the block on the mounting flange for the transmission and it will say either 5.0 or 5.7
then you will know.

 

If it's an 86 with a 350 TPI you likely have an engine transplant situation. They were all 305 (5.0L) engines except for maybe a few extremely rare ones you're never likely to find for sale at a junkyard.