is it worth the extra price to put a roller cam in a non-roller 289 block?

what are the advantages?

 

Depends on how much you want that original 289 block. If the block itself isn't that important to you (as it might be in a GT or K code car, or concourse resto), then you're much better off with a late model 5.0 roller block.

Conversion setups are expensive and there aren't many off the shelf grinds available. With a roller block it's much easier to find the grind you want and not have to fuss with expensive conversion parts. Chances are you can even reuse the factory roller lifters.

 

Yeah, it's way easier and cheaper to go with a factory roller block. Those conversion lifters are like $400 a set for JUST the lifters, give or take. And there is a rather limited selection of conversion cams for SBF. If you want to keep the original 289 and have something that makes good power and can be driven every day, then you might wanna spend the money on a roller setup, otherwise, if the block is worth something, store it off and put a later model 5.0 in it with a factory roller setup. That's what I did, and my cam, lifters and pushrods combined were still prolly less than the cost of just a set of conversion lifters.

 

get a roller block don't waste money on converting the 289 block..what's mentioned ablove is correct......go late model roller block get the conversion 3 bolt 50 oz balancer and 50 oz c-4 flexplate if you have an auto tranny and a roller cam and lifters and you'll probably be into it cheaper then the whole deal to convert your 289 to a roller cam set up

 

Agree with all those above to go straight to the late model roller block. In addition to cost savings and ease, you get a one-piece rear main seal. I had a roller cam in a '69 351W block and it was a beast. Like others said, it cost dearly to go that route, though some of the cost was from it being a custom grind, not an off the shelf product.

Good luck!
Jeff

 

Yeah, I forgot about the 1 piece rear seal too, so yeah...yay @ no rear seal leaks.

 

Do not forget toput a 50oz harmonic balancer and flywheel and purchase an aftermarket harmonic balancer pulley. Very easy swap.

 

well the 289 block has already had all the maching done on it, i reckon ill just stick with hyd. lifters and just run a pretty nasty cam

 

you could use your stock water pump and pulleys from the 289 on the roller and you could use a v belt system. it becomes a little more complex if your gona go serpentine (sp?)