Thread: A solid roller in a '70 400 small block???

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.....Hi everyone, Is there any special machining or any trick to putting solid roller lifters in a 400 small block Chev.??? Is this what they mean by 'retro rollers'???? THANKS Bill

There is no special machining to install solid roller is 400 SBC. Retro lifter mean after market Hyd Roller lifter. Now if you chose to use 350 Rods in a 400 you'll need to be sure order small base circle cam for more rod and cam clearance.

You will need the retro rollers..... and new pushrods........

Originally Posted by billlsbird

.....Hi everyone, Is there any special machining or any trick to putting solid roller lifters in a 400 small block Chev.??? Is this what they mean by 'retro rollers'???? THANKS Bill

If you do decide to go soild roller just make sure you don't "over cam" it.

.....Thanks Race car, Shawnlee & Eric! But now I'm confused, Shawnlee said I'd "need retro rollers" but Race said that "retro means aftermarket Hyd roller lifter". So I need 'retro solid roller lifters', correct??? or do they not make them???
Eric, quote; "don't go to big', glad that your keeping on eye on me!!! Yes, I was probably thinking 'too big'. What would you say is the BIGGEST cam that I could go with; 413 cu. in., 10 to 1 compression {my 'forgot the what you call it' compression is a little under 8.5 to 1 {dymanic?}, AFR 195 heads {but I was also thinking maybe bigger AFR heads, the 210's?}, dual plane manafold {but I'd go to single plane}, 3000 true stall, 4:11 true track rear gears. Cam now is 230/236 @ .050 duration, .522 lift {w/ 1.6 rockers}.... Is there a reason why you can't go to big w/ a sollid roller that's a different why you shouldn't go to big w/ a hyd roller??? THANKS, Bill

Originally Posted by billlsbird

.....Thanks Race car, Shawnlee & Eric! But now I'm confused, Shawnlee said I'd "need retro rollers" but Race said that "retro means aftermarket Hyd roller lifter". So I need 'retro solid roller lifters', correct??? or do they not make them???
Eric, quote; "don't go to big', glad that your keeping on eye on me!!! Yes, I was probably thinking 'too big'. What would you say is the BIGGEST cam that I could go with; 413 cu. in., 10 to 1 compression {my 'forgot the what you call it' compression is a little under 8.5 to 1 {dymanic?}, AFR 195 heads {but I was also thinking maybe bigger AFR heads, the 210's?}, dual plane manafold {but I'd go to single plane}, 3000 true stall, 4:11 true track rear gears. Cam now is 230/236 @ .050 duration, .522 lift {w/ 1.6 rockers}.... Is there a reason why you can't go to big w/ a sollid roller that's a different why you shouldn't go to big w/ a hyd roller??? THANKS, Bill

With your comp. ratio,stall speed,and gear ratio. you might as well run a hyd. roller cam.
I would guess no more than 240 degree's at .050.
I would keep the 195 cc heads but I.M.O. it would be a toss up between the RPM Performer and the Victor intake above 4,500 RPM'S.

......THANKS Pat, I don't want to get to carried away cuz I want to run pump gas. As it is my motor pings like crazy on regular.... Eric, ok so I'll look for one that's not more than 240. I though the bigger heads would be better with a bigger cam? Guess not, but that's ok as it's cheaper to not change them ... Isn't the single plane better at higher RPM's?? Bill

Originally Posted by billlsbird

......THANKS Pat, I don't want to get to carried away cuz I want to run pump gas. As it is my motor pings like crazy on regular.... Eric, ok so I'll look for one that's not more than 240. I though the bigger heads would be better with a bigger cam? Guess not, but that's ok as it's cheaper to not change them ... Isn't the single plane better at higher RPM's?? Bill

Sorry,I wrote that very poorly.
You are right about the manifold.
At 4,500 and above the Victor is the way to go.
I would not even look at the bigger heads un-less your wanted to turn the engine above 7,000 but you don't have the comp. ratio to support it.

NO you need RETRO roller lifters ONLY for going in a older flat cam engine not set up for GM stock hyd roller block... Soild Roller you do not call them retro just the hyd rollers. I WOULD PUT A BIG ROLLER CAM IN THE DAMN THING PUT SOME CR TO IT if not why bother with it???? you have a light car it is not like your going to pull a fifth wheel with it ???

yes thats a big cam 050 mild 250.. i would say he will not care for it much at low rpm

GM supplies the "Melonized" gear for around 43 bucks. It works on steel and cast cams. Have three Steel roller cam engines running for over three years with this gear in them and no failures or strange behaviors from them.

Where's my popcorn?

how about picking a cam for me!! 302 chevy 12:5-1 pop up's 2.02 1.6 valves camel hump's <dont give me no crap > valve springs are good up to .600 lift gonna have an 830 or larger carb on it with a tall single plane. i have a list but was wondering what some of you guys would pick

I have had a 400 small block with the short 5.56 rods for 40000 miles in a Cobra,with a solid flat tappet ,254 @0.50, 5.75 lift with 1.6 roller rockers .I ahve revved the sh#t out of it all the way to 7500rpm, often ,always, and it has never broken.The short rods are not ideal, and I have recently rebuilt with 3.750 steel crank and 6" h beam rods. The stock cast parts are very strong actually.

Hey Gassersrule, That carb is toooo big for a 302! My cam is an ISKY Z35 grind on a small base with 1.6 rockers,makes great power,but a little lumpy under 2000 rpm. I use an 800 spreadbore double pumper on a 406 that pulls 8000rpm.If you use stock 1.5 rockers this cam will be very streetable.