When did the FWD go roller?

[Doward]

I'm trying to find out - did any 60 degree V6 get a roller cam/lifter combo? What years, in which engines?

Thanks!

[robby1870]

They started roller cam and lifters in 94 with the 3100. Any 660 after 94 has a roller cam

[Doward]

Ok, silly question... how will I know if an engine is a '3100' vs just a FWD 3.1? The intake and everything is still there.... A buddy of mine has a '95 (I think) 3.1 Grand Am that got wrecked that I might be able to score the engine for... If it's a roller cam design, I'll jump all over that.

[AaronGTR]

The 3100 and 3400 engines say "3100 SFI" and "3400 SFI" on the top of the intake manifold. A '95 grand am gt would have a 3100 engine in it.

[Doward]

Ok, thanks... Now to find specs on the 3100

[Doward]

Another quick question - the cam wouldn't have the distributor gear I need, I'm sure... so a custom camshaft would be needed in a RWD 3.1 application?

[SappySE107]

It does have the distributor gear on it to drive the oil pump. They kept the design even to the present pushrod 60V6 engines.

[RidgeRunner]

There is a gear on the camshaft since the oil pump is driven from the cam. However I seem to recall reading something about the roller camshaft and lifters not working well in the older blocks... perhaps something about oiling? Someone enlighten us!

[Doward]

Yes, no kidding... I'd love to build a roller RWD 3.1

[geoffinbc]

Nope hyd roller lifters will not work in a RWD block. They were never designed to support them. The technical explination was shown to me before but I dont know where it went.

[AaronGTR]

Just change the entire engine and use the 3100. Better anyway. When they went to distributorless ignition systems I believe they originally just sealed the hole with a freeze plug, so you could probably take it out and add your distributor. I'm just guessing though.

[SappySE107]

What about the starter being on the other side though?

[geoffinbc]

Just change the entire engine and use the 3100. Better anyway. When they went to distributorless ignition systems I believe they originally just sealed the hole with a freeze plug, so you could probably take it out and add your distributor. I'm just guessing though.

No they put in an oil pump drive shaft. It fits just like a distributor but with no top on it. Also putting a FWD block in a RWD vehicle would be a nightmare.

There is nothing wrong with a conventional cam. Or you can use a solid roller cam in a RWD block.

[RidgeRunner]

There's always teh 2.2 S10 bellhousing to allow for the starter on the wrong side.

[geoffinbc]

Yea but the mounting will suck.

The starter is no problem