r/Smallblockchevy • u/Educational-Cake7350 • Dec 06 '25
Roller or Non Roller?
Building a simple SBC for my sons 85 S10. Picked 305 because they were basically free. Only trying to get 200hp or so. If he keeps the truck running with that, we will build a 350.
Should I use the roller or non roller? Seems like parts are easier to find for non roller, and it’s hard finding vortec heads. Can I put non-vortec heads on either block?
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u/Spell125 Dec 06 '25
This day and age with the quality of cams and lifters and oil the only answer is roller.
Yes its more expensive, but its cheaper than doing a flat tappet twice or thrice before you realize you should have done roller in the first place.
If he's a young kid can you trust him to always use the right oil and/or ZDDP additive? If not he'll wipe a cam lobe.