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I'm gathering parts for my cam / heads swap on my '96 LT1, and I am at a loss what timing set to buy. I've ruled out the EWP, so that leaves me with the following options:
I have read posts where the WP teeth on the cam gear wore away on both the Cloyes and the GMPP ED sets. Has anyone used the Comp Cams timing set? I know it is expensive, but I'd rather not have metal shavings in my engine!
Since the quality of the gears seem to be so hit or miss I'm almost inclined to just buy a new chain for my stock LT1 set, as it only has 60,000 miles on it.
I've already purchased the stock LT1 stock WP drive shaft assembly in case the shaft is worn at the seal, and a new GM waterpump.
Well all I know is guide plates are an issue on stock LT1 heads, the spacing of the valves or rocker stud bosses is NOT the same as regular 350 heads. Therefore when you try to use regular 350 guide plates you run into all sorts of alignment problems, it doesn't happen. Past experience talking here.
In the end we wound up using the Isky adjustables, it's the most economical way out when not using self aligning rockers. The Isky adjustables take some time to get the rockers aligned correctly, but they hold once torqued down. We didn't have to grind them to bring them closer together, if anything they wound up with a VERY small gap in between.
I have no idea if there is specific LT1 guide plates, if there isn't, there is a definite need there.
If you're buying new 1.6 rockers I'd get self aligning and put up with the noise if there is any, I don't hear any on my LT4 and they are self aligning.
I'm gathering parts for my cam / heads swap on my '96 LT1, and I am at a loss what timing set to buy. I've ruled out the EWP, so that leaves me with the following options:
I have read posts where the WP teeth on the cam gear wore away on both the Cloyes and the GMPP ED sets. Has anyone used the Comp Cams timing set? I know it is expensive, but I'd rather not have metal shavings in my engine!
Since the quality of the gears seem to be so hit or miss I'm almost inclined to just buy a new chain for my stock LT1 set, as it only has 60,000 miles on it.
I've already purchased the stock LT1 stock WP drive shaft assembly in case the shaft is worn at the seal, and a new GM waterpump.
Any info / insight would be appreciated!
I just had my 96 LT4 rebuilt, the Cloyes Extreem Duty Chain and gears are the way to go. My stock chain and gears on my LT4 look just like what Cloyce makes. And they had 80,000 hard miles on them and they were not worn out. I bet Cloyce makes the HP chain for GM.
This is the single row(roller chain) Extreem Duty Chain for the 96 LT4. If you use a electric water pump you can go with a double row chain and gears if you are really serious about stength.
I am currently doing a build-up of an LT1. It is on an engine stand so I took it down to the shortblock yesterday. The motor only has 50,000 miles, but the timing chain looked like it had quite a bit of slack in it. It would appear to me that I could just replace the chain without putting a new gear set in as well. Is this ok to do or will it cause me problems later on?
I would just go ahead and buy a whole new set, but LT1 timing sets are so f'ing high that I really don't want to spend alll of that extra money on one if it is not absolutely necessary...
I am currently doing a build-up of an LT1. It is on an engine stand so I took it down to the shortblock yesterday. The motor only has 50,000 miles, but the timing chain looked like it had quite a bit of slack in it. It would appear to me that I could just replace the chain without putting a new gear set in as well. Is this ok to do or will it cause me problems later on?
I would just go ahead and buy a whole new set, but LT1 timing sets are so f'ing high that I really don't want to spend alll of that extra money on one if it is not absolutely necessary...
Your input is appreciated.
It is money well spent to replace all three parts as the gears are worn too. Look and see if your chain is a link plates and not a single Roller Chain like the LT4. Cloyce (GM) has a roller chain and gears for the LT1. A much stronger set. Good Luck
It is money well spent to replace all three parts as the gears are worn too. Look and see if your chain is a link plates and not a single Roller Chain like the LT4. Cloyce (GM) has a roller chain and gears for the LT1. A much stronger set. Good Luck
Why is it that timing sets for the LT1 / LT4's are so darn expensive? Oh well, I guess the cloyes set you are recommending is the one listed above, part number 9-3151? I guess I can just order one from Summit. Looks like they are $350.00
Why is it that timing sets for the LT1 / LT4's are so darn expensive? Oh well, I guess the cloyes set you are recommending is the one listed above, part number 9-3151? I guess I can just order one from Summit. Looks like they are $350.00
My guess is that GM used Double Row chains for 40 years and the new style LT1/4 is a Single row as the water pump drives the other set of teeth on the cam gear. Call around to different places and tell them you want a Roller chain set and what year your LT1 is. Look in the GM Performance Book for the Extreme Duty LT4 chain and gears (Cloyce makes them). Shop around you should find a better price.
Last edited by Louis Bartay; Feb 12, 2007 at 12:59 PM.