Do I really need a roller cam?

[slayer021175666]

sandlapper,
Thanks a lot for that list! Awesome!
Are they all the same or is it better to try to get one out of a 1 tongue truck then a half ton?. Just wondering if heavier applications have more goodies in them.
Also, OE Kohler valve covers? What are they? The only Kohler stuff I can think of his little lawn mower engine stuff.

 

[sandlapper]

HD L31 apps' heads have hardened exhaust seat inserts --- std L31 have induction-hardened exhaust seats --- all of which can be found (and explained) L31via your friend google.

50-50 chance junkyard L31 heads are cracked.

Again, your google will tell you some Kohler motors, especially the large COMMERCIAL ONES, are made by GM etc and are common production motors that's sold by GM Powertrain to others such as Kohler. The Kohler gensets w/ L31 have valve covers unique to Kohler and are Stamped steel w/ Kohler stamped emblazoned on / into them.

Use your google etc and figure out how to use it to make the kohler/GM powertrain manual appear to you. I'm Not the computer resource IT guy. I cannot help w/ that.

 

[slayer021175666]

HD L31 apps' heads have hardened exhaust seat inserts --- std L31 have induction-hardened exhaust seats --- all of which can be found (and explained) L31via your friend google.

50-50 chance junkyard L31 heads are cracked.

Again, your google will tell you some Kohler motors, especially the large COMMERCIAL ONES, are made by GM etc and are common production motors that's sold by GM Powertrain to others such as Kohler. The Kohler gensets w/ L31 have valve covers unique to Kohler and are Stamped steel w/ Kohler stamped emblazoned on / into them.

Use your google etc and figure out how to use it to make the kohler/GM powertrain manual appear to you. I'm Not the computer resource IT guy. I cannot help w/ that.

Thanks you for letting me know about the heavy duty applications. I will make sure to look for that.
About looking things up on google, I sure have been! Been looking at it more than I probably should with all the things going on in my life right now but, I will look for those valve covers. I take it you want a set? I'll see what I can find.
I called up my local junkyard yesterday and they told me $350 for the whole long block! Even said that it would have the oil pan and manifold! I will want to sell the heads and manifold but, that's a great price when you consider what it would cost me to retro fit my old Corvette 327 with a roller cam.
Thanks a lot, man. I appreciate it!

 

[sandlapper]

$350 for a truly rebuildable L31 is a fair price. If it has two good heads with No crack(s) ... otherwise you pay and pay. If the block is reasonably true and hasn't been overheated/warped/cracked ... .... will the crank clean up with minimal machinework? Will the bores clean up with MAX 0.040" oversize pistons? If ya get a pile of junk that takes too much replacement/machinework and still may not be serviceable --- then that's not worth doing.

Ordinarily, an L31 that has NOT been overheated/abused/run hot/run rich still has crosshatch in all cylinders. And that same motor's crank will clean up with Only a professional polish (requiring only + one or +two bearings). And that motor's heads will require only a routine "service" & surfacing to bring them into useable spec. If that one is about $350, ya did well.