Roller cams and vortec heads, can they be added to any block?

[DeepBlue2010]

We (myself and few friends) having a conversation about engines and one said that the engine MUST be vortec originally (>=1996 vortec engine) to be able to install vortec heads on it. Also, the same person said that roller cams CAN'T be used with an engine that had flat tappet cam originally. I called BS on the two claims.


My understanding is that Vortec heads (kidney shapped compustion champer) can be installed on any engine block provided that the correct calculation were made for CR exactly like any other head.


Also, a roller cam can be installed provided that all calculations were made to the rocker arms geometry, push rod lenght, proper left and spring calculations, etc


Was I correct taking this stand?!

 

[Bt Doctur]

a roller cam means the lifters do not rotate in the bores and are held in place by the girdles and the retaining plate that is bolted to the valley of the block.
So you need the castings with the threaded holes for the retaining plate in the block to add a roller camshaft.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

With all due respect, I am not sure why the block needs any threading at all. I totally understand that the roller lifter must not rotate in the lifter bore. This can be accomplished by the retaining plate and the spider which will require threads in the lifter valley or it can be accomplished by much simpler solution like this one




Which will require no modification to the engine at all. What I am missing?

 

[wellcrafter24]

just completing 97 bbc build .....do your home workthere is alot to know about bbc's I will be posting some pic's next day or so.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

just completing 97 bbc build .....do your home workthere is alot to know about bbc's I will be posting some pic's next day or so.

Very informative! Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Was I correct taking this stand?!

Ayuh,.... You are Correct,....