LT1 Question and For Sale

[raddroxx]

I have a 350 motor out of a '69 RS Convertible. Engine Casting #3932386. I have found 3 websites that list this motor as a LT1. Without the build sheet, how can I tell for sure. Also Engine Code is VI209HQ, Intake #3927184, Heads #3932441. I already have decoded all these #'s, just wondering what made a LT1.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Fcgiurl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.com%252Fws%252F%26fkr%3D1%26from%3DR8%26satitle%3D8044077181%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1&item=8044077181

[lakeholme]

But wasn't the LT1 a second generation Camaro motor?
http://www.camaros.org/engine.shtml#302Motor

[KurtS]

Can't be a LT1, it's a year too early.
It's a LM1, just a letter off.... 350/255hp with manual trans.

Can you email me a larger version of that enginepad picture? KurtS2@peoplepc.com

Do you know for sure it's a 4 bolt main block?

Did the RS it came out of have a 12 bolt axle?

Thanks!

[rich69rs]

I have this same block in my 69 RS Base Coupe; 327 cid/210 hp engine.

The engine in my car is definitely a 2 bolt main.  From the references that I have, this block was also used for 302 DZ engines, but in a 4-bolt main configuration.  Attached is the info. off of my block:

CASTING NUMBER:   3932386
CASTING DATE:   J 31 8 (OCTOBER 31, 1968)
CASTING CLOCK:   8-9 AM, DAY SHIFT
ENGINE CODE:   V1122FJ
         V = FLINT ENGINE PLANT
         1122 = ASSEMBLY DATE, E.G. 11/22/68
         FJ = CAMARO, 327 CID, 3 SPD MANUAL

I pulled this engine out of a 3 speed manual coupe, VIN # 124379N551248 back in March 1994.  The car was being parted out.  I installed the engine in my car last summer.

[raddroxx]

Ok, I found this info on several websites

1969 3932386 302 290 290 4 Camaro Z28

1969 3932386 327 210 210 2 Camaro

1969 3932386 350 300 350 4 LT1

We know it is a 350, verified by the Engine Code: VI209HQ, the HQ designating a 350, so has to have 4 bolt main caps. But next to that is the reference to LT1. I contacted Chevrolet today, and spent 30 minutes talking to them, and they could not tell me yes or no to LT1. I then contacted Barret Jackson and left a message for Dave, the appraiser to call me back if he had any info on this.

I believe that Kurt is right and that it is a LM1. I personally own a 1971 RS Camaro and remember that some of them came with LT1's. But why do several websites show LT1 for the 1969 Casting #?

[Tinkerr]

It's not a Lt1 from the pics on the link you gave. It has flat top pistons Lt1's had dome pistons.I've seen 69 Impala's with that block casting,but they were 350/300's. Lt1's used the same block as other 350's of the same yr.As far as what makes a Lt1, 4 bolt block,pink rods(shot peened)steel crank,186/187/041/ casting heads 292 castings(angle plugs) on 370hp in 1970,factory aluminium intake,holley 780 carb. 8"balancer 370hp had mech. camshaft.
chevy by the #'s lists block as being used on the following motors 350/300hp (4 bolt) 302/290hp(4 bolt) 327/210hp (2 bolt) they list HQ as 350/255hp 3or4sp. 255hp was a 2 barrel.  block was used aug.68-jan.69    441 heads are listed as 350/255hp  so you have a 350/255hp that somebody put a 4 barrel intake on or person stamping should have stamped it a HO 350/300 and errored and stamped it HQ 350/255.

[KurtS]

Really simple. The LT1 was not even designed by then, so it can't be one.
And the 2 bolt / 4 bolt useage is something you have to confirm with the block. The engine plant used *both* for exactly the same application.

And the HQ stamp is correct. 255 hp is a 4 bbl motor, not a 2 bbl.

[Tinkerr]

Kurt,
You are quite correct the 350/255hp was a 4 barrel,(I made an err)the 350/250hp was the 2 barrel .Although there was a 350/350 hp available in the Corvette in 1969 I'm not sure if GM was calling it the Lt1,but it did use most of the same componets as the 70's Lt1,it's odd that it used a rochester instead of a holley though.

In regards to contacting Chevrolet thats a wasted effort,unless you stumble onto a old hotrodder.They employ computer operaters today,the service writers/managers aren't making a commision on your questions so their no help, if its not in the computer or built post 1980's good luck. In most cases your SOL.Most of them were in diapers in the 70's and the late 60's didn't exist except in books.  WOW does that sound cynical!!!

[JohnZ]

Kurt,
You are quite correct the 350/255hp was a 4 barrel,(I made an err)the 350/250hp was the 2 barrel .Although there was a 350/350 hp available in the Corvette in 1969 I'm not sure if GM was calling it the Lt1,but it did use most of the same componets as the 70's Lt1,it's odd that it used a rochester instead of a holley though.

The '69 Corvette L-46 350/350 was a Q-Jet-carbed hydraulic-cam engine, just like the '68 L-79 327/350 that preceded it.

Block casting numbers have virtually nothing to do with the configuration of a finished engine, which is why folks get confused when they look up a casting number on Mortec and think they have a 302 (or other low-volume engine). The 3970010 block is a good example of that - over seven MILLION of those blocks were cast from 1969-1979, and they were used for every 350 application imaginable, in both cars and trucks, and only one-third of 1% of them were assembled as 302's. Blocks are blocks, and none of them were cast for a specific finished application; the only thing that made them different was the components installed in them and the pad stamp that identified their internals and vehicle application.

[lakeholme]

I can see your confusion.  Here's a web site that calls a 69 engine an LT1
http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.html
But then on the same site, it points out the LT1 started in 1970:
http://www.nastyz28.com/camaro/z28lt1.html
 

[x77-69z28]

the lt-1 came out in 1970 1/2. it would have a three digit engine suffix.

[Buddy]

Although there was a 350/350 hp available in the Corvette in 1969 I'm not sure if GM was calling it the Lt1

I have a 70 corvette 350/350 and it is not an LT1.

Buddy