i am building a 355 cheaply... i got the block and such... 4 bolt out of a early 90s truck... this is a BUDGET build, and a buddy of mine has his stock LT1 crank laying around. i am under the belief that the LT1 crank should work fine... cause they didn't change bottom end stuff until the LS1 motor stuff cameout... its a 1 piece rear main seal block... so will the LT1 crank work?

 

The front of the crank 'might' be different because they use the hub in back of the balancer on the lt1. Only way to tell is to get it and take it to Mikes and see if they have a stock 350 crank laying around to compare it to.

 

Assuming the crank snout is the same, the LT1 crank does not have the woodruff key for a balancer. Although I'm sure you can get one machined to accept one.

 

Actually, there is a Woodruff key in the crank of the LT1 (or at least mine). Something has to key the crankshaft sporocket to the crank snout. The difference is in the key itself. The Woodruff key is cut back on an LT1 to allow the balancer hub to be installed in any position. The balancer doubles as the accessory belt sheave, so it is allowed to slip just a bit if necessary without damaging anything.

Use the crank with the old style key, and it should fit fine.

See the keyway in the snout on the right?

 

Cool...I've always wondered why the balancer is not keyed to the crank on the LT1. I learn something new everyday.

 

i am going to call mike's anyway to see if they have a crank laying around there somewhere they will let go for cheap... seems like a lot of trouble to make the LT1 thing work if i could just find a cheap used older one

 

A 305 crank is identical to a 350 crank if that helps. Might be cheaper if you ask for one from a 305.

 

And actually, a 305 crank counterweights are closer to the what's needed to balance the LT1 pistons and PM rods than an L98 or other 350 crank balanced for regular rods. You'll have a lot less work starting with the LT1 or 305 crank.