can you use a regular sbc double roller timing chain when you run an electric water pump. if so does anyone know what brand and what part number to use?

 

It should be Cloyes 3145. You'll have to grind on the timing cover though.

 

the diff. is the splined center hole that drives the opti. wanna knw how I now? cause I did a cam swap for a guy and he got me timing gears/chain from auto zone and they gave him the old style gears that dont have the splines. so when I went to install the opti, there wasnt anything to line it up with/in.
anyways, I went with a cmotorsports true roller chain for $70. and yes, yo need to clearance the timing cover a little for the upper part of the chain.

 

I had to grind down the cam and crank seal area on my cover. I also completely ground down the hole for the water pump drive and tig welded a freeze plug into the hole. No leaks from the front of the motor yet. The back is another story though.

 

That's only with the 92-94 LT1s though. The later models with vented optis dont have the splined hole