I have a LT 1 engine I am contemplating putting in a 41 for d truck. what issues will I run into on this install? its a carburetor motor , will the stock pan clear the tie rods? ( straight axle car), are the motor mounts the same as a small block? is the overall length the same as a small block? will it bolt directly to a 350 trans?
Late model LT1? Like from the 90's? The block is the same. The trans will bolt up. Engine mounts are the same. The heads and water pump are dumb on those engines.
looks like an early 90's motor, it has aluminum heads not sure what they are yet the only thing I have found stamped on the back of the head is 081534 intake is 24502574. if im correct this is a revers flow cooling system, would I need to do any thing different with regards to cooling?
do you have a photo? reverse flow uses the optispark distributor behind the water pump. water pump is run off of the cam. plumbing the motor correctly is important on those. not a lot of aftermarket brackets etc are available.
Why not just get a decent 350 and sell that problem to someone else? Have seen too many distributor's fail and I bet in that '40 it will be fun to pull the water pump to get to it.
to answer the first question, why not get a decent 350? that was the plan until I started seeing cost... (Im a CHEAP ASS LOL) I have this engine sitting in the corner of the garage, plan on digging it out this weekend and really taking a look at it. its a new motor I picked up awhile back in a trade. figured if it all fits and works maybe use this and make some room in the shop.once I dig it out i guess i will know if its reverse flow and has an optispark distributor. would you say im asking for trouble if it is an Optispark? thats the feeling im getting
If your cheap you wont want the lt, just a cap and rotor is around $150.00. It will bolt right in , mount' ,exhaust ,trans. The water pump starts to leak and the first place the coolant goes is into the distributor. Problem's. Some people like 'em, some don't.
I've got one of those LT1 Optispark motors in my O/T car with 158,000 miles. 2nd water pump, original Optispark. Your mileage may vary....
Hers some info on cooling requirements: http://www.waterpumpu.com/blog-how-the-general-motors-lt1-reverse-flow-cooling-system-operates.aspx
not that im against spending the money, I just figured I would look into this motor and see if it would work.. currently running a early 283 in the truck. its time for a change. I was looking at a 350/355hp for it, which I think would be nice. but also figured I could see whats in the corner of the shop before I spend the money. maybe spend it on some upgrades instead.
1970 Corvette motor that was rated @370 hp.... Came with 2.02 camel hump heads, a solid lifter cam, 11:1 compression TRW Forged pistons, a Z/28 aluminum high rise intake and a 780 Holley carb with vacuum secondaries.... Basically all the goodies that GM had to offer....
Think the op is talking about the early 90's lt1.I understand already having it but sometimes your better off with something else. Ebbspeed: Like I said ,some like em ,some don't. I know how much fun it is to put a pump and distributor in a late model corvette with this setup,(most late model sedan's have plenty of room in front) I wonder how much access there would be in that '40.
I'm guessing that you can't run the Optispark without the fuel injection and computer. A lot of Buick's, Camaro's and Corvette's used these motors with good success from somewhere in 1992 -1997 I think. I've seen articles on how to wire the computer if you have the original harness or there are after market one's available. It does move the distributor up front if that would help with firewall clearance.
the motor in question is off topic to this forum. keep the 283. the second gen motor is a challenge, if your up to it do it, the results will be a smooth running, durable engine with good power and great fuel mileage. if your worried about the optispark and water pump just plan to change them at the 100k mile mark.
IIRC, the LT1 with Aluminum heads, was the Vette motor. LT1 made decent power in it's day. The ignition is completely stupid.
Used a 70 LT1 in a 40 some years back-with dropped axle--tie rod cleared pan by 1/2" lock to lock--ran strong with that motor too! Don't know about the later type but had one in wife's 95 Impala SS-ran very well-had to chg wp at 70,000 miles. Never used any of these in all the 40's I've done-mostly 327's