Thinking about converting to a factory roller cam setup? Think again.

[stock50LX]

Be ready to pay double for a cam because you will need a small base circle grind, then be ready to have the new cam reground because the lifters contact the dog bones, pushing them up at the top of the lift rotation. Have a dial indicator ready so the cam grinders know how much to remove. Be prepared to use a die grinder on the dog bones when they don't lie flat between the lifters due to irregular block casting. Be careful when you drill and tap the block for the spider, you could break-off the tap. You will need to have new cam bearings installed either way. Wince as you tighten the bolts that hold down the spider as you worry about driving them through the new cam bearings. Have an adjustable pushrod ready so you can find the new pushrod length. The distributor gear must be changed to a steel one, so be ready to take it back to the machine shop when they install the gear too high or too low on the distributor shaft. Be ready to degree-in your cam several times before and after the regrind. Did I leave anything out?

I haven't even addressed what you need to do to get a windage tray to fit in a foxbody oil pan...

Think about just buying aftermarket roller lifters...

Yeah, Al. I had to take the cam out to have .035 removed from all the lobes. I'm still looking for that elusive 106* centeriline... 107* looks good at this point. I've rotated this engine by hand to such an extent, the rings are probably already seated.

 

[Mustang78]

thats rediculous, hope it runs good!

 

[MyFordsFly]

Sounds like you fought a few things a bit but that just about sums it up. After you do a couple it does get a little easier but I doubt that makes you feel any better.

 

[stock50LX]

Sounds like you fought a few things a bit but that just about sums it up. After you do a couple it does get a little easier but I doubt that makes you feel any better.

I was trying to forewarn people about this task. Start early and expect delays.

Spent an entire day on the phone and dropping off, fitting, and picking up parts that had to be re-pressed, reground, again! I gained valuable repetition degreeing cams though...

Experience means a lot! The machinist should have done a better job, but the cam was no one's fault; it was just part of a process that had be completed. I consider myself fortunate to have Delta Cams nearby. They were great! Without them I would have had to send the cam back to Comp Cams. It's good to buy locally when possible. Now I can get this thing together this week instead of having it as garage furniture for another month.

 

[stock50LX]

thats rediculous, hope it runs good!

So do I.

 

[lamrith]

I will second the thumbs up for Delta Cam's. Not done the roller conversion, but on more than one occaision they have bailed me out and Jerry always tells you the situation straight up, no games or voodoo talk to make you buy something.

 

[MyFordsFly]

I was trying to forewarn people about this task. Start early and expect delays.

Spent an entire day on the phone and dropping off, fitting, and picking up parts that had to be re-pressed, reground, again! I gained valuable repetition degreeing cams though...

Experience means a lot! The machinist should have done a better job, but the cam was no one's fault; it was just part of a process that had be completed. I consider myself fortunate to have Delta Cams nearby. They were great! Without them I would have had to send the cam back to Comp Cams. It's good to buy locally when possible. Now I can get this thing together this week instead of having it as garage furniture for another month.

I wasnt implying you did anything wrong. Just that after a couple of times its less of a struggle. Glad you got it all worked out and hopefully you see some healthy benefits from it. Ive used Delta quite a few times, great place to deal with.

 

[WaterPog]

So, did you end up saving anything over the aftermarket lifters in the end?

My guess is that it would have been cheaper to do it that way in the beginning, even w/o taking your time into account.

 

[Mustang78]

hey stock50lx, do you know if that guy is still selling the front drag lites i never bought? i think his name was paul..

 

[TheRedBlur]

bitter? lol. man, if we got in touch earlier, I have some retrofit roller lifters (link bar) that I have sitting around in some oil. I think I have a full set plus an extra pair.

 

[stock50LX]

So, did you end up saving anything over the aftermarket lifters in the end?

My guess is that it would have been cheaper to do it that way in the beginning, even w/o taking your time into account.

It was still cheaper using the factory stuff, since I already owned the parts. The cam was more, but many of the other expenses would have occurred with the aftermarket lifters too: new pushrods, buying and pressing on the steel gear. Nevertheless, I would have purchased aftermarket ones had I known then what I do now.

 

[stock50LX]

hey stock50lx, do you know if that guy is still selling the front drag lites i never bought? i think his name was paul..

I don't know.

 

[352Ford2]

From everything i have seen in my life, link bar roller lifters and STD base circle cam (of properly matched material/process) are the way to go when doing this conversion. It may cost a few pennies more, but it is much easyer to put together and when you are done you are not stuck with a flexy small diameter cam and all the issues included with that.

my 2 cents

 

[Chung Oh]

Welcome

Welcome to the real world of high performance where direct fit means barely fit and universal means "Forgetaboutit".

 

[white 89 GT]

From everything i have seen in my life, link bar roller lifters and STD base circle cam (of properly matched material/process) are the way to go when doing this conversion. It may cost a few pennies more, but it is much easyer to put together and when you are done you are not stuck with a flexy small diameter cam and all the issues included with that.

my 2 cents

I think small base circle is in reference to the lobe and not the shaft, so it should not flex anymore than a std diameter cam. Your more than welcome to correct me if im wrong.

 

[stock50LX]

I think small base circle is in reference to the lobe and not the shaft, so it should not flex anymore than a std diameter cam. Your more than welcome to correct me if im wrong.

You're right Al: nothing is taken off the shaft. The cam looks much like an LS 1 cam. It's running pretty well too. Those new mufflers make the thing much quieter, my wife can hear me two and 3/4 blocks away now; not three like before.