Has anyone run a carburated LT1 engine. It's the second gen Chev motor with the front distributor and mechanical water pump drive and no fuel pump boss. Mine does not have the LT1 heads, but has earlier Vortec heads, the intake was for a Vortec, used an HEI. Everything bolted up like it is supposed to' just wondering if anybody else has used this engine without the fuel injection. Thanks!
Are you sure they are Vortec heads? Vortec heads will bolt to the block, but aren't compatible as-is with the LT1 cooling passages. You can find more info on this at http://www.camaroz28.com in the "LT1 Tech" section. The heads could be the iron heads used on Impala SS/Caprice/Roadmaster/Fleetwood LT1s. They look similar to Vortecs ,but the bolt pattern isn't the same. They are LT1-specific heads. If what you have are actual Vortecs, you'd be better off selling them and buying a set of used LT1 aluminum or iron heads, or just getting a regular SBC to bolt your heads to. GMPP did make a single 4 barrel intake (easily identified by a cast-in Bowtie and no thermostat housing), but they are pricey. I know a few people who have run them carbed, with no issues. I used to have one of the intakes years ago, but never ran it.
Are you sure about the vortec heads? My understanding is that only the LT1 or LT4 heads interchange with that block? Is there a metal tube that runs between the heads at the rear? This is how the water circulates. I have one of the second gen LT1's for my 32. The general sells a regular 4 barrel style intake for them that drops a distributor that we are all familiar with in the rear. Up until a while ago I planned to run a regular carb but I have decided to go with a carb/EFI from F.A.S.T. I have sat on this engine for some years and I plan to get the motor together sometime this summer but so far I've just accumulated pieces. I did talk to a guy a couple years ago that was running a carbureted LT1 and he said it was easy to convert to a carb. My understanding is that the tube at the rear of the heads is REAL critical.
make sure those heads are not vortecs.. just as stated earlier the cooling circulates backwards in an lt1 to the heads first then down, great motor.. if they are vortecs sell em you will over heat that motor if you run them.. LT4 heads are the most potent for that mill. if ya can find a set to trade for your vortecs do that... also a side note what makes a vortec head a vortec head is they put the LT1 port design into a regular coolant flow head. hope that helps easiest way is to run the casting numbers on em...
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