Can I raise the front of the engine 1" without too much problems?

Check your distributor to rear window clearance if you decide to raise engine.

I assume you already have the removable firewall hatch off, as the alternator will likely hit when engine raised, also.

If you have a heavy duty aluminum oil pan, you may be all right. They can "usually" take the pressure of lifting the motor with a wooden block between the jack and pan to distribute the load. Make darn sure that everything is removed or loose enough to let the motor raise without binding anywhere.
If you have the original stamped steel oil pan, be very careful. It's a bad idea to jack up the motor by placing a block of wood on the oil pan and jacking. The crank is very close to the pan and it is easy to compress it enough to contact the spinning crank. Others have gotten away with this, but it is risky business. If you have the stock pan, you should cut some plate steel into three pieces. One on each side of the pan so that contact is made where the pan flange bolts to the block. The last piece needs to be welded across those two side plates below the pan so that all pressure is applied to the pan mounting flange and none to the bottom of the pan. In other words...three sides of a square. It needs to be thick enough to bear the load, but thin enough to slip up the sides of the oil pan. Not a lot of room there.
If you do damage the steel pan or break your aluminum pan, get back on the board. There are ways to fix the damage without pulling the motor.
Good luck!
Mooso