Installing the roller cam and AFR heads

(07/24/02) Since this is the first time I've done a roller cam retrofit, there was a bit of a learing curve to overcome.
I didn't take any pics of the cam going into the block, since it's just like any other cam install.

One of the things that's different with a roller is the need for something to take up the end play. That's what that white thrust button is for.
One of the other things that's needed is a wear plate or Torrington bearing between the cam gear and the block. I already had a Torrington (needle roller) bearing in place with the roller timing chain, so I was ok there.

Once the thrust button was in place, it caused a little clearance issue with the timing cover. Several methods of dealing with this were suggested by people who had been there and done that, including milling down the button or the cam gear...but I chose the one that I felt most qualified to handle.
I smacked the timing cover into submission with the BFH in the picture. I used an impact socket and "formed" a depression so that the cover would fit, yet keep the button (and the cam) in place. I also ordered an Edelbrock water pump with an adjustable back stop to make sure that the cover doesn't flex.

Then after soaking the roller lifter pairs in oil for a day or so, I test fit them. No problems, they slid right in. These are Comp Cams lifters, btw.

After all that, I removed the lifters, wiped out the excess oil and taped things up so that I could spray Duplicolor engine primer after a cleanup with lacquer thinner.

Then a couple of coats of shiny red engine enamel.

(07/29/02) And it was time to install the heads I had to special order a set of Fel-Pro head gaskets (part number 1014.)

So I sprayed 'em with copper gasket sealant, set them in place...

...and slapped one of the AFR heads in place. Then I put sealant on the threads and anti-seize on the washers for the ARP studs and bolted the head into place...

...and repeated the process on the other side. As you can see from the background of the pics, it was late (not to mention dark) by the time I got this done.

(07/30/02) The next day I popped one of the lifter pairs back in along with an adjustable pushrod length checker.

Hopefully this setting gives us the proper rocker geometry...

...because I ordered special-length pushrods, installed them and the Harland Sharp rocker arms and set the static valve lash.

I'm not sure if I'm going to use this Speed Demon carb on this motor or not...but it sure looks cool. Maybe I'll have to try to make it work just for the coolness factor.

And finally I got the powdercoated valve covers and air cleaner from Summit that had been on back order for a month or more.

This is where things have been for a while. Some health problems (gall bladder) have gotten in the way, but I haven't been totally at a standstill. I've ordered a few little items to strengthen the drivetrain. Like a cast aluminum rear end cover with bearing supports, a dual hump crossmember from G-force, a steel heavy-duty driveshaft from Denny's and a built-up TH200-4R transmission from Wade Austin. So all I need is the Torque Tech 3 inch exhaust and the dual CatCo catalytic converters....and maybe a few other little items...like new bushings and ball joints for the front end.

Next page: Refinishing the underside and rear end.

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