ZL/1 coming to life after 47yrs

[jerry j]

http://www.yenko.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101448&stc=1&d=1507840605

[earntaz]

http://www.yenko.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101448&stc=1&d=1507840605

Puurrdy

[SuperNovaSS]

Very cool. Tell us more please!

Jason

[VintageMusclecar]

I think I know which one this is, looking forward to the results. :)

[EZ Nova]

Nothing new yet?????

Curious why this is in the COPO Canada section?

Reason is I have an original ZL-1 but the service/over-the-counter block I believe as there were no VIN on the block.

Mine made 705lbs/ft @ 5100 and 785+Hp @ 6700, 6800, 6900 and 7200, BIT LOOKS OEM STOCK but for headers.

http://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138426

[jerry j]

This block was split from stem to stern with numerous repairs unsuccessfully over a 20 year period before I got it. Also all the freeze pugs where welded. We machined and ground off 90% of the welds, on the out side of the block, the valley, the mains, the cam tunnel and between the cylinders etc. I then welded everything blended & textured the welds & installed new freeze plugs Pressure tested to 60 lbs. then line bored & lined honed the mains, bored & honed the cam tunnel .010 oversize, bored the alum. cylinders & installed new ductile sleeves & deck plate honed. Then assembled the engine with original & nos parts to 100% factory specs. I broke the engine in for 35 min. in Dec, 2017. The owner did not what to dyno full load because of its history.
All is well no leaks of any kind & excellent oil pressure.
The reason it is here is This is the only ZL1 delivered new to Canada

[jerry j]

Crappy Pictures from phone video at first start up.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Where was it delivered to?

Ryan

[jerry j]

The owner lives in a west Chicago suburb & has owned the car over 30 years.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

The owner lives in a west Chicago suburb & has owned the car over 30 years.

Very cool!!!

Can you share where the ZL1 was sold New?

Ryan

[jerry j]

#36
11-17-2006, 05:57 AM
rszmjt
Member

Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Calgary,Alberta,Canada
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Re: ZL-1 Camaro

OK, I have been reading these posts and thought i would clarify a few things that i know first hand about this ZL1.
1. First off it was CLIFF BRISTOW MOTORS in Three Hills Alberta, who did end up with the car as sssteve noted.
2. The ZL1 block sat at GILMOUR ENTERPRISES where i worked from 1974 to 1979. At that time i was told that it was owned by a Mr. Ron Prisnee who worked at Airport Welding in Calgary. The block had a lot of Tig welding on the sides of the block as well as the intake valley if memory serves me correctly. I was told by Ken Gilmour that it had been frozen up in the # 2 Rat Patrol Race Car.
3. I think that the Rat Patrol 70 Camaro did not recieve this engine until around late 1970 to 71. Rollie Johnson was involved with this car, but the first Rat Patrol was a 68 Camaro. I do not know if the ZL1 block ever was in the 68 Rat Patrol, but i dont think so.
When i saw # 2 Rat Patrol it had a Crower Injector and i think the car was run in B/G or B/A with the ZL1.
3. I was told that the 69 ZL1 car sat at Cliff Bristow Motors until early to middle 1970, because everyone who looked at the car near had a coronary when they looked at the window sticker. It was also rumoured that Cliff Bristow Motors then put a 396/375HP complete engine assembly into the car so they could sell it before the 71 models came out and also because they wanted to use the engine in the Rat Patrol # 2.
# 4. I also was told that the block was at the Spokane Swap meet where either Ed Cunnen or Ray Behrend saw it and realized what it was, probably buying it instantly.
# 5. I had 2 curved oil pan windage trays from Gilmours, 1 of them was rumoured to be off this ZL1, it has since been sold to a well known ZL1 collector in San Fransico.
# 6. I had this block in my Dads garage in 1976 or 77, i was going to buy it off either Ken Gilmour or Ron Prisnee, but the amount of welding scared me and i just plain did not know what i had at that time. STUPID!!!!!!!
# 7. I never heard about this engine block ever being in a dragster, When i saw it, there was still welding left to be done, to close off cracks.

Hope this post might add some new insights regarding this rare piece of GM Muscle Car History. Thanks to sssteve for jogging my memory.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

#36
11-17-2006, 05:57 AM
rszmjt
Member

Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Calgary,Alberta,Canada
Posts: 54
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

Re: ZL-1 Camaro

OK, I have been reading these posts and thought i would clarify a few things that i know first hand about this ZL1.
1. First off it was CLIFF BRISTOW MOTORS in Three Hills Alberta, who did end up with the car as sssteve noted.
2. The ZL1 block sat at GILMOUR ENTERPRISES where i worked from 1974 to 1979. At that time i was told that it was owned by a Mr. Ron Prisnee who worked at Airport Welding in Calgary. The block had a lot of Tig welding on the sides of the block as well as the intake valley if memory serves me correctly. I was told by Ken Gilmour that it had been frozen up in the # 2 Rat Patrol Race Car.
3. I think that the Rat Patrol 70 Camaro did not recieve this engine until around late 1970 to 71. Rollie Johnson was involved with this car, but the first Rat Patrol was a 68 Camaro. I do not know if the ZL1 block ever was in the 68 Rat Patrol, but i dont think so.
When i saw # 2 Rat Patrol it had a Crower Injector and i think the car was run in B/G or B/A with the ZL1.
3. I was told that the 69 ZL1 car sat at Cliff Bristow Motors until early to middle 1970, because everyone who looked at the car near had a coronary when they looked at the window sticker. It was also rumoured that Cliff Bristow Motors then put a 396/375HP complete engine assembly into the car so they could sell it before the 71 models came out and also because they wanted to use the engine in the Rat Patrol # 2.
# 4. I also was told that the block was at the Spokane Swap meet where either Ed Cunnen or Ray Behrend saw it and realized what it was, probably buying it instantly.
# 5. I had 2 curved oil pan windage trays from Gilmours, 1 of them was rumoured to be off this ZL1, it has since been sold to a well known ZL1 collector in San Fransico.
# 6. I had this block in my Dads garage in 1976 or 77, i was going to buy it off either Ken Gilmour or Ron Prisnee, but the amount of welding scared me and i just plain did not know what i had at that time. STUPID!!!!!!!
# 7. I never heard about this engine block ever being in a dragster, When i saw it, there was still welding left to be done, to close off cracks.

Hope this post might add some new insights regarding this rare piece of GM Muscle Car History. Thanks to sssteve for jogging my memory.

Very cool!!!

Ryan