Who has had success with a roller cam big block?

[Kern Dog]

The Pre Val is around ten bucks too. CHEAP and simple.

[Kern Dog]

Sometimes the prices of stuff sure jumps since the last time you bought it.
A 10 oz tube of "The Right Stuff" is forty bucks now? A Wix 51515 oil filter is fifteen?
I got two filters since I figure I should change the oil before and after the swap. Hydraulic lifters mean I set the preload and close it up. I tried to but Valvoline VR 1 in a 10 w 30 but couldn't find it at three stores I tried, only 20 w 50 and it is not advised to use oil that thick with these lifters. Amazon lists the 10 w 30 but won't ship it to California. I'll have to go to Summit Racing in Sparks Nevada.

[Kern Dog]

Finally I got off my ass and got to it. I don't know what the heck was holding me from it except.... me.
Here it is with the current setup, a Lunati solid flat tappet cam with .016 lash intake, .018 exhaust.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWqinx3e8eM

It runs strong and makes great power but isn't great for speeds much below 2000 rpms. It doesn't run bad, it just isn't that snappy from idle. Vacuum at idle is around 7-8" in neutral around 1000 rpms. I did a cranking compression test:

1) 172...2) 175
3) 175...4) 172
5) 178...6) 178
7) 180...7) 172

I was pleased to see the numbers so close. The plugs looked good.
There may be 3000-3500 miles on the plugs, much of it has been just putting around locally.
I tell you, spark plug access with 2" headers is not great. The battery is in the way, the brake booster makes for a crappy obstacle too. The left side...Numbers 2 and 4 have to be reached from underneath while laying on the floor. There was no misfiring going on so I'll clean and reuse these.

[Kern Dog]

Tear down is complete.
Most everything came off easily. It is surprising though how despite no obvious major leaks, the engine does get dirty. I need to inspect the rocker arms and shafts but I may just move forward with buying new. This Howard's timing setup is still tight...






The lifters all came out easily.
I put them in the exact order they were in the engine.



All look beautiful.



You can see the tiny EDM direct oiling hole.



The cam looks the same as when I installed it in 2022. Yeah... I took an engine apart that ran fine. Here is a partial pile of parts to stow in the parts shed.



Roller lifters are taller so I'll need shorter pushrods. I needed a 3 bolt timing set so this one bolt setup will be saved and used elsewhere. I may keep this cam and use it in another engine or I may sell it. I'm not sure yet. Buying and using used camshafts make some people really nervous. I bought one from a FBBO member for Jigsaw and it is great.
No mock up or trial fitment today. I do have some mineral spirits.
I'll clean the cam and lube it up before putting it in. The last time I did a cam swap was well over 10 years ago and I was disappointed to find the new cam did not want to go in and turn smoothly. That required a few extra steps to get right. Using my cheap calipers, the journal sizes do match up.



Overall, it was a good day. I entirely forgot about the football game today.