[Stan65]

Just started looking into the retofit roller stuff for my current build. Just finished reading the entire thread. I have also watched some videos on the net. Has anyone cosidered making pontiac specific dog bones to be used with the Ford spider?

Couple questions for anyone who knows. What material is an original Small Block Chevy dog bone made out of? Like steel type or is it powdered metal etc. What rockwell hardness does it need to be?

Whats peoples thoughts on the double fork like the Ford vs the complete rings like the SBC?

I am looking for a SBC one to determine the harness and material if nobody knows off hand.

I am going to look into making a set with my local Machine/Fab shop.

If I go through with it, what would people be willing to pay for a set if they are NICE pieces. This will help with my buy in if I can sell a few.

Thanks,
Stuart "Stan" Landreth

[Singleton]

I’m not sure that you could sell many of those custom pieces. The whole point of the retro-fit is that all the parts are cheap and readily available over the counter at any parts store. Once you introduce custom one-off pieces or special lifters (gatorman), the whole affair starts to lose its appeal.

[Stan65]

Yes sir. Notch is for casting clearance. Will probably have to grind on the rear passenger bone for additional clearance. Will start test fitting these hopefully this weekend. There is a counter bore also to allow the “round” part of the lifter body to rise above the block casting without raising the bone up.

The material for these is 4140 prehard which has a 32RC hardness. The original small block Chevy bones I tested are 38RC. LS’s are some type of nylon so the wear is the concern more than the strength.

Any opinions or concerns are definitely welcome.

[Stan65]

The hard part is finding them. The actual LS lifter is different. You need to find the design in my picture. The give away is the oil hole.

These originally were for the 86-99 4.3, 5.0, and 5.7 Chevy roller motors. The first LS’s also used them. At some point they changed the oil hole location and those WILL NOT WORK.

They are a little tricky to find.

Stan.