Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - Does anyone have a set of Retro fit SBC roller lifters?

I am wanting to swap my setup over to hydro roller but I need a set of retro fit roller lifters to use in my non-roller block, the ones with the tie-bars.
I can't afford to buy all new to make this swap happen so I was hoping that someone might have a used set laying around they would want to sell.
I know this is a long shot but I figured I would try.

Man, most people want to sell the good ones that are 4-500 a set and they go for 2-300 used. Get the cheap set for 250-300 used if you arent going over 6500 RPM.

I am really hoping that I can find a good set used, so far that hasn't been easy.

Yea, it wont be, Ebay is your best bet and since there are so many people looking for a set, the price still goes up too much.

That is why i use the 87 up SBC blocks. They use original equipment roller lifters and they are cheap, i steal them out of LT1s, 305 engines and L98 corvette motors all day. The retainers work forever, so if you got the retainer setup a new set of AC delco lifters are about 100$.

Might want to go that direction if possible.

Competition Products carries a retofit set from Howards for 269.95. I know people who have used Howards products and have no issues. Here is the link

http://competitionproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=91164

ZONES89RS,
I do have one good roller block that is a 4 bolt main 350, but it is just the block, I just don't want to go thru the expense of building a new motor just to use the factory roller stuff, besides if I can retro fit my 406 it will have more HP potential I think.

87Silverbullet,
Thanks for the link, if I can't find a used set then I will have to save up the money to get some of those.

Do either of you know what all I will need for setting up the roller cam? I know that I will need a roller bushing, thick timing cover. Will I need to use some sort of shim or thrust washer to set up the end play of the cam??

Do either of you know what all I will need for setting up the roller cam? I know that I will need a roller bushing, thick timing cover. Will I need to use some sort of shim or thrust washer to set up the end play of the cam??


http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/148_0307_converting_hydraulic_roller_cam/index.html

why not just drill the block to fit the retainer ?

I didn't know that could actually be done.

I also thought that the lifter bore area were higher than the roller blocks.

why not just drill the block to fit the retainer ?

His block would have to be the block with the 3 nubs sticking up in the lifter valley to use the factory roller set up found in 1 pc rear main seal blocks.

No, you can actually make the stock OE roller stuff work on any older small block. Just still need to use a cam button and thrust plate.

Thats what I was thinking Zone, that I couldn't use any of the factory stuff.

Never knew that. How do you mount the spider piece?

Just requires some drilling and tapping. I would have a machine shop do it, but you can do it yourself if you are confident enough.

Zone, I thought there were some other differences in the top of the lifter bores, I thought that the factory roller ones were milled down further so the dogbone retainers would fit flat and keep the lifters from coming out of the dogbones?? Am I wrong??

you can do it you will have to drill some holes for the lifter tray and grind on them to clear the block but it can work since i did it in a .060 400 sbc

Exactly.

Hmmmm, so the dogbone lifter retainers will work in a old non roller block without any mods?? Other than drilling and taping for the spider tray??

Well, some grinding needs to be done for the dog bone too.

If you have pictures of that 406 block converted to fit factory hydraulic roller lifters and retainers I sure would like to see them. Thats very interesting.

Yes, pics would help a ton!