LT1 swap update - split loom install

[Happy camper]

Makes sense, I didn't realize you were planning on going with a turbocharger.
Good luck on your endeavor, I will be keeping a close eye on your progress, so please keep the updates coming.

 

[JD1964]

Makes sense, I didn't realize you were planning on going with a turbocharger.
Good luck on your endeavor, I will be keeping a close eye on your progress, so please keep the updates coming.

Will do. Just have so many things going on right now. And limited space in garage. So, I'm trying to prepare for the swap process ahead of time. Not that I'll finish it all at once, but I want to yank the other engine and get the LT1 in and do the minimum required to just move it in and out of garage under its own power. After that we'll tinker with all the things that make it long term road worthy.

 

[JD1964]

The trip to the boneyard to check out the 94 Caddy Fleetwood was fruitful.

I took the PCM (as a spare) , the temp sensor in the water pump, the low oil level sensor, the upper radiator hose, ignition wires, optispark vacuum lines and oil dipstick. $51 for all that.

Interestingly, the 94 Fleetwoods had vented opti as this one did. I went for the opti and the timing cover initially but did not have a hub puller with me. I had planned to go back but I've just decided to modify my 94 Camaro opti to vented instead of doing the entire component swap.

 

[Supercharged111]

The trip to the boneyard to check out the 94 Caddy Fleetwood was fruitful.

I took the PCM (as a spare) , the temp sensor in the water pump, the low oil level sensor, the upper radiator hose, ignition wires, optispark vacuum lines and oil dipstick. $51 for all that.

Interestingly, the 94 Fleetwoods had vented opti as this one did. I went for the opti and the timing cover initially but did not have a hub puller with me. I had planned to go back but I've just decided to modify my 94 Camaro opti to vented instead of doing the entire component swap.

I wonder if it was swapped? 95 was the golden year for the F body. Vented opti with no crank sensor. That's what's in my car, my spare motor, and my other spare B body motor that I unloaded years ago.

 

[JD1964]

I wonder if it was swapped? 95 was the golden year for the F body. Vented opti with no crank sensor. That's what's in my car, my spare motor, and my other spare B body motor that I unloaded years ago.

Vented opti was factory installed in Chevy Caprice, Caddy Fleetwood and Buick Roadmaster LT1’s beginning 1994.

Corvette, Camaro and Firebird got them beginning in 1995.

This can be verified by checking part numbers at Rock Auto.

It was news to me when I found out.

 

[oldsmobile joe]

but did not have a hub puller with me

You saved your self a lot of frustration. Hubs on lt1 engines are not the same as a sbc. You either need the special tool from gm or, a flat nosed hub puller(not V tipped) and specific lengths of 3/8 rod or bolt shank to insert thru the hub bolt hole in order to push against the crank snout.

 

[Supercharged111]

You saved your self a lot of frustration. Hubs on lt1 engines are not the same as a sbc. You either need the special tool from gm or, a flat nosed hub puller(not V tipped) and specific lengths of 3/8 rod or bolt shank to insert thru the hub bolt hole in order to push against the crank snout.

I found it no worse than pulling an SBC balancer. Just need the right length of bolts as you pointed out, but I've always just used a plain Jane puller.

 

[JD1964]

I got to thinkin about it and couldnt resist going back for the OEM vented opti, cover and cam gear. The OEM vented opti units are scarce and getting quite valuable. I got all three pieces for $72.

I’m pretty sure this opti is good. I come to this conclusion because it propelled its host, the 94 Fleetwood into something pretty hard. Seriously though, that’s a heavy impact for Fleetwood to bend up like that. The frame was bent back pretty good and the front seat passenger appears to have been put through the windshield.

I was able to get the damper / hub off with a standard puller. The complications with removing these usually come in the Corvette application because the frame is right in front of the crank snout and theres not enough room without using special tools. But on this Fleetwood, once I ripped the radiator and condenser out, I had plenty of room.

 

[Supercharged111]

Good deal. I know the cams are different too, but I think your only concern is making sure the pin is long enough. Unless you're planning on upgrading the cam. 😎

 

[JD1964]

Good deal. I know the cams are different too, but I think your only concern is making sure the pin is long enough. Unless you're planning on upgrading the cam. 😎

Yes, timing cover and cam gear are a must. Rest of the stuff can be tweaked if needed. But obviously one might want to replace chain and crank gear too while in there if needed.

I'm gonna give this opti a gentle cleaning, box it up and store it for now. I see only two of these OEM units currently available on Ebay, one is a rebuilt non vented and the dude wants $540. The other is a used vented and that dude wants $399.

Rebuilt OEM non-vented opti

Used OEM vented opti