ZL1 engine

[SuperNovaSS]

I just picked up a ZL1 engine. I was wondering where I could fine date codes on the block. There are no dates on the side or rear of block. Also if anyone has any advice on special instructions I should give the machine shop when I take it over there I would appreciate and input. I have attached a picture if anyone is curious.


Thanks,

Jason

[Pantera]

Be very sure to take it to a good old hot rod machine shop. if you have to have it bored out be sure that they use a fixture that is indexed off the crank centerline so that the bore is 90 deg to the crank. Same for if you have to put a sleve into it. Email me a price if you want to sell it. I would love to have it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Z28DZ]

That's gonna be a mighty fast wagon!!

[Stuart Adams]

Good one....

[GMH454]

Maybe a better question was "what do you want for it". Good score.
Now I guess you have checked over the sides of the casing and there is no sign of a casting date.
What about the winters snowflake, any sign of SYC, stamped there??
Turn the block over, upside down, does it have any stamped numbers in the machined surface, these may only be a small numeric number not the alpha numeric codes you normally think of. If you got the caps, did they have any numbers stamped in them.
Finally clean the block on the inside, and get a good flashlight, and someone with vision a lot better than mine, and look for anything else stamped in the block.
Porterfield told me the same and it was amazing what turned up.

Finally after getting "acquainted with your new toy, how hard is it going to be to give it up ?????
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[SuperNovaSS]

I think there were some numbers stamped on the oilpan flange. The parts are at the machine shop now getting checked for cracks. I wanted to have this checked before I sold it. It does have the winters snowflake on the front. As far as asking price is concerned I'm not really sure of the value, any input would be appreciated. I want to be fair.


Jason

[GMH454]

When it comes back check those numbers and let us know. Also inside the block, look for small stampimgs. Did you get the caps ??????
Does not sound like it was cast by Yenko,who took over the tooling. Not sure why you don't have a date. Believe all 1969 cast blocks had date codes but will be happily be corrected.
Presume you have checked the front stamp pad. Is there even a trace of a number ????
Did it have liners. Does it have studs.(and caps ) What bore will it be, very lucky to find one standard bore.All these attributes effect value.

[Eddie M.]

check inside the Winters cast see if it has the "W" my yenko block has the winters cast with "LD" in the center
and no date casted anywhere

[Musclecarkid]

Make sure you get a NICB report on that "ZL-1 wagon," just to make sure there's not another with the same Vin. Wouldn't want two ZL-1 wagons the same color to show up at Barrett Jackson next year with the same vin. LOL!!!!!

[GMH454]

[ QUOTE ]
Make sure you get a NICB report on that "ZL-1 wagon," just to make sure there's not another with the same Vin. Wouldn't want two ZL-1 wagons the same color to show up at Barrett Jackson next year with the same vin. LOL!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]
??????????????????????????
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Musclecarkid]

Private joke. Please see Barrett Jackson tread in Other Muscle section. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[Pantera]

Since my White '70 BM Phase III came with alum heads on a LS-7 why not give it a Alum block to go along with it. Would that not make it steer easier??? Of course I would have to put a 454 crank in it to make it a larger cube like a '70 vette should have in it. Then again I could just build a very real looking clone out of that old '69 X-44 camaro I have setting out back. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[SuperNovaSS]

Just heard back from the machine shop. No cracks or flaws in the block. So it should be for sale soon. It will need new sleeves to make it a 427 again. It now has sleeves that make is a 510. He's checking the heads now. I'd rather sell it to someone here than put it on Ebay, but still have no real idea of value.


Jason

[rpoz11]

Hi all; my post is a bit behind here but this is the same engine I spotted down in Pomona. No, no date codes were on this block and I specifically visually inspected it; Overall the exterior of this Block is fine including the snowflake. Good Luck! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[yountto]

Put it on ebay if you are afraid of selling it too cheap...I know ill be there come the end of auction time...

[T Billigen]

I have a question? Say you sell an engine like this on e-bay, how much commision do you have to pay to e-bay ( say you get 20K?) http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[yountto]

The ebay fees pale in comparison to the taxes that need to be paid on the profit....

[SuperNovaSS]

I've decided the price will be $17,500 providing the heads come back with a OK. Included will be the block, heads, crank, intake(163), oil pan, timing cover, and push rods.

Jason

[55chevy]

[ QUOTE ]
Since my White '70 BM Phase III came with alum heads on a LS-7 why not give it a Alum block to go along with it. Would that not make it steer easier??? Of course I would have to put a 454 crank in it to make it a larger cube like a '70 vette should have in it. Then again I could just build a very real looking clone out of that old '69 X-44 camaro I have setting out back. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Larry.... are you just gonna sit and dream about this stuff like me? or you gonna get off your butt and do it? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[GMH454]

Does the block have its studs, do the heads have the original rocker arms.
AND....did you find any markings in the block ?????

Is there any sign that the stamp pad was ever stamped ???
There are a variety of unique stampings on these engines and it might not be the familar style ???

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[SuperNovaSS]

The mains were studed. There were head studs but they came in a box, not in the block. I will know better on the stamping when I pick up the block, but rpoz11 said he checked it over well and saw nothing. It did have a series of numbers opposit the casting number but I did not know what they meant.


Jason

[rpoz11]

Basically, this block appears to be a latter issue of the original from the original molds. I'd bet most that this was a early 70's re-issue based upon demand. As Ive heard, and Im NO authority on it, the original run was made, stopped after enough warranty blocks were poured, and then re-poured again later for a small final run. I did not see any VIN stampings on it whatsoever. With the smaller 2 in the 3946052 casting number, I will bet my Camaro on it that this was a 70-73 re-issue. The heads I think were 73 or 74 dated and the 163 was obviously not correct for it; I would like to allow the new current owner to finish off here on this since it is now in his hands. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[RichSchmidt]

I am not an expert on ZL1 dates and codes,but didnt later ZL1 blocks come without sleeves and use iron plated piston skirts?I believe after 1972.I dont know if the exact date or application for unsleeved blocks{I think the Can Am motors were unsleeved}but I know they existed.

[GMH454]

Good point. What is being discussed on this thread is the original casting for ZL-1s used in Vettes Camaros, and some racing teams, Penske, McLaren, etc.
After the first batch was done, some were put in cars, many set aside for warranty, others held back for over the counter, and others used for the chosen racing teams. I think Greenwood stated that he picked up the last 16 in around 74-75. After the first run the same casting was used to produce more blocks but beleive these were not dated as they were never intended for instalation in cars. Later Yenko used same cating to produce a series of Yenko blocks, and these have the snowflake altered in various ways.

What you are refering to is a Reynolds Block, designed for Can Am, although Grumpy used one in his 1970 Camaro. These should not be confused with ZL-1s.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[Eddie M.]

was the Can-Am block not machined for a fuel pump?

[GMH454]

Having never seen a Reynolds block I will pass on that.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[SuperNovaSS]

Got the engine back from the machine shop and there are no date codes on it. There is a series of numbers opposite the casting number but I don't see any way they could be a date code. I will post them tomorrow. If any one is interested in this engine please let me know, otherwise it will be going on EBay soon(probably tomorrow) http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. The heads pressure tested good. The block is also crack free. The crank is STD/STD.


Jason

[SuperNovaSS]

The engine has been listed on EBay. Here is a link. Good luck to all bidders.
ZL-1 Engine (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2458413244)


Jason http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[rpoz11]

Let me see if I can get these up... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif OK; As you can see in the top image of the Block, the date code, at least on my Block, was located above the pan rail to the left of the lower single bolt hole for the engine mounts. I cant speak for all ZL1.s made so I am sure the placement of this dating could vary Block to Block. Hope this assists all! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[COPO]

The date locations are the same as the ZL-1 block I had.

[GMH454]

Very close. Mine are a little more level, sorry no digital camera
Date 2.4.69
No 128

Thanks for the photo

Which leads me to a question

[GMH454]

Is that date 6.3.69 ?????
Hard to tell from photo.

[rpoz11]

6 8 69 , http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[GMH454]

Jason congradulations, was a little dubious at the $17,500
asking price but you were pretty close.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif