roller cam???

[mikepotts]

okay so ive got my hyd roller cam setup, the machine shop told me i need lash caps to keep the goemetry correct. my question is, did ford use lash caps on the roller motors factory? or did they have longer valves?

 

[mikepotts]

common... i now there are a bunch of ya'll have converted over to roller, did you use lash caps? and some of you have removed roller cams from motors to sell, did those have lash caps?

 

[4b316]

Mike,this is a bolt in deal.No lash caps from ford that I have ever seen,did he put in a new set of lifters?Made sure the lifters were pumped up?

 

[mikepotts]

thanks or replying! i was hoping you would see this, and answer. and i was hoping this woud be your reply. i havent got the new lifters or lash caps yet, but , in light of your reply i will be getting the new lifters and check it out w/o lash caps. David (my machinist) builds ALOT of 2300's for local dirt track racing, maybe this is something he does on the race motors. he is kind of odd, once he gets something in mind he gets stubborn, and insisted on me using lash caps.

anyhow, thanks again, i wll install the new lifters and followers... if everything looks good... so be it.

 

[tomw]

There is a cam and followers for sale on Craigslist for $50. What would I gain by installing it into my 1985 2.3? Is it significant, or just a smidge of torque/hp? I realize there would be less friction, but is it worth the effort
tom

 

[4b316]

On the dyno,you can pick up to 10 hp at 5000 according to grass roots magizine.I got to find that article again and post it on here,was really informative.That was a roller cam and stock header combo

 

[mikepotts]

There is a cam and followers for sale on Craigslist for $50. What would I gain by installing it into my 1985 2.3? Is it significant, or just a smidge of torque/hp? I realize there would be less friction, but is it worth the effort
tom

be careful what you buy... $50.00 sounds too cheap to me. i know, what do i mean "too cheap", aint no such thing, but be sure to check the parts out well. ive bought 2 sets of roller cams and followers from 4b316, who has replyed here, and i am absolutely tickled pink with the quality of parts he sells.

he might have another set right now.

 

[Mutant Pony]

By just swapping to the roller cam you won't gain any noticable performance gains. You will however loose the problem of the self distructing flat tappet cam. No more ticky tick! The wear of the flat tappet cam puts contamination in the oil that will reduce the life of the motor.
I think what the machice shop was getting at is that they didn't know how to properly machine the valves for the proper clearance. Racer Walsh has lash caps as does Esslinger. They are NOT factory pieces. They are to account for improper machining. Install the cam, Warm up the engine. If the tick hasn't completly gone away in 20 minutes you will probably need lash caps. They are not hard to put in, just pop a follower out, sit the lash cap in place, and pop the follower back in.

 

[mikepotts]

By just swapping to the roller cam you won't gain any noticable performance gains. You will however loose the problem of the self distructing flat tappet cam. No more ticky tick! The wear of the flat tappet cam puts contamination in the oil that will reduce the life of the motor.
I think what the machice shop was getting at is that they didn't know how to properly machine the valves for the proper clearance. Racer Walsh has lash caps as does Esslinger. They are NOT factory pieces. They are to account for improper machining. Install the cam, Warm up the engine. If the tick hasn't completly gone away in 20 minutes you will probably need lash caps. They are not hard to put in, just pop a follower out, sit the lash cap in place, and pop the follower back in.

i spoke to the machine shop again, he was confused between the hyd and solid cams i had available. and ive found other sources who stated in dyno tests they gained aprox. 10 hp with a roller swap... now i dont know weather it is due to less friction, or having a cam which is not destroying itself with every rotation... at any rate it was a gain, as to someone elses own personal results...

it is what it is.

 

[Mutant Pony]

I'm sure they did gain 10hp at 5000 Rpms. That is not something you'ld ever notice though. 10hp at 2000 rpms would be a completely different story.

 

[mikepotts]

I'm sure they did gain 10hp at 5000 Rpms. That is not something you'ld ever notice though. 10hp at 2000 rpms would be a completely different story.

well, this is true in my case since my 2.3 is in my DD ranger, but i have a local friend who runs a roller cammed 2.3 in his dune buggy which sees 5000 on a regular basis, so there are those who might see an actual gain... he actually told me tonite his buggy is making too much power, it is taking the fun out of riding since he is now gonna have to upgrade to better axles to try to make them last. nevertheless, i am sure you would agree the roller cams are well worth the cost of upgrading.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Yes! I highly recomend them!
I just don't want people to think they are going to be devistated by there new found power.
The reduced friction also slows oil breakdown. Once again increasing the life of your engine. Especially if you are a little slow at getting your oil changed.

 

[mikepotts]

i am expecting a HUGE difference in power! but not from the cam, in my case, ive replaced a ill runing 2.0 with a burned valve with a 2.3 roller... but i am reasonable. i agree, people doing a roller cam swap should keep in mind, they didnt do a 5.0 swap, its just a cam.

 

[Kenneth S]

I took out a "weak" 2.0 from a 83 ranger, and installed a 2.3 d-port that I rebuilt with a .030" over bore, stock roller cam, and a 350 holley 2 barrel, the difference was like night and day. My sister was surprised when the truck went from couldn't get out of it's own way to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear rubber.

 

[mikepotts]

I took out a "weak" 2.0 from a 83 ranger, and installed a 2.3 d-port that I rebuilt with a .030" over bore, stock roller cam, and a 350 holley 2 barrel, the difference was like night and day. My sister was surprised when the truck went from couldn't get out of it's own way to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear rubber.

im glad to hear! that is exactly what i am looking for.