I was Wondering if i could put a conventional timing chain on an lt1 if i have a elcetric waterpump. I knocked out the drive gear and the block ut motor needs new timing chain. Gonna Run a cc306 cam. Wondering if anyone knew if i had to still use a timing chain setup for a lt1 or if a coventional one would work. Thanks Mike

 

Mike,
This subject is beat to death every week. A search will give ya plenty of info.
Yes ya can run a double row roller with mod's.

 

I run Cloyes pn 3145 in place of the LT1 set since Im also running an electric pump. You have to clearance the timing cover a little but other than that the chain works just fine and is strong as hell. I believe any timing set for an 87+ hydo roller small block or 4.3 v6 will work in the LT1 if you have an electric pump.

 

Do you have to run a vented opti to run the $80 Cloyes one? I read some conflicting information on this.

-Dustin-

 

Definetly yes, a vented opti is needed for this.

 

Alright, so what exactly is the issue with it? Pin length?

-Dustin-

 

The non vented opti is driven by a 2 sided splined shaft thats connected to the opti at one end and the other end is connected to the cam sprocket. For other type/model gears there's simply no provision for the splined shaft.

 

I see, well I guess if there was ever a time to convert it would be during the cam swap, but I'm not sure if its worth the trouble.

-Dustin-

 

I say might as well replace the opti while it's all apart. while you're putting a new one in, why not save a few hundred and buy a vented unit instead??? It'll be better in the long run, also when running an EWP, you might as well put in a double roller for peace of mind.

I dunno I just think of this as "while it's apart..." type stuff, so that way you don't run into problems later, and have to re-pull it apart and replace with the good stuff that wasn't even expensive in the first place! Grinding the timing cover takes like 20 minutes, otherwise it's just a remove-replace deal.