.903 lifters in small block chevy

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hbps1978
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.903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by hbps1978 »

I have a standard production "010" casting 4 bolt main journal small block 350 chevy block out of a 1972 corvette, was originally an L-82 engine block. I bought a set of Crower #66290H .903" diameter roller lifters and I also have a set of Crower #66374 .875: diameter solid roller lifters. Can I have my lifter bores enlarged for either set of lifters without installing bushings in the lifter bores? Do I need to run bushings with either set of these lifter? I'm building a bracket race engine and have never ran the larger diameter lifters. Thanks to all ahead of time :D
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by CNC BLOCKS »

hbps1978 wrote:I have a standard production "010" casting 4 bolt main journal small block 350 chevy block out of a 1972 corvette, was originally an L-82 engine block. I bought a set of Crower #66290H .903" diameter roller lifters and I also have a set of Crower #66374 .875: diameter solid roller lifters. Can I have my lifter bores enlarged for either set of lifters without installing bushings in the lifter bores? Do I need to run bushings with either set of these lifter? I'm building a bracket race engine and have never ran the larger diameter lifters. Thanks to all ahead of time :D

Should be no problem with either lifter, I would go with the .903 lifter and fit them to .0014 t0 .0019 the smaller size would be the best where those lifter bores are short. The .875 lifter uses a .750 wheel and the .903 uses either a 810 or 812 wheel.

No need for bushing if the lifters are fit correctly.

On Crower .903 lifters measure above axel and measure 90 degrees from there as I had some issues with 3 sets not being round.
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by hbps1978 »

Thanks a bunch Carl
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by wyrmrider »

agree with carl
by fitting check the oil supply, you do not want to uncover the lifter oil gallery where bushings allow you to oil in the most appropriate place
Crower also makes a .927 with an .850 wheel
BVVC if small base circle
have you asked Crower?
bottom line bushing is not necessary unless oil passage is uncovered
whose cam? (grinder needs to know)
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by Adger Smith »

Been there, done that.. no problems
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by CNC BLOCKS »

wyrmrider wrote:agree with carl
by fitting check the oil supply, you do not want to uncover the lifter oil gallery where bushings allow you to oil in the most appropriate place
Crower also makes a .927 with an .850 wheel
BVVC if small base circle
have you asked Crower?
bottom line bushing is not necessary unless oil passage is uncovered
whose cam? (grinder needs to know)

I think you will find that Crower makes a .937 lifter not a .927 lifter.

With a standard cam core you will not have any issues, I have guys running 55MM cam cores and .904 liftes and no issues but at max lift the oil band of the lifter does sometimes go up to the top of the oil galley hole but so far has not caused any problems.
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by Bucky »

The only problem I almost had with a standard cam is the room between the lobes. That is pretty darn tight with the .903's. I make it, but not by much. The cam has be be in there just right and not move much.
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by CNC BLOCKS »

Bucky wrote:The only problem I almost had with a standard cam is the room between the lobes. That is pretty darn tight with the .903's. I make it, but not by much. The cam has be be in there just right and not move much.

When you tell the grinder what size lifter and what size wheel your using they will side cut the lobes for clearance and will gind the cam for the wheel size being used.
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by ingram »

Make sure the cam profiles are indeed designed for the roller wheel diameter. Many times they are not.
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by Racer X »

Should be no problem. just put the block in a Lifter Tru Fixture and drill the bores out to .904 . Years ago when we ran a WISSOTA B mod the rulebook said "No Sleeveing the lifter bores" but didn't say anything about useing larger then stock lifters some guys who where alittle quicker then i just re drilled the lifter bores and instead of sleeving the bores they just ran FORD (.875) Lifters. :lol:
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by 1fast10 »

I have a similar question.I have shp SBC block with standard lifter bores been thinking of upgrading to .903 is it worth it and what's the general cost.will be a 421 inch motor.spin 7800-8200 and we are running a .950 core cam .using callies xd rods
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by Racer X »

I think i read somewhere in a hot rod mag. it's worth 15-20 hp maybe more with your combo. =P~ [-o<
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by CNC BLOCKS »

1fast10 wrote:I have a similar question.I have shp SBC block with standard lifter bores been thinking of upgrading to .903 is it worth it and what's the general cost.will be a 421 inch motor.spin 7800-8200 and we are running a .950 core cam .using callies xd rods

I don't know if there is any power gain but reliabilty is much better with the bigger body, bigger wheel and axel. Plus most of the std. roller lifters run .841 which is .001 plus smaller then OEM lifters.

If I machine a block and doing all the work I charge 250.00 to up grade the lifter bores. And I want lifter there to fit them to the bores, Between companies there seems to be a .002 differance as there does not seem to be and standard on lifter sizes.
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by Bucky »

Bullet told me my old cam profile would the fine with the .903's. I use offset lifters, so the bigger body and hope of longer life was great with me. Carl fit the block for them, and after one season, they look like they just were unwrapped. The .903 lifter is more money, but hopefully they will last long enough to be worth the investment.
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Re: .903 lifters in small block chevy

Post by hbps1978 »

Thnaks for the information about the camshaft also. I called Eagle Racing Engines in Loudon TN which is the nearest shop that can do this for me and they charge $275 to modify the lifter bores. I will call my camshaft grinder and let them know about the .903 lifters I have with the .812 axel. Thanks again for all of the great information.
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