Can A LT1 cam be swaped into A first gen small block. If so what timing chain and gear's do you use.And what lifters.

 

No,

A LT1 Cam is a roller cam and the LT1 is a derivitave of the 86 and up Roller Cam SBC. So a early 2 piece rear main SBC block cannot take a LT1 cam. A LT1 cam will work in a 1 piece rear main seal roller block (86 and up)

Bret

 

Why will it not work is to cam bearings different. Or the timing different. Whe not run LT1 cam gen 1 after market roller lifter. 1986 up timimg gear and chain.

 

Well because of cost.

The LT1 and 86 and up keep the cam in the block with a cam retention plate. To run a roller cam in old SBC takes a cam buttom and special timing chain. Which I also think that the bolt holes on the tradtional cam have a larger bolt pattern to allow for the cam button. The newer one doesn't so you would have to adapt the block, which is going to be a royal pain in the ***.

The orginal SBC was a flat tappet motor, and flat tappet cams have tilted lobes that keep the camshaft in the block because they are slightly thrust loaded by the lifter. Roller cams do not do that so they need to be held in the block by other means. So the cam button system was developed, and then turned into the retnetion plate used today.

Bret