hey. so i had a quick question about different types of cams. i have a 85 chevy 350... i was told it has flat roller cams? and that the vortecs built later on have hydraulic roller cams... whats the difference there? and what do i have to do to convert it if i swap vortec heads for my current heads?
thanks,
moth423

 

your 85 should be a non roller motor. the vortecs are roller style. the 85 is just a typical flat tappet hydraulic lifter motor. you would need a new roller cam, roller lifters, the lifter retainers, pushrods for the vortec motor. check with summit racing, jegs and such, as you should be able to get all this in a kit.

the difference in roller vs flat is where the lifter contacts the cam at. your 85 is flat tappet style, meaning it is flat where cam hits it. rollers have a wheel basically, so when cam hits it, it's hitting the wheel of the lifter. less friction, more power.