Block Question ??????

Hi guys,, i have a 5.7 block #14101148. Checked the #s it doesn't say roller cam, but the block has threaded holes in lifter galery.. Wondering if a roller cam can be used ...THANKS jim


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14101148 1988-up 350 205 & up 2/4 1 piece rear main seal. Late model roller non LT1

14101148 1987-90 350 4 One-piece rear seal

English please... It is 1pc rear... 4 bolt, steel crank.....jim

i dont see why not if the holes are there.the numbers show to be 86 thru 90 one piece rear seal 4bolt.they started the roller in 87 to 91 im pretty sure.i would say go for it .i have seen it done in some fords.some of their engines come set up with the holes for a roller setup in a non roller engine.hope this helps.i ran your #14101148 . http://www.mortec.com/ .cole

DANG>>>> More stuff to look for. THANKS. jim

Yes, it should be fine. To my knowledge, there was never a non-roller block that was cast with the bosses for the retainer, let alone drilled and tapped. Many of the trucks got roller blocks with flat cams, but its safe to assume.

Almost all 87-later SBC cars got the roller with the TBI. Some trucks got the roller with TBI, so if that casting number indicates 87-later and its tapped for the retainer, its gotta be.

The only other major difference would be the lifter bore height. The roller blocks have taller lifter bores, but I don't know how tall to tell you.

Thanks,, the lifters did seem deeper in the bores, and a machined surface behind them .

One other difference is the roller-type block needs to be machined for the cam retainer. Be sure that the machining for that is there, too.

@ curtis73- I've heard there are blocks that have been cast but not machined for all the roller cam bits and pieces. Never actually saw one, though.

I have a '92 block w/NO roller holes or castings. It has just a rudimentary mechanical fuel pump mount, the push rod hole is missing entirely, no holes, let alone tapped holes.

OTOH, I just got a '99 roller block. It has tapped fuel pump plate mounting holes, as well as a push rod hole that has been bored maybe 90% of the way through to the camshaft.

I wonder has anyone ever bored through to the crankcase and used a mech. fuel pump on one of these blocks?

I have two customer blocks here right now that are drilled
and tapped for the fuel pump mount, and drilled and reamed
for the fuel pump pushrod, so yes it can be done.
Beware though, if you try to do it at home you would need some
sort of fixture to do it, and you'll be there a week drilling through
6" or so of cast iron, not to mention needing to ream afterwards
and be straight. There also needs to be a counterbore put in
to clear the pump are, and an oil drainback hole needs to be
drilled through to the crankcase. Sounds like a lot, and it would
be at home, but I only charge $75 to do it, I would expect other
competent shops to be about that same price.

Thanks, this block has mechanical fuel pump. I will remove timing cover to check for cam retainer machining.. jim