small block roller conversion
 

I want to do a roller conversion on my 88 260,what is the cheapest (but safe) way to do this? I want to leave the short block in the boat so i don't want to machine anything.
Will I need new pushrods?

Re: small block roller conversion
 

do you have room to pull the cam out????

in most cases the mtr can be out in about 1-2 hrs

Re: small block roller conversion
 

Yes,it will slide just under the seat,I know if I pull it I will do more than I want to,I also don't feel like alighning everything back up to the drive when i put it back in.

Re: small block roller conversion
 

as long as you unbolt the mounts at the base and dont touch the adjustment nothing should change, but to each there own.....

other then that check out crane cams they have some nice roller kits and yes to push rods also

Re: small block roller conversion
 

I can buy a forged roller short block but nobody can tell me how the stock 260 is balanced,I am also trying to find out how my buddys shortblock was done.
His has forged pistons,all balanced,factory roller block,and has close to the cam I want in it already,400.00 takes it but I want to make sure I can bolt it in and go,I am trying to do a low budjet deal here,I plan on a bigger boat in a year or two.

Re: small block roller conversion
 

depending on the year and heads as far as accs go any sb chev will bolt right in

Re: small block roller conversion
 

I know the accessorys will work,I am using vortec heads,My issue is checking balance on the 2 engines.

Re: small block roller conversion
 

you mean on the rotating assy???

Re: small block roller conversion
 

245Limited,
Your 1988 factory SBC (provided the engine is a 1988) has a one piece rear seal which means the balancer is neutral and the flywheel is externally balanced. 1988 was the first year the blocks were both one piece rear seal and machined for a roller cam retainer plate and the valley spider to accommodate the dogbone assembly for the lifters. To convert to a roller cam you can simply use a step nose core with the factory lifter arrangement.
To use your friends block you must examine the build sheet and determine if his engine was internally or externally balanced and if the block is set up for the step or flat nose cam core. If his engine is internally balanced you will need a neutral balancer and flywheel and you're good to go. If it is externally balanced it may require a neutral/external balancer and a externally balanced flywheel. In the case you need externally balanced components they must be balanced in conjunction with the weight of your current rotating assembly.
Bob

Re: small block roller conversion
 

I was asked if my block was drilled and tapped before,I did not even think of looking last year when i had the intake off,I should go pull the intake to see.I know his engine was in a 92 camaro from the factory,I am trying to contact the guy that did his work to see about how it was done (balancing)

Re: small block roller conversion
 

This is also the origianal engine in the boat.

Re: small block roller conversion
 

I am trying to find out how both engines are balanced.

Re: small block roller conversion
 

The 1988 block is a roller set up w/ neutral balancer and external flywheel.
Bob

Re: small block roller conversion
 

lim,
Some of the early "roller" blocks had lifter bores that were not the same size from top to bottom. They were used in truck engines that did not have roller cams. If you try to go with a hydraulic roller on these blocks you will have oil pressure problems. You have to look at the lifter bore in the block. If it is the same size all the way from top to bottom, you are ok. If there is a step at the top, making the top 1/2" or so a larger diameter hole, you can only use non-roller lifters. The roller lifters have thier oil hole higher in the body than the non-roller lifters do. When they come up on the top of the cam lobe, the oil hole is exposed in the stepped area of the bore and you lose oil pressure. I found this out the hard way on an engine I built for my own Blazer :( I have only seen a few of these blocks over the years so I don't know how common they are.

Re: small block roller conversion
 

How can i tell what year it is by the number on it?If I remeber right isn't the SBC casting number on the back by the bellhousing area? What number converts to year?
The boat is an 88 but that does not mean the engine was cast in 88.