Roller cam conversion question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mplex2000 · 10-24-2005, 10:45 AM

Posted this over in Engine and Drivetrain, but I never get any answers there so here it is again:

I'm wanting to retrofit my old 350 block with a roller cam. None of the grinds out there will work real well for me, though.

I was looking at a "stock" ZZ4 cam which is a nice mild looking grind. Can this cam be installed in an older non roller block using the typical aftermarket roller retrofit lifters?

Thanks,
Chris

*wolfthing2000* · 10-24-2005, 12:12 PM

I am doing exactly what you propose with a 383 build. You need the roller cam, of course, roller lifters with the vertical bars, new push rods and guide plates on heads. Roller rocker/roller tip to complete the set-up. Don't forget stronger springs etc.

Tx Firefighter · 10-24-2005, 01:17 PM

Yes.

There is a fellow here in town that did exactly that. He bought a ZZ4 cam out of a crate engine and used aftermarket roller conversion roller lifters in an old, non roller cam, block. It works fine.

mplex2000 · 10-24-2005, 02:04 PM

Sweet, thanks guys.

mplex2000 · 10-24-2005, 02:05 PM

While I'm thinking about it, does the ZZ4 cam require a bronze dizzy gear?

*FormerMember* · 10-24-2005, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mplex2000

While I'm thinking about it, does the ZZ4 cam require a bronze dizzy gear?

It's advised.

You also want to use the cam button I included with a stronger timing cover plate.

4x4Poet · 10-25-2005, 02:20 AM

In case you want to go

on the cam dist gear:

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...3&autoview=sku

jimfulco · 10-25-2005, 04:09 AM

Or if you want the cheaper GM alternative: http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/924/...butor-Gear.htm

*FormerMember* · 10-25-2005, 06:50 AM

I included a .05 bronze distributor gear, I thought?

mplex2000 · 10-25-2005, 08:35 AM

Yeah, I already have the gear and the button. I'm guessing your pushrods should work as well. As grendel knows, I have a set of lifters ... but I bought mechanicals on accident, just a stupid mistake. Now I still need lifters and the cam. I've already got the manifold off since I was replacing the Victor that came on the truck.

Going to run a Holley dual plane until I go EFI. I'd like to swap to some nice heads, but I need to get the truck running and inspectible so I can take care of some other stuff. Hopefully I can pull off the cam swap while I've got it apart. I've got new suspension, brakes, wheels, etc. Lots of upgrades at once

10-24-2005, 10:45 AM	#1
mplex2000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: DFW Posts: 463	Roller cam conversion question Posted this over in Engine and Drivetrain, but I never get any answers there so here it is again: I'm wanting to retrofit my old 350 block with a roller cam. None of the grinds out there will work real well for me, though. I was looking at a "stock" ZZ4 cam which is a nice mild looking grind. Can this cam be installed in an older non roller block using the typical aftermarket roller retrofit lifters? Thanks, Chris Last edited by mplex2000; 10-24-2005 at 10:46 AM.

10-24-2005, 12:12 PM	#2
wolfthing2000 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,276	Re: Roller cam conversion question I am doing exactly what you propose with a 383 build. You need the roller cam, of course, roller lifters with the vertical bars, new push rods and guide plates on heads. Roller rocker/roller tip to complete the set-up. Don't forget stronger springs etc.

10-24-2005, 01:17 PM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Roller cam conversion question Yes. There is a fellow here in town that did exactly that. He bought a ZZ4 cam out of a crate engine and used aftermarket roller conversion roller lifters in an old, non roller cam, block. It works fine. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-24-2005, 02:04 PM	#4
mplex2000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: DFW Posts: 463	Re: Roller cam conversion question Sweet, thanks guys.

10-24-2005, 02:05 PM	#5
mplex2000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: DFW Posts: 463	Re: Roller cam conversion question While I'm thinking about it, does the ZZ4 cam require a bronze dizzy gear?

10-25-2005, 02:20 AM	#7
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	In case you want to go on the cam dist gear: http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...3&autoview=sku __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup. Last edited by 4x4Poet; 10-25-2005 at 02:22 AM.

10-25-2005, 04:09 AM	#8
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	Re: Roller cam conversion question Or if you want the cheaper GM alternative: http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/924/...butor-Gear.htm

10-25-2005, 06:50 AM	#9
FormerMember Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,051	Re: Roller cam conversion question I included a .05 bronze distributor gear, I thought?

10-25-2005, 08:35 AM	#10
mplex2000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: DFW Posts: 463	Re: Roller cam conversion question Yeah, I already have the gear and the button. I'm guessing your pushrods should work as well. As grendel knows, I have a set of lifters ... but I bought mechanicals on accident, just a stupid mistake. Now I still need lifters and the cam. I've already got the manifold off since I was replacing the Victor that came on the truck. Going to run a Holley dual plane until I go EFI. I'd like to swap to some nice heads, but I need to get the truck running and inspectible so I can take care of some other stuff. Hopefully I can pull off the cam swap while I've got it apart. I've got new suspension, brakes, wheels, etc. Lots of upgrades at once



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.