LT1 Swap To Do List...

[Mark B]

Hey everyone,
I am putting a 96 LT1 into my 91 RS. In addition to the things listed below, is there anything else I should do/check before I put the motor into the car? The LT1 has 68K on it.

Heres what I can think of:
-Replace Cap & Rotor
-Replace Plugs
-Replace Wires
-Replace Water Pump
-Replace Rear Main Seal
-Replace intake manifold seal (Not leaking, preventitive maintenence)

[Mark B]

I just ordered a new GM optispark too.

[BrdWAtti2d]

I noticed your post and that no one has given you a reply. If you haven't already done those replacements I would replace the timing cover seals and gasket while you have everything off. If the seals aren't already leaking eventually they will and you'll be going through this process all over again, and you can check the timing chain for wear while you have the cover off. If the seals leak bad enough the oil leak will contaminate your new opti. If you are going all the way down to the opti it's not a huge deal to pull the front cover. You just have to pull the balancer pully and hub and drop the oil pan. Since you have the engine out of the car it should be pretty simple. Be carefull with the water pump drive shaft seal, it very easy to damage.

[Mark B]

Thanks.. I am in the process of removing the timing cover now. Once I removed the opti, I saw the seals & said "im already this far... so." I am also replacing the oil pan seal & rear main seal.

This damn thing better never leak a drop of ANYTHING.

[BrdWAtti2d]

Good call, and I'll say it again, be very carefull with that water pump drive shaft seal. I screwed one up trying to put it on. I found it eaiser to put the cover back on first and then install that seal. The other seals are a piece of cake. You need to slip a thin piece of plastic curved into a tube into the water pump shaft seal so that it will slip over the shaft without damaging the seal.