LG4 Cam

[Stevoone]

I've been thinking about doing some engine work on my '87 T/A. I have a set of aluminum heads and an edelbrock intake I was going to install. I was also thinking about changing the cam while I'm that far into it.

Here is the problem. Originally 87 engines had a roller cam, but shortly after i bought the car I replaced the motor with a Jasper LG4 replacement. I guess to cut cost on there part they put in a regular hydraulic flat tappet cam instead of the roller. Should I convert it back to roller setup or try and stick with a flat tappet cam? There is a pretty big price difference in cam/lifter kits.

[V]

the factory block has tapped holes in the intake valley to mount the lifter "spider" retainer in order to use the stock roller lifters if it is a non-roller 305 block, those tapped holes are not there and youd have to go to an aftermarket set or roller lifters, just keep that in mind.

[Stevoone]

It has the bolt holes and all for a roller setup but for some reason they put a flat tappet cam in. I noticed it when I was installing the motor and probably should have said something to Jasper about it.

[S.J.SLEEPER]

order a set of roller lifters & cam from trick flow. will work real nice.

[deadtrend1]

there should also be bolt holes behind the timing chain for the cam retainer plate. Most early-mid 90 truck motors (LO5 for example) were roller blocks with Flat tappet cams.

[BigAls87Z28]

My L05 has a roller cam. I thought all flat tappets were out teh door after 86?

Does it have centerbolt valve covers? If it does, then its a roller block, so just get a roller cam.

[BonzoHansen]

My L05 has a roller cam. I thought all flat tappets were out teh door after 86?

Does it have centerbolt valve covers? If it does, then its a roller block, so just get a roller cam.

unless the heads have changed. lots of guys put vortecs on old blocks.

[BigAls87Z28]

Ok...well then thats a Vortec head, still has center bolt,a nd still use a roller cam.

This is a LG4 stock replacement engine. Unless someone swapped Vortec heads on it, its the stock stuff, and if its a LG4 replacment for an 87 Camaro, then it should be a roller motor.

[BonzoHansen]

yeah, but jasper screwed him

[chrisfrom nj]

i have a 305 roller block in a 92 camaro rs if you need the roller cam lifters and the retainers im looking for 25 if you pull it

[Stevoone]

It is a roller block but when it was rebuilt they installed a flat tappet cam. I have a set of aluminum vette heads and an intake I was going to throw on there and I was thinking about doing a cam while I was that far into it.

It's only a 305 so I didn't want to throw a lot of money at it. That's why I was thinking about sticking with a flat tappet cam.

[Tru2Chevy]

If you don't want to spend the extra money, you can toss an aftermarket flat tappet cam in there with no issues.

PM Sent

- Justin

[WildBillyT]

Ok...well then thats a Vortec head, still has center bolt,a nd still use a roller cam.

This is a LG4 stock replacement engine. Unless someone swapped Vortec heads on it, its the stock stuff, and if its a LG4 replacment for an 87 Camaro, then it should be a roller motor.

Not all center bolt heads are "Vortecs"... the ones that people like to swap on didn't come around until '96

Back on topic: If you don't really want to dump to much into this engine then throw in the flat tappet and call it a day. Just don't forget your oil additive!

[Tru2Chevy]

Not all center bolt heads are Vortecs...

He knows that....he was responding to Scott saying that a lot of guys stick Vortecs on older blocks.

- Justin