TBI 350 lifter noise / Roller cam swap

[PlayingWithTBI]

Just an FYI - when I adapted my 88 from a Flat Tappet to a Roller Cam, I ordered the conversion kit with the old Style retainer plate but, my MR Goodwrench long block was built in ~2000 so, it turned out I needed the new style one.

 

[INW-Iron-Steel]

I gave that cam a close look. The distributor/oil pump drive gear looks alright. (Normally this
is harder than the dizzy gear, but with used parts you never can be 100% sure.)

On the other hand, of the 16 lobes, the lobe that's closest to this gear is the only one that caught my eye?

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#8 exhaust lobe? Is this glint an artifact of the lighting, or does the area between the used & unworn
areas catch a fingernail?

I think that is a bit of artifact from the lighting. I ran my nail across each of the lobes but I will go check it again here shortly and snap a picture of that lobe!

Depending on what you solution is for sourcing a set of OEM LS7 roller lifters (OEM LS7 sets of 16 on offer)
you are going to invest a little. Based upon @BeXtreme's experience over HERE what about having this cam
reground to what you want + new set of LS7 lifters, along with a little cost avoidance by using Schurkey's suggestion
on the previously enjoyed timing set?

Done correctly, you could end up with a reground cam / new LS7 lifter setup that would be quiet, stay quiet, and
assuming regular ongoing maintenance, have something that you could reuse in a different engine down
the road after this one is at the end of service life?

Just curious. If I am lucky enough to be able to justify getting into the quiet L29 in my chore truck, I was
seriously considering regrinding the existing cam per the positive word of mouth elsewhere in this forum.

Great thread by the way.

Best of luck with whatever you decide --

Regrinding the cam is a seriously good option. I wasn't really considering that before. I am thinking I will just plop this one in for now, and I am okay leaving a bit of power on the table. I am not planning on tuning it (for now). If the engine holds together I'll probably opt for a new aftermarket cam (I think the HT383 cam looks pretty nice). Or... I will just find a solid short block to rebuild and put my heads on, and I will get a new camshaft then. Thanks for the input!

Oh, and the timing set on the yard motor was not a keeper. That chain was super sloppy!

 

[INW-Iron-Steel]

Here's a close-up of that lobe closest to the gear at the back. My phone's camera seriously sucks!

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[PlayingWithTBI]

Here's a close-up of that lobe closest to the gear at the back

Hell, I'd send it but, lately I've been know to make errors in judgement.

 

[rebelyell]

Suggest first super clean lobe & journal surfaces with brake/carb cleaner; eliminating varnish traces (in-between doesn't matter) --- then take that cam to local auto machine shop --- one that routinely grinds & polishes crankshafts --- ask them to Both inspect cam And mirror-polish it. Suggest do Not break-in high-polish roller lobes with synthetic.

 

[INW-Iron-Steel]

Hell, I'd send it but, lately I've been know to make errors in judgement.

I'm just gonna send it! But, same... Wish I could change the quote under my photo from "I'm Awesome" to "Hard on parts" because, well...

 

[someotherguy]

I'm just gonna send it! But, same... Wish I could change the quote under my photo from "I'm Awesome" to "Hard on parts" because, well...

Click on profile, under "Account details" you will see "Custom title"

Richard

 

[INW-Iron-Steel]

Okay, dumb question, but I am ordering parts and need some help with the timing marks/timing tab location. I am aware that there are three different possible timing tab locations. But, I thought all mid-80's up SBCs used the 12 O' clock timing location, as seen here in this photo.

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The one on my 93 appears to use the 2 O' clock timing tab location, like the following image

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Here's a shot of mine as it sits on the 93.

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Ordering a new balancer/dampener and don't want to deal with the timing marks being off!

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

But, I thought all mid-80's up SBCs used the 12 O' clock timing location, as seen here in this photo.

Maybe 80 - 86 but, FWIU ours are all like yours in the 2nd picture.

Here's my original Mr Goodwrench 350 TBI with the peanut Flat Tappet cam (after ~20 years).

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Here's my 88 350 with the roller cam upgrade at TDC.

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And my Vortec style "383".

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[Schurkey]

My '88 K1500 had the "12:00" timing tab and damper when I bought it. There's a hole in the "steel horsecollar" accessory bracket to shine the timing light through...behind the water pump...down to the damper/indicator. That hole is just to the right of the belt tensioner as seen from the front.

The Vortec plastic timing cover has the indicator molded-in to the right side as seen from the front.

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