I have a 351 motor that is not a roller. I laid a spyder that holds the lifters in line from a 302 and it fits. Is there any reason I could not just tap the block to hold the spyder and then use a roller cam and lifters in it?

 

Maybe have to use a cam with a smaller base circle?

I understand if you put a OEM type roller cam and lifters in a non roller block, a oil hole in the side of the lifter comes out the top of the non roller lifter bore.

I have not seen this myself, but have read it a couple of times and it kind of makes sense.

 

^^^^Correct. Small base circle (reto-fit) cam with stock roller lifters and spider OR standard roller cam with link bar lifters

Also unless you have a reto fit cam custom ground, theres not a big variety of "off the shelf" cams

 

Not a cheap conversion.

Custom roller cam or expensive link bar lifters.

 

If you can use an off the shelf, its not too bad. Otherwise, its not too cheap

 

Link Bar lifters have come down significantly, actually. Its the route I am going on my 69' 351 block. There are still the big cocks out there selling them for 450.00, but if you do some research, you can find them out there for around 300.00, new.

 

or barely used for $175 bucks

 

I made a non roller into a roller and had no problems . I did use a small base circle cam I bought used and the motor ran very well with no problems . Custom cam grinds are surprizingly not much more than an off the shelf cam . I used stock rollers with a stck lifter retainer . The cam I used came out of a 347 , and I put it in a 306 . Tommy should be able to vouch for it . He knows the motor I'm talking about

 

Damn AB...where've been? Everything good?

 

There in no performance difference in either way....unless your going to spin the motor up high....then link bar lifters are suppose to be more stable.