LT1 block. Is it special?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane Queensland, Australia
Re: LT1 block. Is it special? (95AquaC4)
Thats wierd but interesting...
a friend here in OZ used to have a 1970's 'Holden Monaro' with a 350 and it had 4 bolt mains...
Mind you; it also had a 2 speed 'powerglide' auto in it so I guess it needed it, considering it spat out the modulator valve on regular occasions!
a friend here in OZ used to have a 1970's 'Holden Monaro' with a 350 and it had 4 bolt mains...
Mind you; it also had a 2 speed 'powerglide' auto in it so I guess it needed it, considering it spat out the modulator valve on regular occasions!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 9
From: N.E. WA
Re: LT1 block. Is it special? (95AquaC4)
I can't tell you all the differences, but there are some. Obviously, it does not use a top fed distributor ((but could), so there are some modifications for the opti spark. That also requires a different timing cover. I believe the water pump has 6 bolts on the lt-1 as opposed to 4 on the earlier stuff. It also is designed for a reverse coolant water pump. Long story short- you can't just drop a pre-92 sbc block in its place.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,294
Likes: 0
From: Amateur driver on open course.
Re: LT1 block. Is it special? (ANTI VENOM)
I can't tell you all the differences, but there are some. Obviously, it does not use a top fed distributor ((but could), so there are some modifications for the opti spark. That also requires a different timing cover. I believe the water pump has 6 bolts on the lt-1 as opposed to 4 on the earlier stuff. It also is designed for a reverse coolant water pump. Long story short- you can't just drop a pre-92 sbc block in its place.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Re: LT1 block. Is it special? (BlackBeast2)
The LT1 and the Std. SBC are completly diferent blocks and not interchangeable. Allot of the internals are interchangable such as bearing but the blocks are not the same. One look at the front of the blocks with the timing cover off and you can see the difference. The LT1 was desinged for reverse flow so the water pump attachment point and cooling jackets are different. The LT1 is also set up for an Opti distributor and gear driven water pump so the front of an LT1 is also completly diferent. You also need to make sure the stroker kit is for a 1 pce. rear main seal or for an LT1
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Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: LT1 block. Is it special? (ejfagala)
The LT1 and the Std. SBC are completly diferent blocks and not interchangeable. Allot of the internals are interchangable such as bearing but the blocks are not the same. One look at the front of the blocks with the timing cover off and you can see the difference. The LT1 was desinged for reverse flow so the water pump attachment point and cooling jackets are different. The LT1 is also set up for an Opti distributor and gear driven water pump so the front of an LT1 is also completly diferent. You also need to make sure the stroker kit is for a 1 pce. rear main seal or for an LT1
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Re: LT1 block. Is it special? (BlackBeast2)
Thanks for all the info guys. As always, you are awesome. should have considered the obvious things like the water pump and Opti before throwing the question out there. :banghead: But as usual a few good spirited corvette owners come through to the aid of another with some good info and a wake up call. :cheers:
Now I see why all the Vette magazines have ads for shortblock kits that are LT1 specific.
Now I see why all the Vette magazines have ads for shortblock kits that are LT1 specific.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay Fl
Re: LT1 block. Is it special? (BlackBeast2)
FYI:
You can run an older style 2-piece seal crank in the LT-1 block (or any 1-piece block for that matter) if you get a seal adapter kit. The kit is about $30.
However, if you do this you'll have to get a different flywheel (or flex plate for the auto guys).
I have one in my big block and it works well. No leaks as far as I can tell.
-Dave C.
You can run an older style 2-piece seal crank in the LT-1 block (or any 1-piece block for that matter) if you get a seal adapter kit. The kit is about $30.
However, if you do this you'll have to get a different flywheel (or flex plate for the auto guys).
I have one in my big block and it works well. No leaks as far as I can tell.
-Dave C.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 11,007
Likes: 1
From: Probably in the paint booth....
Re: LT1 block. Is it special? (ejfagala)
The LT1 and the Std. SBC are completly diferent blocks and not interchangeable. Allot of the internals are interchangable such as bearing but the blocks are not the same. One look at the front of the blocks with the timing cover off and you can see the difference. The LT1 was desinged for reverse flow so the water pump attachment point and cooling jackets are different. The LT1 is also set up for an Opti distributor and gear driven water pump so the front of an LT1 is also completly diferent. You also need to make sure the stroker kit is for a 1 pce. rear main seal or for an LT1
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