GM BLOCK

[305chevy c-10]

thanks beastie_3 ............nice to know i have support

[Jim Rockford]

We should be a last resort, I mean come on do people not bother to even try and do anything for themselves anymore? I see frigging questions like "how do I change my oil?"  this place is for truck owners , but this is a simple question that doesn't need to be here.

[beastie_3]

Im done. Jim, I dont know what your problem is, but you have been leaving so many negative comments lately. Other people have seen it too and have sent me PMs about it. If you cant post something that helps the OP, then please dont post. We are not a last resort. A paid mechanic should be the last resort.

This place is to welcome people who have a interest in the trucks we drive or admire. We cant run them off because its easier to type google rather than putting the answer. The least you could do is tell the OP to use the search function because 1) it lets them know there is a search function, and 2) it gives them many posts that can be similar to what they are searching for.

[305chevy c-10]

well a simple question to u may not be a simple one for some else ............if u know little about motors ,then there are  no stupid questions ..............i have never even seen the inside of a dismantled engine so how would i know what flat or roller cams are ...........................................further  more if u don't what to answer a post intelligently ...........don't reply to them ............yeah this is a truck lovers forum .......but also its family that should help a fellow member who may not have the knowledge of a "do it your self mechanic "

[Jim Rockford]

OK since no one can search for it this is a roller cam 1 piece rear main block..

See the 3 little tits in the lifter valley, That is for the lifter bar hold down plate, that is the first clue its a roller cam block,
Virtually all 1986 and up  SBC blocks are rollers, You can install a flat tappet cam and GM did with almost every 87-95 tbi truck engine  while the cars got roller cams and not use the roller lifters and associated hardware but with today's oils its harder and harder to keep a flat tappet cam alive and not wind up with a $50.00 oil change every time you change it because you have to either use rottela or regular oil and have to add additive to the oil everytime. Alot of folks say you don't have to , but  they are running on luck and borrowed time.
This is a regular 85 and below flat tappet block which is also 2 piece rear main leak prone rear seal.

notice the lack of the three bosses in the lifter valley,  that means no roller cam unless you get a expensive aftermarket setup now 99.8 % of all flat tappet early blocks are 2 piece rear main seal but some 86 flat tappet block did get a 1 piece rear main seal. But they are kinda rare to find .mainly in trucks.
This is a 1 piece rear main seal adapter used on 87 and up engines.

and this is a 2 piece rear main seal block

You see how the seal is installed in the rear main bearing cap. Any questions.
This

[305chevy c-10]

cool...........thanks for the info ........thats why i like this forum .........this is what its all about ...........helping each other to understand ............i finished taking mine apart today .......but i can't get the lifters out ...........my rear seal is like the one with hands in the pic ....i just looked and my block has them three holes but their was no lifter hold down bar ............i know know that mine has flat tappet......but i will be rebuilt as a roller 383

[howlinwolf]

chevy whats with the  .... as spaces? j/c

[305chevy c-10]

lol..im assuming that my motor uses a long water pump reverse rot ....correct ....no water pump on it when i got it crank pulley and heads ,intake ....thinging running the cog belt set up ....has anyone done that one a 350/383

[Jim Rockford]

Only engines that run the rev rotation wp are the serpentine belt assys , The regular v belt assy's use a reg rotation WP.

[305chevy c-10]

my block had a serpentine crank pulley and no water pump

[KY..Rob]

Excellent post right their Jim, Lot's of good information.  305Chevy, Start saving those Penny's! 383 Rollers don't come cheap. But she will be Sweet when finished

[Jim Rockford]

well if you put v belts back on, use a regular water pump. If you get a serp setup. Make sure you get reverse rotation w/p and get the crank and wp pulley from the vehicle you are getting the setup from, Some vans had a stamped steel bracket  that has differnt depth pulleys vs the cast aluminum bracket on most 4.3 and 305,350 's  a 4.3 set will bolt on the SBC  if that is all you can find.

[305chevy c-10]

got block completely apart and cleaned for tranport to machine shop .......guy told me 225.00 hot tank, bore .030 retap holes out ,new freeze plugs ,magna flux .....wow building a roller is a pricey project ....i need to save everybody pennies ..........what kind of hp difference can be gained or lost  from a 377 verse 383 .....which is a 350 what?

[beastie_3]

a 350 what?

[305chevy c-10]

what makes a 377 ..........i was told a 350 could make a 377 instead of a 383 .....