roller cam small block id

[zeebo]

hi there..have an 88 9c1 caprice with the 350 4bbl. wondering how i can tell if its a factory roller cammed motor...? and, whats the story about when chevy started doing roller cammed engines? did they do any 305 roller motors during this time? thanks!

[rabidmadman]

1987 and up are all roller cam motors. 1986 and under are flat tapped cam motors. That is a fact that I've found from several resources. So if you are looking to use parts from a 305, you want an '87 or up for your 9c1.

[Jim_Rockford]

unless its in a truck, the truck engines after 86 till 96 used a roller block, but kept the flat tappet cam, you can use the block for a roller cam, you just need the hardware for it.

[169 mph]

not all 87 and newer blocks are set up for roller cams you have to look for the three bolt bosses and machined pads for the lifter retainers . and yes they did make 305 roller cammed engines and blocks. i have several late 350 blocks from the mid 90 s that are not set up or even cast for rollers

[rabidmadman]

Good to know, sorry for the misinformation.

[Jim_Rockford]

I know in 86 they went to the 1 piece rear main seal and didn't cast em for roller bosses but those are the only years I have seen.

[169 mph]

i have 2 91 and 1 95 blocks that are not cast for rollers.the gm replacement enging in my 95 tahoe isnt cast to accept rollers. it was bought in 06. they still to this day make them both ways. a lot of the truck blocks wernt cast for rollers, you have to look to verify it is or isnt. all vortec blocks are roller but dont have the bypass hole for the waterpump.you have to look for the three bosses for the retainer plate ,the machined pads for the lifter guides and the cam retainer plate mounting holes

[Jim_Rockford]

I've seen alot of blocks and I have never seen any post 86 cast blocks that didn't have the post in the lifter valley cast in em, some where not tapped for the spider, but the bosses where there.

[169 mph]

not to be a smart a-- but how many do you want to see? trust me they made a lot that arnt even cast with the towers or the taller lifter bores for the roller lifters nor the cam plate bosses either. there were a lot that were roller capable but not equipted ,and a lot that were like the 86 blocks without any of the roller castings all the way up to 95 when they redesigned the blocks for the vortec truck engines. the low performance crate engines are flat tappet blocks as well.i personally scrapped several 92/93 350 blocks because they wernt roller blocks

[zeebo]

been doing a little research..looks like for the 350, 1987 was the year they got roller cams in cars. and casting numbers are 10243880,14011148,14088526 and 14093638. the 638 block has provisions for mechanical fuel pumps, as 1987 and 1988 9C1's were 4bbls. 1989 saw the 350 TBI motor debut.

i cant answer about truck engines, F-bodies, or 305 motors when they got roller cams..anyone??