Will I be able to use a standard hydraulic Non-roller cam in an lt-1 block ?
My brother has one he will give me to put in my wifes carbed lt-1. We will be redoing the entire valvetrain to suit. My main concern is how the cam stays in place without the retainer plate and if it will fit the stock timing chain.

-Shannon

 

The SBC cam has a flat snout. The LT1's is turned down for the cam retainer. Not sure if it will walk out of there.

 

What about a cam button ? WTF ever that is ?

Couldn't I just turn down the snout of the standard cam to fit the plate also ?

-Shannon

 

IM pretty sure it wont work, the core of the block is different and the cam gear and lobes are also different i think.

 

An lt1 is an 86 up block.

The cam would fit and work properly, problem is keeping it in there, not sure how...machining the cam sounds like it would work, but at that point, why not buy a new cam if its gonna cost you $50~ just to machine it

 

Well, the cam is new. It just never made it's way into my brothers race car before he sold out of everything. It's the same profile he won way too many races with, so i've got confidence in that since the rest of the setup is pretty much the same. I won't be using the opti, or anything like that. Only thing is the timing chain being used.

I'll have to check on the machine work. I can prolly get away with $20 or so

-Shannon

 

I'm thinking now, that the SBC cam might be shorter in overall length. The SBC cam would normally be flush with the front of the block (same as where the LT1 cam retainer sits). So if the block dimensions are the same, there won't be enough of the SBC cam (assuming you have it machined) to stick out for the LT1 retainer to work. Does that make any sense?

I guess comparing the length of the cams is needed.

 

Just wondering outloud(or is it online?), but wouldn't the cam-driven water pump pose problems? Just wondering.

 

What about the cam dowel pin to drive the opti? I don't think older SBC cams even have a hole for that pin. I would just go with an LT1 cam, sounds like too much work and potential problems using an old style cam.

 

He's not using the opti.

 

the sbc and the lt1 specs are the same..
less the roller and retainer plate..
I am putting an LT1 cam in a standard sbc
that was a stock roller('87)..
a non roller cam does not need a retainer or cam button..
the shape of the cam lobe as it seats into a slightly concave
non-roller lifter keeps it in place..

therefore you "wouldn't use" the retainer with a non-roller cam..
but you'll also have to run an electric water pump..
use a standard cloyes sbc double roller timing chain set..

roller cams have a straight cut to keep the face the same
for the roller..which you "do need" a retainer or cam button for..

hope this helps..
Matt

 

That makes sense as to why I've never seen a cam button on a non roller engine.

Would the regular LT-1 timing chain present a problem ? I'm trying to keep everything stock on the water pump.

-Shannon

 

It's actually driven by the timing chain, which is driven by the cam, or is it the crank

-Shannon

 

Although the traditional sbc is shorter (1/16") it doesn't nearly equal the amount (15/64") the journal is turned down to accomodate the retention plate used on the LTx. So, although shorter, not enuf to prevent modding the sbc cam for use in the LTx roller block.

Lobe and gear positioning is the same. A sbc is a sbc. The LTx is still a sbc.

How else do they locate (accurately) the shaft on the gear? BTW, it's also in the same location.

 

As long as its a flat tappet, like mentioned above, he wont have to worry about the retainer plate...since the lobes are cut on an angle that keeps the cam from sliding out. Only other thing needed is longer pushrods