Hydraulic roller lifters - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mikep · 12-18-2002, 11:53 AM

I'm working a lot more than I like tolately which of course means I have more money to spend on crap.

What is the consensus on retrofit hydraulic roller lifters? I have heard a few bad things about the comp cams hydraulic rollers. Can anyone back this up? What about the crane hydraulic rollers?

If no one makes a reliable aftermarket hydraulic roller what is the consensus on late model 4 bolt blocks? Are they any good.Ive never used a roller lifter block.

**1970 CST Short Wide** · 12-18-2002, 12:11 PM

I too would be interested in anyones opinion as I want to go Roller Hydraulic with the 454 I'm building
Thanks for starting this post Mikep

Reumster · 12-18-2002, 12:47 PM

I use Comp Cam Hydralic roller lifters, and I went through a set of them. They almost all colloapsed. But the new set has been working great. Remember to soak them in oil prior to assembly.

Next thing is that the cam last along time. And they definately free some ponies.

**1970 CST Short Wide** · 12-18-2002, 02:28 PM

Did Comp Cam replace them or did you have to buy a second set? How long did they last before collapsing?

**MikeB** · 12-18-2002, 11:47 PM

The retro-fit roller lifters are expensive and very hard to get. I think there's only one company making them now for Crane, Comp, Lunati, etc. As for the late model blocks, I'm building one now. Make sure you get a roller cam block -- many truck blocks had flat tappet cams and don't have the lifter retainer bosses. Also, some later blocks don't have a fuel pump pushrod hole. OE-style roller lifters (Melling) are maybe $115 a set and you don't have to mess around with thrust bearings. There is pretty good selection of cams now, and even stroker cranks. Oh, yeah -- the dip stick is on the passenger side.

Hooter · 12-19-2002, 01:49 AM

what you can't just put a set of roller lifters in a regular 350 4 bolt main without modifications?

cableguy0 · 12-19-2002, 01:53 AM

yea u can put roller lifters into an old block without mods but the lifters are around 350 bucks a set and the cams are usually about 300 bucks so by the time its all said and done ur looking at probably over 800 bucks on a cam change

Hooter · 12-19-2002, 01:59 AM

Ah screw that then. Im broke

Blue68 · 12-19-2002, 01:14 PM

Try this on. It's a 350 from a '98 Z71 4x4. Paid $300 for the engine. Swapped out the cam and changed other components to make it work with a tin timing cover and carburation. (Anyone want the fuel injection stuff (intake, pcm, breather)? free to a good home). I've since replaced the fan shroud. Engine had about 90k on it and the lifters still looked good.

Custom 68 · 12-19-2002, 02:47 PM

hey Blue sent you a PM

lukecp · 12-19-2002, 07:18 PM

I saw some crane roller lifters in Summit (or was it jegs?) that said they slid right into a 55-00 SBC block with no problems. I was also thinking of upgrading, although i doubt i will do it anytime soon.

Big69C20 Toy · 12-19-2002, 08:29 PM

from all i've heard those hyd rollers are good up to around 6500rpm and then they start having troubles... but most street motors wont see that anyways. the retro fit ones are costly but i'm told you can change your block around so you can use the OE style ones that are far cheaper.

Also for another thought solid rollers are damn nice and reliable... however there is some controversy regarding adjustment.. some say you gotta check pretty regularly and others i've talked to said if you use good poly locks and some other stuff you can just run em for a long while before adjustment 30k + supposedly... i'm unsure though but my block WILL be roller...

mikep · 12-19-2002, 08:38 PM

Your going to have some troubles over 6500 rpm with any hydraulic lifter. I wonder if it would be possible to convert an early block to use the OEM hydraulic roller lifter retainers. It doent look that difficult. Drill into the area over the cam and tap it and mount a boss . Do it in conjunction with epoxy and I bet it would stay forever.

12-18-2002, 11:53 AM	#1
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Hydraulic roller lifters I'm working a lot more than I like tolately which of course means I have more money to spend on crap. What is the consensus on retrofit hydraulic roller lifters? I have heard a few bad things about the comp cams hydraulic rollers. Can anyone back this up? What about the crane hydraulic rollers? If no one makes a reliable aftermarket hydraulic roller what is the consensus on late model 4 bolt blocks? Are they any good.Ive never used a roller lifter block. __________________ No truck :-(

12-18-2002, 12:11 PM	#2
1970 CST Short Wide Senior Moment Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pittsburg Ca Posts: 4,192	I too would be interested in anyones opinion as I want to go Roller Hydraulic with the 454 I'm building Thanks for starting this post Mikep __________________ 1970 CST LS 1 6 speed Ford 9 inch Detroit Tru Track, Dakota Didgital, Vintage Air, QA1 Coil Overs Front & Rear Lots of FUN 2013 GMC PU, Oldest Son 71 GMC LWB. QA1 Suspension, Angry SB. Youngest Son 2017 Toyota SUV Daughters car 2018 Traverse , Wife’s Ride Pittsburg Ca 94565

12-18-2002, 12:47 PM	#3
Reumster L.E.D. Freak Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Polson MT Posts: 1,358	I use Comp Cam Hydralic roller lifters, and I went through a set of them. They almost all colloapsed. But the new set has been working great. Remember to soak them in oil prior to assembly. Next thing is that the cam last along time. And they definately free some ponies. __________________ Specializing in Custom L.E.D. inserts. http://www.ccled.com/ Contact me @ blazer2wd1972@hotmail.com (406)675-8082 or Joel @ jmcwaters@eps-corp.net 1972 2wd Blazer, 350/700R4/3:73 posi, err & Custom L.E.D. inserts! LOL

12-18-2002, 02:28 PM	#4
1970 CST Short Wide Senior Moment Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pittsburg Ca Posts: 4,192	Did Comp Cam replace them or did you have to buy a second set? How long did they last before collapsing? __________________ 1970 CST LS 1 6 speed Ford 9 inch Detroit Tru Track, Dakota Didgital, Vintage Air, QA1 Coil Overs Front & Rear Lots of FUN 2013 GMC PU, Oldest Son 71 GMC LWB. QA1 Suspension, Angry SB. Youngest Son 2017 Toyota SUV Daughters car 2018 Traverse , Wife’s Ride Pittsburg Ca 94565

12-18-2002, 11:47 PM	#5
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,599	The retro-fit roller lifters are expensive and very hard to get. I think there's only one company making them now for Crane, Comp, Lunati, etc. As for the late model blocks, I'm building one now. Make sure you get a roller cam block -- many truck blocks had flat tappet cams and don't have the lifter retainer bosses. Also, some later blocks don't have a fuel pump pushrod hole. OE-style roller lifters (Melling) are maybe $115 a set and you don't have to mess around with thrust bearings. There is pretty good selection of cams now, and even stroker cranks. Oh, yeah -- the dip stick is on the passenger side. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

12-19-2002, 01:49 AM	#6
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	what you can't just put a set of roller lifters in a regular 350 4 bolt main without modifications? __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

12-19-2002, 01:53 AM	#7
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	yea u can put roller lifters into an old block without mods but the lifters are around 350 bucks a set and the cams are usually about 300 bucks so by the time its all said and done ur looking at probably over 800 bucks on a cam change __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

12-19-2002, 01:59 AM	#8
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	Ah screw that then. Im broke __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

12-19-2002, 01:14 PM	#9
Blue68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Frisco, Tx, USA Posts: 606	Try this on. It's a 350 from a '98 Z71 4x4. Paid $300 for the engine. Swapped out the cam and changed other components to make it work with a tin timing cover and carburation. (Anyone want the fuel injection stuff (intake, pcm, breather)? free to a good home). I've since replaced the fan shroud. Engine had about 90k on it and the lifters still looked good. Attached Images __________________ http://home.comcast.net/~r.landrum/w...tos.html-.html '68 C-10 LWB, '98 Z-71 350 w/accessories (Serpentine), Edelbrock Performer, Edelbrock 1405 (600cfm) carb, GM HEI, CompCam Extreme 4x4 roller cam, Thorley Headers, Carter Electric Fuel Pump, Vintage Air, 700r4, 3.73, disc brakes and power steering upgrades.

12-19-2002, 02:47 PM	#10
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,939	hey Blue sent you a PM __________________ 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!"

12-19-2002, 07:18 PM	#11
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I saw some crane roller lifters in Summit (or was it jegs?) that said they slid right into a 55-00 SBC block with no problems. I was also thinking of upgrading, although i doubt i will do it anytime soon. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

12-19-2002, 08:29 PM	#12
Big69C20 Toy Livin' it up. Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Richland, MI Posts: 2,212	from all i've heard those hyd rollers are good up to around 6500rpm and then they start having troubles... but most street motors wont see that anyways. the retro fit ones are costly but i'm told you can change your block around so you can use the OE style ones that are far cheaper. Also for another thought solid rollers are damn nice and reliable... however there is some controversy regarding adjustment.. some say you gotta check pretty regularly and others i've talked to said if you use good poly locks and some other stuff you can just run em for a long while before adjustment 30k + supposedly... i'm unsure though but my block WILL be roller... __________________ -Greg; Sold the 69 C20. It's off to a better home with more love! Now onto the 86 CUCV M1009; K5 blazer with 6.2L diesel, corp 10 bolt axles, Detroit locker in the rear, trutrac front, 3.73 gears, 35" tires.

12-19-2002, 08:38 PM	#13
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Your going to have some troubles over 6500 rpm with any hydraulic lifter. I wonder if it would be possible to convert an early block to use the OEM hydraulic roller lifter retainers. It doent look that difficult. Drill into the area over the cam and tap it and mount a boss . Do it in conjunction with epoxy and I bet it would stay forever. __________________ No truck :-(



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