I have an LT1 that has a junk block.. I was wondering if anyone knew if I could use a 400 small block instead of another LT1 block. Just wanted to know if the reverse cooling would be a problem or not... Any and all help is appreciated!

 

The blocks are different and not interchangeable.

 

No you can NOT and they are not interchangeable. You can use the 400 and make it a carb'd car but will need to change the k member as well. BUt if your a local I have 2 Lt1 short blocks for sale? Unless you want to ship?

 

Why would the K-member need to be changed for a 400..isn't the the same as the SBC?

 

Agreed, the K-frame should work with a gen-1 SBC.

Merv, LOVE that avatar!

 

And futhermore why couldnt the block be converted to reverse flow? Wonder if thats possible.

 

My friend has an OEM LT1 k member in his car and he had to make different motor mounts for his GEN I to fit.

 

Gen 1 heads and intakes can be converted to work on reverse coolant flow LT1 blocks.

Gen 1 blocks cannot be converted to reverse flow.

Search around and have a good look at the water pump inlets on the block between gen 1 and LT1.

Additionally, Gen 1 blocks cannot be converted to have the Opti Spark mounted on the front. I recall one who converted the Opti Spark into a rear mounted distributer.

 

The 400 block also has problems with steam passages that are extremely close to the cylinder walls between the bores which have a tendency to crack. Not a good block to use for anything IMO.

 

If your dead set on a 400, use an aftermarket block.

 

There are a few LT1 400 blocks around But you will pay dearly for it.

 

Lol..thanks man..I think it fits me good

Both you guys are correct..the Drivers Side mount on the LT1 doesn't bolt up to a SBC the same way as it does to the LT1..that's wht you have to come up with a different mount. I ran into that problem with my LS Conversion mounts when I used the LT K-member.

 

False.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/2771627-post9.html

 

the front looks rough!.. cool though!

 

Yeah SBS, I was gonna look up that thread. As I recall, that block was a one-off and cost a kings ransom to have.

If I win the lottery tomorrow, maybe there'll be a second one

I also remember one guy that somehow mounted a Opti Spark on a Gen1 timing cover. I suppose with enough time and money, anything can be fabricated. But after all is said and done, it's better to convert from to the EFI Connection system that puts a LS1 ECM on a LT1.

HMMM. The Donovan aluminum block at say 427 CID with the biggest AFR LT1 heads and the EFI Connection system. That'd make some power!

OR just go LSX.

 

 

MUCH easier to mod an aluminum block than a cast iron one.

 

Dick..

 

Exactly.

You should see some of the crazy **** people do to aluminum heads. I've seen the entire deck and chambers built up an re machined when it was necessary to run stock castings or you were limited what casting could be ran. But your not going to do crazy stuff like that on cast iron.