Picked up a block, heads, intake, distributor stuff, etc The block is stamped "327". The block has some nicks in the chambers, i tried to get a pic of it but not sure if you can see it, and has one spot where the previous owner was starting to grind space for a 383 crank (i'll post a pic of that soon). I'm hoping i can clean this stuff up to put together a stock engine (bored over to take out the nicks, will need new pistons but hope that will be it), then I'll consider having the heads worked on and a decent cam:


































I have little experience with building engines, i picked up this stuff because of the price and have the urge to build up something that i might use in my 91 camaro or my 70 camaro depending, or just sell if i decide not to use it. I just rebuilt the top end ( tore block down to the crank then built back up) on the '70 with freshened 186 heads, seems to run pretty strong and was my first attempt at engine work. The '91 i will be converting to a t56 in the next week.

I've read about issues with optispark, and will have to figure out what i want to do there (ie aftermarket or gm or maybe salvage what i have if its all there). I need to read more about the LT1 engine, i'll be looking up more info here on the forums.

Thanks for any input,

Alan

 

looks like the heads are the iron style, bummer:

10125320 94-96 350 LT1, Cast Iron, B-Body

Anyone know the flow numbers on those heads?

Alan

 

I was just about to comment that the heads appeared to be iron and not aluminum. That is too bad. Aluminum heads are so much better in stock form. You can probably find a machine shop to work over the iron heads to flow better, but you would be better off to find a set of good aluminum heads to start with.

 

Might be the angle of the photo but that block does not look fixable. The non-camaro/corvette version of the LT1 does not bring a lot of money I have seen them in running condition sell for $300 with low mikes one selling for $550. That vs the camaro version that will sell for $1000 in the same condition.

 

I've been looking to do the same thing. I have been shopping for cheap LT1s on Craigslist to rebuild so I don't have to rebuild the perfectly good LT1 that is already in my Z.

 

Tool, if you need a different block, it doesn't matter where it comes from as long as it's an LT1. There are only two different LT1 blocks; the 4 bolt main Corvette block, and the rest, which are 2 bolt main (Z28, T/A, Impala SS, etc.). But, both 2 and 4 bolt versions share the same "327" casting as you have. What makes the rest of the Vette and F-body engines special, is the aluminum heads.

 

Here's some pics of the grinding done on the block, and a pic of cylinder #6. It's hard to get the nicks to show up clearly. I'm thinking i will take it to the guy who rebuilt my 186 heads and have him look at the block, see if it's salvageable.

 

Don't forget the cam. A cam and lifters will really set you back on one of these builds. Of course on either motor there is much better then stock cams out there.