Yes, you can use a retrofit lifter kit (lifter guides "dog bones" and lifter retainer "spider") to convert to standard factory-type roller lifters. The kit must be retrofit, not stock roller block parts or kit, to fit a non-roller block properly. This option allows specific small-base roller cams, which are fine, but limit your choices. IMO if exploring this path, I would first see what available cams appeal to you, or options for a more expensive custom retro grind. If you can find a grind that fits your build plan, then check total costs and kits (including pushrods and timing set, etc) before hitting the go button. The actual conversion kits (bones and spider) are cheap.

The easy and likely cheaper alternative is to use an existing roller block and parts, with any common 5.0HO-GT/5.8 compatible roller cam. There are other considerations if using a roller block, not related to the cam. Balance your options and goals, and go for it!

 

The kit must be retrofit, not stock roller block parts or kit, to fit a non-roller block properly.

I have a reduced base circle roller cam in my 289 and always thought that the retrofit roller parts (lifters, dog bones and spider) were standard roller block stuff and that the reduced base circle cam made it a retrofit kit. Is it the spider that is different then, with shorter arms to be used in combination with lower/shorter lifter bores?

 

Easier to pick up a 5.0 and use that, already has a roller cam. Plenty of them out there or order one like he wants.

 

Easier to pick up a 5.0 and use that, already has a roller cam.

That was Plan A, when he found out his existing roller block was bad. And it was Plan B, when he found out his second roller block was bad. It's still Plan C, but....

Plenty of them out there

....this part is somewhat less true than it was just 3-4 years ago. Most likely it's still the right solution, but we are weighing Plan D in case it becomes necessary.

 

How about a junkyard Explorer 5.0 engine?

 

Indeed.

 

Is it the spider that is different

The roller block spider is for blocks with cast-in pedestals, the non-roller block spider is not. Examples - Comp Cams 31-1000CPG vs 35-1001.

 

I thought I knew everything about these engines, but apparently there's still more to learn

 

I have seen the holes for the retrofit kits crack out and ruin a couple of engines. Not great IMHO.

 

I have seen kits with spacers/standoffs to fill-in for the pedestals (retainer mounting bosses) on non-roller blocks, but have no info for how well those worked. The small base circle cams are required to lower the lifters in the shorter non-roller lifter bores. The alternative is shorter link-bar lifters of course, that are then compatible with standard base-circle cams. Somebody was making shorter Ford-style roller lifters at one time, but I haven't seen or heard of them for a while.

I have seen the holes for the retrofit kits crack out and ruin a couple of engines.

I think that's what happens if you use a stock roller retainer on a non-roller block, but I don't have info or data to back that up. Just rumors I've heard and hunches on my end. 🤷‍♂️

 

Makes you wonder why nobody has made a lifter with a bottom that looks like......

 

That would certainly negate the need for a cam retainer plate if the lobes were grooved for it.

 

I don't think the radius would 'hydroplane' on the oil film as well as a wide and flat-ish roller wheel? Perhaps if the cam lobes were cupped or channeled to gain that effect. Hmm.

 

<edited> That's freaking genius! I'm going to market that, Woodchuck, and I'm gonna make HUNDREDS of dollars!

 

You're such as killjoy...

 

Spoil sport!

Sorry guys, I'll go back and fix it!

 

where do you live? i have a few spare std bore roller blocks in the garage.

 

On a FB group I recommend to someone to call a cam company and let them chose the grind. I specifically mentioned Howards Cams. Several people responded whom also bought cams from Howards and recommend them. All of them bought flat tappet cams from them without any issues. One person said he asked about flat tappet issues and said Howards kind of laughed it off with their products

 

well I had a Howards cam get wiped, so it can and does happen.

 

delete

 

My friend is building up a 347 for his Mustang. Just found out the block he has is cracked so we are looking for a replacement.

We talked about converting a flat tappet engine for a roller cam. I know about the $600+ link bar lifters.

Is there a clean way to use a stock spider hold-down and stock roller lifters? From a quick search, I found some old posts on another Ford forum talking about reduced-base-circle cams (and then of course an argument about whether those are OK or not).

Are there any other reasonable conversion options to get to a roller cam? Perhaps someone has gotten creative and made shorter roller lifters that will fit between a normal cam and the spider?

Live alittle and get an aluminum block from Bill Mitchell Products, a BMP 087510 block.

 

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