is it worth finding a roller block?
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Sparks, NV
is it worth finding a roller block?
yes ive searched but i guess all my key words dont come up with what i want.
what are the pros and cons of finding a 351 roller block? i can see the use of most oils with a lower zinc content and things a flat tappet needs to survive.
going to a wrecking yard friday and snagging a block for cheap.
this is going to be a truck motor for life, wont see anything past 4000 if i even let it rev that high.
tell me what you think if getting a roller block would be worth it versus a more common flat tappet
what are the pros and cons of finding a 351 roller block? i can see the use of most oils with a lower zinc content and things a flat tappet needs to survive.
going to a wrecking yard friday and snagging a block for cheap.
this is going to be a truck motor for life, wont see anything past 4000 if i even let it rev that high.
tell me what you think if getting a roller block would be worth it versus a more common flat tappet
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
regular 5.8 block would be fine in your case. the benefit in my mind with the roller cam is how smooth the power comes on. very quiet as well. i also think the cam profile is better in stock form compared to what the flat tappet blocks were running.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
You will benefit from a greater selection of cams and reduced rotational friction. Roller cams in general produce slightly broader power curves than a flat tappet with the same duration, but you can get the same HP and TQ from a flat tappet with slightly different specs, and on the street it would be difficult to feel a difference if you were to compare vehicles with a motor of each type. If you can find a complete 5.8 roller motor with relatively low miles and you don't mind paying up to $300 for a cam then it's a good option. If you can only find an older block then the money you save on the cam can go into better pistons or something.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,232
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From: NE Texas
As far as the zinc issue, it is easily handled by using one of the Universal grade oils easily found most anywhere oil is sold. My favorite is Chevron Delo 400, but Shell Rotella T and Mobil Delvac are also very good oils.
They have recently cut the amount of zinc, but they still have enough for a cam and lifters that are well broken in. Use Comp or Crane break in lube for the break in, and then use half a can of it with each oil change using one of the above oils. After 20,000 miles or so, you will be okay with the straight Universal grade oil without the break in lube.
They have recently cut the amount of zinc, but they still have enough for a cam and lifters that are well broken in. Use Comp or Crane break in lube for the break in, and then use half a can of it with each oil change using one of the above oils. After 20,000 miles or so, you will be okay with the straight Universal grade oil without the break in lube.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
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From: British Columbia
In your first post you said that you will be getting a block for cheap. Do you mean that there is one you have already chosen? If you have a few to choose from, you might as well take a roller block if available cheap.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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If you plan on running this motor many years a roller cam block may save you long term by lasting longer... I have seen some of these roller cam blocks take a long life of beatings and just keep running! Could be the larger oil passages.....
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Boise, Idaho
I'd get a roller 351 every time.
In re: the ZDDP; last I heard, the red STP Oil Treatment for four cylinder engines has the kind of ZDDP you want. Look on the googles to find the motorcycle site that did the analysis of the various sources of ZDDP. GM EOS is another possible source.
I absolutely would not be using Delo or other oils formulated for diesel engines - wrong kind of ZDDP.
In re: the ZDDP; last I heard, the red STP Oil Treatment for four cylinder engines has the kind of ZDDP you want. Look on the googles to find the motorcycle site that did the analysis of the various sources of ZDDP. GM EOS is another possible source.
I absolutely would not be using Delo or other oils formulated for diesel engines - wrong kind of ZDDP.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Sparks, NV
yes, i found a roller block 351W in a junkyard and told the wreckers not to junk it.
-one last question before i make my decision; where can i get an actual camshaft for the 94+ roller block? i only find retrofit camshafts like this Crane Cam
Crane Cams 449541 - Crane PowerMax Retrofit Camshafts - summitracing.com
not too sure if it would fit all 351 years (isnt the base circle bigger on a roller cam?)
if anybody can point me at a website/shop that has a bigger selection of cams for this year engine, that will be it for deciding on a 351 block
-one last question before i make my decision; where can i get an actual camshaft for the 94+ roller block? i only find retrofit camshafts like this Crane Cam
Crane Cams 449541 - Crane PowerMax Retrofit Camshafts - summitracing.com
not too sure if it would fit all 351 years (isnt the base circle bigger on a roller cam?)
if anybody can point me at a website/shop that has a bigger selection of cams for this year engine, that will be it for deciding on a 351 block
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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Is this block a 94 or 95? Ford Racing Performance Parts camshafts state they work in 94+95 roller 351s. The E303 is a good towing cam... If you want a stock replacement RockAuto or other auto parts stores will have them... Good Luck!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Go to summit racing and search for camshafts, specify "Ford", "Camshafts", "Hydraulic Roller Tappets", and "ford small block windsor". All the cams listed (107 of them)will fit in the 5.8 roller block.. except those marked "retrofit", you obviously don't want those with the non-HO firing order either.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
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From: British Columbia
How much does the junkyard want for the engine? Is it a complete running engine or just a block? Is it missing the cam? Some recommend to keep the stock cam and add 1.7 ratio "Cobra" roller rocker arms.
If by "actual camshaft for the 94+ roller block" you mean a stock cam for this engine, you could probably get a cheap used one from one of this site's members who has upgraded. It is kosher to reuse roller cams and even mismatch the roller lifters. Another advantage of roller cams.
If by "actual camshaft for the 94+ roller block" you mean a stock cam for this engine, you could probably get a cheap used one from one of this site's members who has upgraded. It is kosher to reuse roller cams and even mismatch the roller lifters. Another advantage of roller cams.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
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Go to summit racing and search for camshafts, specify "Ford", "Camshafts", "Hydraulic Roller Tappets", and "ford small block windsor". All the cams listed (107 of them)will fit in the 5.8 roller block.. except those marked "retrofit", you obviously don't want those with the non-HO firing order either.
I found a spot to buy Ford Racing camshafts for cheap, but they are all 5.0 camshafts, how would they work in a 351W? They are about 1/2 price compared to those at Summit.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
The 302 and 351 roller blocks use the same cams, that's why I didn't say to specify an engine size in the search, just "ford small block windsor".
Camshafts - summitracing.com
Camshafts - summitracing.com
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 548
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From: Sparks, NV
thanks for the link conanski
this is a '95 block and is roller ready correct?
the engine is all assembled and should run with a quick look around.
thanks for the help guys, i'll be staying with the roller block
this is a '95 block and is roller ready correct?
the engine is all assembled and should run with a quick look around.
thanks for the help guys, i'll be staying with the roller block