Roller Cam - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mcompound · 01-08-2003, 03:24 PM

I have a 364 stroker motor, it is a 350 and crank with small journal 327 rods. I have to pull the tranny, so I am planning on pulling the engine and putting in a new cam. I have found the roller cam for a zz4 fairly cheap. Can I put this new roller in my old motor? What about lifters will I have to do anything special or can I just put in the cam and lifters???

Custom 68 · 01-08-2003, 06:59 PM

I beileve it is very expencive to make a roller motor out of an old one. But I am wondering about your engine. I have not heard of this combo. Could you tell me more?
Thanks

Mike C · 01-08-2003, 08:10 PM

You cannot use the GM lifters. they use a "spider" that bolts into the valley that lines up the lifters so the wheel is perfectly in line with the cam. In an older block you will need to use conversion lifters which are between $300 and $400 a set. I'm not sure if you can use a regular chain with block saver and cam button as the ZZ4 grind is for a block tha is machined for a cam button. Closest way to get power of a roller without the cost is to run a mechanical flat tappet cam where cam, lifters, and springs should be less than $250.

mcompound · 01-09-2003, 12:11 AM

A 364 is just a cheap stroker motor, at least it was before these 383 kits became so cheap. All you have to do for a 364 is take a 350 block and crank, turn the crank down to accept small journal 327 rods, this gives you a longer stroke, then you have to fly cut the pistons because they will actually come up out of the block. No block clearances are needed.

I have had terrible luck with cams, from lobes going flat to lifters collapsing. I am going to spend the money on a roller and be done screwing with the cam situation. I just want to know what the best way to do it is. I can get a ZZ4 cam fairly cheap, I know I will have to buy the high dollar lifters, I just want to know the best way to go. Know way am I running a solid, I don't want to work on the thing any more I just want to tear around with it on the weekends.

thanks

bigjimzlll · 01-09-2003, 12:24 AM

a retro fit roller cam set up is the way to go...not cheap, but the only way to do it right..you'll need: roller cam..retrofit roller lifters..push rods..valve springs..cam button,or other retaining gear..distributor gear..cam-200.00..lifters-300-400..push rods-75.00..springs-150.00..misc.40.00
Jim

mcompound · 01-09-2003, 12:47 AM

In Jeg's I'm seeing a crane retro roller for 300, horizontal retro roller lifters crane for 225, welded and hardened push rods for 30, should'nt need the distributor gear with a retro cam, I will have to check my springs because I just put new ones in with the last cam (not to long ago). If I could get by without springs it could be done for $600. Still a lot of money - tough decision.

bigjimzlll · 01-09-2003, 01:12 AM

you'll need a spring thats 1.430 and is a double spring

01-08-2003, 03:24 PM	#1
mcompound Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Mexico Posts: 39	Roller Cam I have a 364 stroker motor, it is a 350 and crank with small journal 327 rods. I have to pull the tranny, so I am planning on pulling the engine and putting in a new cam. I have found the roller cam for a zz4 fairly cheap. Can I put this new roller in my old motor? What about lifters will I have to do anything special or can I just put in the cam and lifters???

01-08-2003, 06:59 PM	#2
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,929	I beileve it is very expencive to make a roller motor out of an old one. But I am wondering about your engine. I have not heard of this combo. Could you tell me more? Thanks __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

01-08-2003, 08:10 PM	#3
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,715	You cannot use the GM lifters. they use a "spider" that bolts into the valley that lines up the lifters so the wheel is perfectly in line with the cam. In an older block you will need to use conversion lifters which are between $300 and $400 a set. I'm not sure if you can use a regular chain with block saver and cam button as the ZZ4 grind is for a block tha is machined for a cam button. Closest way to get power of a roller without the cost is to run a mechanical flat tappet cam where cam, lifters, and springs should be less than $250. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

01-09-2003, 12:24 AM	#5
bigjimzlll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding,CA...USA Posts: 4,736	a retro fit roller cam set up is the way to go...not cheap, but the only way to do it right..you'll need: roller cam..retrofit roller lifters..push rods..valve springs..cam button,or other retaining gear..distributor gear..cam-200.00..lifters-300-400..push rods-75.00..springs-150.00..misc.40.00 Jim __________________ It's called "drag racing" if they called it "tic..tic..WHAM!..BANG! F*&K!!!", they'd have to keep the magazines under the counter with the other men's publications click the clicky to join the site.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php 67 lwb..first hotrod in 25 years..540 best ET is 9.45 @ 141.44 Anderson,CA

01-09-2003, 01:12 AM	#7
bigjimzlll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding,CA...USA Posts: 4,736	you'll need a spring thats 1.430 and is a double spring __________________ It's called "drag racing" if they called it "tic..tic..WHAM!..BANG! F*&K!!!", they'd have to keep the magazines under the counter with the other men's publications click the clicky to join the site.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php 67 lwb..first hotrod in 25 years..540 best ET is 9.45 @ 141.44 Anderson,CA

01-09-2003, 12:11 AM	#4
mcompound Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Mexico Posts: 39	A 364 is just a cheap stroker motor, at least it was before these 383 kits became so cheap. All you have to do for a 364 is take a 350 block and crank, turn the crank down to accept small journal 327 rods, this gives you a longer stroke, then you have to fly cut the pistons because they will actually come up out of the block. No block clearances are needed. I have had terrible luck with cams, from lobes going flat to lifters collapsing. I am going to spend the money on a roller and be done screwing with the cam situation. I just want to know what the best way to do it is. I can get a ZZ4 cam fairly cheap, I know I will have to buy the high dollar lifters, I just want to know the best way to go. Know way am I running a solid, I don't want to work on the thing any more I just want to tear around with it on the weekends. thanks

01-09-2003, 12:47 AM	#6
mcompound Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Mexico Posts: 39	In Jeg's I'm seeing a crane retro roller for 300, horizontal retro roller lifters crane for 225, welded and hardened push rods for 30, should'nt need the distributor gear with a retro cam, I will have to check my springs because I just put new ones in with the last cam (not to long ago). If I could get by without springs it could be done for $600. Still a lot of money - tough decision.

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