Knocking in block
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
Generally speaking, a Gen I small block is every small block V8 made from 1955 until 1991, before GM switched to the LT1-style (or Gen II) engine block.
Of course, Gen I blocks aren't all the same as there have been numerous updates/refinements though the years, most of which occurred during the last few years of production. As you've mentioned, you need a factory Gen I block that will accept roller lifters, and that didn't go into production until 1987 (in Corvettes at least). So you should be looking at engine blocks made between 1987 and 1991.
I should mention that any Gen I small block will accept aluminum cylinder heads; roller lifters can be run in virtually any Gen I small block, but it will require the use of special roller lifters (you can't reuse your old factory roller lifters).
Of course, Gen I blocks aren't all the same as there have been numerous updates/refinements though the years, most of which occurred during the last few years of production. As you've mentioned, you need a factory Gen I block that will accept roller lifters, and that didn't go into production until 1987 (in Corvettes at least). So you should be looking at engine blocks made between 1987 and 1991.
I should mention that any Gen I small block will accept aluminum cylinder heads; roller lifters can be run in virtually any Gen I small block, but it will require the use of special roller lifters (you can't reuse your old factory roller lifters).
Last edited by TheCorvetteKid; Aug 8, 2010 at 04:33 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 308
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City MO
Most anything 87-1999 (or 2000) will work - there are some minor differences - such as some didn't have the fuel pump pushrod hole drilled and some didn't have the bosses drilled and tapped for the roller lifter "spider" - but that can be easily drilled/tapped at home so the block didn't have to come with a roller cam in order to use one!
Look at caprice's and pickups as donors for the engine block as they will generally be a lot cheaper than asking for a "corvette block" as soon as you say that some places will double the price.
Unless you've trashed the heads then I'd have them re-built and re-use them and the cam - I'd throw in a better cam while you're rebuilding and either re-use the rest of the valvetrain parts or purchase all new....
Look at caprice's and pickups as donors for the engine block as they will generally be a lot cheaper than asking for a "corvette block" as soon as you say that some places will double the price.
Unless you've trashed the heads then I'd have them re-built and re-use them and the cam - I'd throw in a better cam while you're rebuilding and either re-use the rest of the valvetrain parts or purchase all new....
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
While a block from '87-2000 may physically fit, if the OP is planning to reuse his old cylinder heads, then he can't use an LT1 (Gen II) block. The Gen II had reverse-flow cooling, which pumped coolant up to the heads first, then down into the block; the coolant passages in the heads and block were different when compared to the Gen I. The Gen II LT1 block was introduced in 1992 (on Corvettes) and I believe they became the standard small block used in everything from Caprices to pickup trucks and vans starting in 1993. If that's the case, then saying anything from 87-2000 is wrong since the OP's original cylinder heads can't be reused on a Gen II block.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 308
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City MO
While a block from '87-2000 may physically fit, if the OP is planning to reuse his old cylinder heads, then he can't use an LT1 (Gen II) block. The Gen II had reverse-flow cooling, which pumped coolant up to the heads first, then down into the block; the coolant passages in the heads and block were different when compared to the Gen I. The Gen II LT1 block was introduced in 1992 (on Corvettes) and I believe they became the standard small block used in everything from Caprices to pickup trucks and vans starting in 1993. If that's the case, then saying anything from 87-2000 is wrong since the OP's original cylinder heads can't be reused on a Gen II block.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2002
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From: The Motor City
I stand corrected.
Last edited by TheCorvetteKid; Aug 9, 2010 at 09:06 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Just because it knocks does not mean the block is automatically trashed
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 308
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City MO
Your machine shop should be able to give options on things such as piston choices, ring choices, etc. to save some money or support whatever your ultimate HP and durability goals are...
