How to tell roller cam or not

[87silveradok20]

I have an 87 k20 that has the original 350 in it. I want to know if it has a roller cam or not. I know the block is set up for a roller cam but they didn’t always receive them. Is there any way to tell if it has a roller cam without opening the engine up?


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[Honky Kong jr]

I have an 87 k20 that has the original 350 in it. I want to know if it has a roller cam or not. I know the block is set up for a roller cam but they didn’t always receive them. Is there any way to tell if it has a roller cam without opening the engine up?


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I thought if it was TBI it’s was roller but I could be mistaken.

 

[87silveradok20]

I thought if it was TBI it’s was roller but I could be mistaken.

I haven’t heard that but it’s possible. Maybe someone will chime in that knows


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[Honky Kong jr]

Hey @bucket or Jesse

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

The sure fire way to tell is the lifters, but the rockers would probably different, too. The one on the right is a flat tappet rocker. I don't know what a factory one would have looked like because the one on the left is aftermarket. It's likely not. They started phasing those in with higher performance vehicles if I'm not mistaken.

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[Honky Kong jr]

The sure fire way to tell is the lifters, but the rockers would probably different, too. The one on the right is a flat tappet rocker. I don't know what a factory one would have looked like because the one on the left is aftermarket. It's likely not. They started phasing those in with higher performance vehicles if I'm not mistaken.

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In the LS maybe I’ve never seen roller rockers on earlier then LS engines stock. But then again I’ve never played with Vette stuff so idk about them.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I haven't seen them on the old stuff either. I've only messed with the old flat tappet stuff. I'm pretty certain the valve covers are gonna have to come off at the least.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I haven't seen them on the old stuff either. I've only messed with the old flat tappet stuff. I'm pretty certain the valve covers are gonna have to come off at the least.

If you have a bore scope you could look down in the valley with a valve cover off. I think the rockers are gonna look the same wether it’s flat tapper or roller

 

[ajd89]

I think read somewhere the police cars got the roller stuff forsure.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I think read somewhere the police cars got the roller stuff forsure.

Because donuts.......

 

[ajd89]

Roller versus flat tappet cams. All 1987 blocks have the provisions for the roller cam just the trucks didn’t get them. However in some 93, all 1994 and 1995 engines GM stopped drilling and tapping the bolt holes in the those provisions in the block according to tbichips website. I though he seemed to know what he' talking about last time I went though his site

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I stand corrected
https://www.google.com/amp/www.hotr...mall-block-chevys-came-stock-roller-cams/amp/

 

[ajd89]

Because donuts.......

doing donuts or eating them? Or both!?

 

[Honky Kong jr]

doing donuts or eating them? Or both!?

Eating and having a speedy way to get to them while still fresh.

 

[bucket]

Roller versus flat tappet cams. All 1987 blocks have the provisions for the roller cam just the trucks didn’t get them. However in some 93, all 1994 and 1995 engines GM stopped drilling and tapping the bolt holes in the those provisions in the block according to tbichips website. I though he seemed to know what he' talking about last time I went though his site

That's mostly correct. Cars got them, trucks did not. I'm unsure of what year trucks did start to get them, it might have been '96. They had them for sure by then.

And not all '87 and later blocks have provisions for a roller cam. I'm talking no standoffs or anything, not just holes tapped. But, most were setup for a roller cam.