Depending on the brand and type of lifters, you might need to clearnace the bridging between paired lifter bores. You'll need shorter pushrods and may also have to clearance the pushrod holes in your heads. Call Kauffmans (www.krepower.com) or Butler, either can set you up with everything you need.
Thanks. Good idea. I thought there might be some machine work to the bearing bores in the block for clearance for the new bearings. It would just make sense for them to design it so they could be installed without any interferences if possible.
Also as John says, if the configuration is compatible with unaltered valve train geomerty, it can be a bolt in application, following traditioal stock building specks, without any alterations.
A roller cam requires roller lifters whether they be solid or hydraulic. The lifters are much taller, hence the shorter push rods.
You also need a different distributor gear unless you go with a Crane roller cam with pressed on cast gear. Note that the Crane profiles are not very popular with the Pontiac builders. Better than a bronze gear, get a composite gear, they wear 10 times longer.
Depending on how steep the lobe ramp is, you may or may not need a bore brace. You can easily go 600HP with a 455 before needing a brace. Again, contact one of the builders I listed above. Note that Kauffmans almost never answer the phone, but always return calls the same day, usually between 4-5pm est. They helped me with my setup and I'd use them again in a second.
Thanks for all the good info John. I don't have anything peticular in mind for the current motor. I'd heard there was easy power to be had with a roller and didn't really know what was involved. Just curious. One of those things that you stuff away in the back of your mind until someday. Like maybe for the next bird.
