Roller short block

Discussion in 'Technical' started by 71nogo, Jun 28, 2010.

  1. 71nogo

    71nogo Member

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    if i was to go with the roller short block for my 302, use my stock intake,cam, push rods in other words the top end- do i need to change the valve springs on me e-7 cast heads? going this route would save me a boat load of cash and time. any thoughts? thank you, Rick
     
  2. 74 GRABBER

    74 GRABBER Member

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    A short block normally comes with cam, dog bone, spider assembly, and lifters.

    You should only be short pushrods, and possible rockers if you didn't get them with your heads. (just walk into auto zone and ask for pushrods for a 1987 mustang with a 5.0, rockers can be purchased through autozone as well or go with pedistal mount 1.7 roller rockers)


    For your wants, and needs out of the motor I would stick with the roller cam setup. and it free HP :)
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2010
  3. justin has a 74

    justin has a 74 Maverick bandit official

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    roller cam? If the heads are from that motor, then no. If they are from a flat tappet cam motor then yes. I have a brand new set.
     
  4. 71nogo

    71nogo Member

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    i havea set of e-7 cast heads w/rockers from a stock 5.0 stang. i was talking with 74 graber and he's the one to mention to me that i may need to change my valve springs.
     
  5. 71nogo

    71nogo Member

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    pm sent(y)
     
  6. 74 GRABBER

    74 GRABBER Member

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    ok try to simplify this

    e7 heads came on roller motors.......... So the springs on your e7 heads SHOULD be the same and correct for a roller cam


    Your stock motor has a flat tappet cam, which is going to require different springs if you want to use that cam.......

    Most short blocks come equipt with a cam already, meaning in this situation it would be a roller cam, and your heads SHOULD have the correct springs already installed.

    It would be going backwards using a stock 71 flat tappet cam vs using the cam that should come with the roller short block.


    If you get that short block all you should need is the correct pushrods, install heads, pushrods, rockers, intake and carb and you have a complete "roller cam" longblock.


    After that your next issues will be
    oil pan and pickup (need to install stock v8 maverick front sump pan and pickup)
    front accesories (I would just convert to serpentine and 130 amp alt right now)
    fuel pump (need an inline electric pump, or sump your tank and use a sump pump)
    plugging air pump ports on heads (simple plugs for the air injection ports on back of heads)
    flexplate stock stuff will be 28oz balance, you will need 50oz balance for new motor)
    harmonic balancer (same as flexplate info)

    and I'm sure I'm missing a couple more of the top of my head.

    Theres also a tech article on installing a roller motor on this siter, take a read :)
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2010
  7. 71nogo

    71nogo Member

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    oh man, and i thought i was so close! i have to change all that too?
     
  8. baddad457

    baddad457 Member

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    The 87-91 E & F series with a 5.0 came with a roller block, but had a flat tappet cam. They also had E7 heads with springs to match those cams.
     
  9. baddad457

    baddad457 Member

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    There's no point in using a roller short block then sticking a flat tappet cam in it. Roller cams and lifters for these engines are dirt cheap, use em.
     
  10. 74 GRABBER

    74 GRABBER Member

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    If you have all your original stuff from your maverick all you really need is is a
    couple plugs for the heads
    a fuel pump
    a 50oz flexplate
    a 50 oz harmonic balalncer


    a serp setup with 130g alternator is just a really really nice upgrade while you have all tore apart.



    OH and I just remembered another major thing you will need. A distributor from a 1985 mustang GT with a manual transmission. (50.00 @ autozone)

    And a duraspark box and wiring. Or a msd or similar if you already have a ignition box.

    LOL and if you ask really nice I have all the stuff you need up north, except for distributor and duraspark wiring (which are plentiful in PHX junkyards for cheap). Who would have guessed huh. LOL
     
  11. 74 GRABBER

    74 GRABBER Member

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    Yes I'm aware of that, I was honestly just trying to not confuse a pontiac guy with year by year ford changes LOL.


    Now that you mention it though, what were the spring pressures on them setups if you know so I can add that to my own personal memory bank:Handshake
     
  12. baddad457

    baddad457 Member

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    :hmmm: Sorry, I don't have that info. :huh:
     
  13. 71nogo

    71nogo Member

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    OK,, So i am asking- here it comes.....wait for it.....PPPPPLEASE PRETTY PLEASE! and just to make sure i got my point across, PLEASE SIR!:bowdown:
     

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