69 zl1?

[The Boss]

A buddy asked me to post these pictures and to draw on the knowledge base that is here in identifying the parts. There does not seem to be a VIN on the block but he may not be looking in the right place. What help can you provide in identifying this and more importantly, what would a real world value be of it since he has finally decided to let some of his stuff go.

Would this have gone in a car, would it have been service replacement or over the counter sale?

If there are pictures of other parts you would need to identify it, please let me know - I can get them.

Thanks in advance SYC!

[William]

I have maintained a ZL1 engine log for some time. The casting sequence # [222] would be, by a wide margin, the highest number installed in a production ZL1 Camaro. There should be a number stamped at the top of the rear block face and on each main bearing cap.

Doesn't hurt to check-there may be a VIN stamp on the side of the block adjacent to the oil filter.

My guess, it's an OTC block, built up for racing. Complete engines seem to get $15-$20k; this one is apart so there's that. But, don't see any ugly welds.

[big gear head]

Looks like someone's SS number and initials stamped on the pad. That would be great in my Camaro. I've always wanted one.

[Mr70]

Agree it's an OTC engine.
The Carb alone is dated Feb.16th,1974.

[ssl78]

shouldnt it of came with a 7115 crank

[the427king]

Agree it's an OTC engine.
The Carb alone is dated Feb.16th,1974.

?????????? Block is dated 3 14 69 ... carb is 5 years after the block, and probably didnt come that way since new. Original Block date on yellow corvette zl1 is 4 29 69

[SuperNovaSS]

Very cool engine.

Jason

[njsteve]

Looks like someone's SS number and initials stamped on the pad.

Issued in Ohio in 1963.

Boss, you might want to edit out the last half of that number just in case that person is still around so the ID theft issue doesn't hit him.

[The Boss]

LOL Steve - Think I'll take the chance.

Thanks for the responses and the PM's.

Trying to get the numbers on the caps - are they stamped numbers or casting numbers?

[the427king]

Stamped in .... the 3 raised numbers on the caps are the part numbers.....great motor.

[The Boss]

193 stamped?

[PeteB]

Stamped in .... the 3 raised numbers on the caps are the part numbers.....great motor.
you have some fantastic parts. The prices are jaw dropping lol.

[olredalert]

----Has anyone heard of a foundry called Hitchock Industries Inc. located in Minnesota? I have an ocean racing buddy in town from that area and he says this foundry cast aluminum Can-Am blocks......Bill S

[The Boss]

Can anyone tell me the significance of the numbers on the caps?

[Lee Stewart]

----Has anyone heard of a foundry called Hitchock Industries Inc. located in Minnesota? I have an ocean racing buddy in town from that area and he says this foundry cast aluminum Can-Am blocks......Bill S

https://s22.postimg.cc/dpkk7xxpt/screenshot_6426.png (https://postimages.org/)

[William]

Can anyone tell me the significance of the numbers on the caps?

Many years ago I corresponded with Fran Preve, who worked at the Tonawanda engine plant. He said at that time, Tonawanda did not have tooling that could simultaneously cut steel and aluminum. After fitting the main caps to the block, they were removed for align bore or hone, maybe both. They had to be numbered so they were re-installed on the original block. It appears they were number in sequence; must have maintained a log.

Fran is no longer with us; was a great guy. He was the source for all of the big block production figures back to the '50s.

[The Boss]

So should the 193 correspond to the 222 batch number or were they done in order of machining, not casting?

My friend said the guy he got if from had pulled it out of a wrecked Corvette road race car - fwiw.

[the427king]

Cap #s should match the number stamped in the back of the block.

[William]

Casting aluminum cylinder blocks was not well refined in those days. This was the 222nd ZL1 block casting but only #193 to make it to machining. Of the other 29 blocks, some were likely scrapped, others eventually repaired and moved on to machining. By the end of the run, the difference was around -50. I have little data relative to the total number of blocks cast but it is obvious they were not machined or assembled in any sort of order. The next block machined #194, was cast 10 days prior to #193.

Tonawanda records indicate they built 180-190 production ZL1 engines. There were approximately 550 castings; many were sold as bare blocks.

[The Boss]

Thanks for the info guys.

[njsteve]

Crazy idea but if you could track the person associated with that SS# on the ID pad, you might have the original owner of that engine and could get some history on it.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

... and more importantly, what would a real world value be of it since he has finally decided to let some of his stuff go.


Hey Boss
the last completed listing on eBay for one that was damaged / repaired and a little loose around the edges - went for 10k bare block . B-I-N .

real world - he's going to probably have to go to eBay and pay the commissions. Maybe as a package it'll catch the wind like the auction for the Ram V engine that had the cast exhaust manifolds with it.

That was a fancy deal that found the real world.

[EZ Nova]

I would have to agree with the OTC block. Just like mine. I searched for mine and did get the complete shortblock with waterpump and spare rotating assembly for less then people are saying bare blocks are. Mine was painted orange and used in a steel block class for dirt racing.

Honestly, I couldn't tell you exactly what the $$$ is for that set-up? You parts look rougher than my stuff was (rusty springs and hardware etc probably from sitting). Heres a thread of my stuff:

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

I'd be cleaning as much as you can and pulling the head studs, dead give-a-way that this was built and beat on.

I've talked to guys like you that have complete engines for $20K and less. There's a local block still new in crate floating back and forth between owners for 7500. I offered $8,000. So as far as $$$, that's tough?? You get "427KING" being a business might offer more and sit on it. Didn't he buy like 5 ZL1 blocks in 1 week a couple years ago? I hate to say this, but to get the most $$$, he would probably be better off parting it somewhat. People usually like to buy the "bulk deal" price and could lowball or reduce what the parts are worth if he separated it? But he also might want it to stay complete and that's more important than $$$$. IDK

Good luck