Author Topic: Flat tappet cam in 360 magnum block,and need 408 stroker builder  (Read 2086 times)

Offline femtnmax

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Flat tappet cam in 360 magnum block,and need 408 stroker builder
« on: October 09, 2009 - 09:54:44 PM »
Sounds a little backwards, but I guess I'm sorta old school.  Will a flat tappet cam/lifters fit in the roller cam block?  For the roller cam block I know the lifter bores are taller and oiling is thru the pushrods.  I'm alread planning on magnum cylinder heads so the oiling is no problem.  As long as the pushrods don't hit the tall lifter bores sounds like it should work, but what am I missing?
I have some nice flat tappet cams I'd like to use, and would have the option of roller cam if I chose to go that route.

On ebay is detroitcomp selling 408 short blocks for $2700.  I have no prior experience with them.  They offer Ross pistons, eagle crank & rods, and CNC machining.
Who would you recommend to buy a 408 short block from?   No matter where I buy one, the first thing I'll do is tear it completely down and measure/check everything.
Phil




Offline UKcuda

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Re: Flat tappet cam in 360 magnum block,and need 408 stroker builder
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2009 - 04:57:21 AM »
I think the flat tappet cam and lifters will work with a Magnum block.

If you are also using the Magnum heads you need lifters and pushrods that allow oiling through them.  When they put Magnum heads on LA blocks they use AMC lifters for that reason.  Most aftermarket push rods I've seen are hollow anyway.  I don't know about push rod length, probably will not be quite the same as LA.

Some of the cams are drilled at the center bearing.  They need that for the LA but not for the Magnum.  The Magnum doesn't care whether the bearing is drilled or not.

LA cams also have a longer snout to allow for the mechanical fuel pump eccentric drive.  Magnums use an electric pump so the timing cover has no facility to mount a pump and the cam is shorter.

I've seen it written that if you use the longer LA style cam with a Magnum timing cover the cam is too long and will hit the cover.  In my own experience this is incorrect, the cover is deep enough.
 
'72 'cuda

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Flat tappet cam in 360 magnum block,and need 408 stroker builder
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2009 - 02:23:02 PM »
which roller cam block are you using ??
the 88-92 LA is a roller block & would allow either shaft rockers or the ball stud / magnum heads .
I agree with everything UK said above
I have no recomendations on where to buy short block stroker , we build our own here

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline femtnmax

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Re: Flat tappet cam in 360 magnum block,and need 408 stroker builder
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2009 - 03:16:10 PM »
which roller cam block are you using ??
the 88-92 LA is a roller block & would allow either shaft rockers or the ball stud / magnum heads .
I agree with everything UK said above
I have no recomendations on where to buy short block stroker , we build our own here
Sounds like the 88-92 blocks are drilled for oil to cylinder head shaft rocker.  I don't mind building one from scratch, but the machine shop work around here is terrible.  If its not one thing then its something else half a$$.
Phil

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Flat tappet cam in 360 magnum block,and need 408 stroker builder
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2009 - 03:19:18 PM »
the 88-92 blocks are drilled for shaft rocker arms

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t