LOOK WHAT I FOUND IN A PLASTIC BAG

[ZL1mike]

I want to share this treasure I found a couple of days ago not 10 minites away from my home and shop that's been sitting in a back room on that craddle in the pic for 15 years. At that time 1989 the motor was freshened and blue printed and fogged and put in a plastic bag till this week, the previous owner tells me he had it since 1983 and he bought it from King Racing ( awaiting the paper work) however that did not stop me from looking at the motor and purchasing it in our first meeting. My engine shop put me in touch with this guy and they had work order sheets and blue print sheets and info as far back as 1983. This engine is std std.
Mike http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[ZL1mike]

another

[Seattle Sam]

[ QUOTE ]
At that time 1989 the motor was freshened and blue printed and fogged and put in a plastic bag till this week, ..... This engine is std std.
Mike http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif Very cool Mike! What do you mean by "fogged"? Sprayed with oil? What would keep the crank,rods,etc from rusting in that plastic bag?

Thanks! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
-Sam

[ZL1mike]

another 1

[ZL1mike]

The engine was kept in his office so I'm hoping for the best results when we open it up to inspect it and document it further with pics. Yes oil spraying of all the components for storage, you see my engine guys are Mercury Marine pros so if any body knows moisture thses guys would.

[ZL1mike]

again another

[ZL1mike]

drivers side head

[ZL1mike]

passenger side head

[ZL1mike]

Last for now http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[resto4u]

What is the vin#, who's car does this belong too? Roger

[ZL1mike]

Not just sure yet Roger but next week we will be tearing into it and I'm awaiting a portfolio of info on it. I wonder if any of the members have heard of King Racing, next week I will have more info on them as well.
Mike

[Mr70]

Great news Mike.
Can you notice a VIN# down by the Oil Filter?

[ZL1mike]

Thanks mr70 but it's locked away for the weekend in my engine shop ( they close weekends ) but Monday I will have a good look and post my findings right away. I don't see much in this pic though.
Mike

[John Brown]

[ QUOTE ]
I wonder if any of the members have heard of King Racing

[/ QUOTE ]

There was a King Speed Shop in the Chicago area in the 70's. Their cars raced at US 30 and Osceola back then. Could that be the same shop? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[olredalert]

--------Used to stop in at Kings every now and them. The scuttlebut back then was that the owner had backing from none other than Mohammid Ali(AKA Cassius Clay). Never knew if that was true but supposedly he did some work for Ali and Ali took a liking to him. You could see the place from 294 and the remains of the building may still be there. Since its closed I dont look that direction when coming into Chi-town anymore..........Bill S

[SuperNovaSS]

What a find!! Congrats Mike!


Jason

[ZL1mike]

I think Kings Racing was out of New York ? not to sure untill I get some paper work from the previous owner later, but I did have coffee with my engine guys this morning and the date on the side of the block was-
181
2 27 69
I will have to get the oil pan off later this week and get some more pics but my business won't let me get to that till maybe wed or so. I don't see any numbers near the oil filter but again till I have a real good look http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

And Thanks Jason, I know you had one of these till alittle while ago.

Mike

[ZL1mike]

We finally opened her up

[ZL1mike]

another one-

[ZL1mike]

We removed one head and found brand new pistons, just like we had been told 12 or 13-1 or so untill we do some checking http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif they are huge domes.

[ZL1mike]

Removed the second head and cam and rods all are oiled nicely and was fresh, too bad I had to tear it down for inspection.

[ZL1mike]

074 head

[ZL1mike]

We found Callies con rods in the bottom end.

[ZL1mike]

Sorry for all the posts, one more and then I'll go away.

[ZL1mike]

Last one

[GMH454]

Could you please put up the casting dates and numbers.
More info the better.
Thanks for sharing. Great find.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
Sorry for all the posts, one more and then I'll go away.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't be silly...keep posting! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[ZL1mike]

Thanks -
I agree the more info the better and when these motors are put together nobody really gets a good look other than the owner.

We did find the timing chain a little slack for my liking so it gets one of those.

[ZL1mike]

the cam buttom we found was a flat roller bearing type.

[ZL1mike]

Any body know this number on the balacer ?
#3870325

[ZL1mike]

7115 427 ci crankshaft

[ZL1mike]

date on the block 2 27 69 and 181

[Mr70]

I don't have my books here now,but I believe the correct Dampner number should be #3879623 for the ZL-1.
Nice pix. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[ZL1mike]

oil filter pad

[JChlupsa]

69 ZL1

DAMPNER 3879623 8" ‘623’ IDENTIFICATION


--------------------------

L72
HARMONIC DAMPER 3870325

[ZL1mike]

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

[ZL1mike]

Update:
We had look around and did a piston to valve check and found it to be lots of clearance.
pic 1

[ZL1mike]

pic 2

[ZL1mike]

pic 3

[x44d80]

Nice pics. Sorry to get off the subject but does anyone know if the 4speed bellhousings were left natural or could they have been painted black from the factory like the timing chain cover. Why I ask is I can see small bits of black overspray on my Alum block on the front where the timing chain cover was painted and on the rear where the bellhousing mated up. Ed's book says natural on the bellhousing so I think mine might have been "touched up" years ago. It does look cool in black though.

[ZL1mike]

update-
Well we finally finished checking and measuring every thing and putting all the pieces together and run it yesterday morning for breakin and let it cool down and tighten all loose bolts and retorque the heads and intake and this morning ran it for about 20-25 minutes. Wow what music out of the 4" exhaust pipes on the dyno 12.3 -1 compression with VP race fuel at 36 degrees of timing. No hp numbers as we all agreed not to hang it's tounge out but to perhaps run it on the chassis dyno later on. Took me a while but now we are going to install this motor in my 69 camaro for some test and tune for the month of Sept. Might be a little tricky to keep this car straight as the BFG's will not be up for the job and I tend to be a little lead footed. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif
mike

[ZL1mike]

another view

[ZL1mike]

b e v

[JoeG]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif--Did you run this just on a mechanical fuel pump, or was it back-up with an electric fuel pump-?

[ZL1mike]

No electric fuel pump JoeG just the Holley mechanical 110 gph pump on it's own. btw the carb is a Quick Fuel 950 cfm and the spark plugs looked great as well.Very crisp throttle response and it idles around 1000 rpm (not for long)but long enough to hear that ZL1 camshaft lumps. A whole different story once it's in the car with exhaust and in gear I'm sure.
Mike

[ZL1mike]

dyno 4

[ZL1mike]

dyno 5 - back side of the motor

[ZL1mike]

dyno 6 another view of the back of the motor and last for now, I will take more pics when we swap the ZL1 motors next week and post pics then. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
thanks Mike

[Pantera]

After you swap them can I have the old one..??? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[ZL1mike]

Let me think about that no - but hey Pantera I like the way you think. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

tc Mike

[Motion Camaro]

<font color="blue">When you get it in the car, maybe you can post a short video. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I think that is the best find one person can trip over. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif
How did you happen to come across this? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

I am going to start combing the area to see if I can find anything that cool. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif </font>

[ZL1mike]

I'm going to try and get it done this weekend coming, It's a long weekend for us here in Canada ( Labour Day )however I don't have a digi cam corder but just a regular VHS cam corder, but will see what I can do.

Motion Mike thanks for asking but you are right on about one person finding this and tripping over it, a real piece of history and I like to think it's a Blast from the past. lol http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I have a couple of friends of mine who own a engine shop for 35 years and counting, not to far from my shop who are Mercury Marine and street &amp; strip pros and just plain know their stuff about all engines and over coffee 3 to 4 times a week or the odd lunch we talk big block chevy, we always talk big block chevy and we traced my other aluminum motor right to their shop back in the day and Ronnie the senior partner worked on these motors and also was the tech official for the local track on the weekends.

They told me of another ZL1 motor they had done 15 years earlier in a vette that just rocked the streets and strip and even the Mosport road corse, this Corvette had side pipes and they recall being way to loud infact it was rude how loud that car was for the street, so I asked if the motor was still around and if it was for sale and that's what started the ball rolling. They even had paperwork and a copy of the engine blueprint sheets from 1983, talking with the previous owner he did tell me they dynoed the engine back then and made 640 hp at the crank with Av gas and an 850 carb, not sure what the rpm was but he did go on to tell me he did rev it up as high as 8500 rpm ( scary )at Mosport road course in the straights and black tracking the tires. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

I said in one of my first posts that this ZL1 motor was not for $ale but the previous owner did say I can come over and we can talk about it and funny how things work out. I'm lucky to be at the right place at the right time to purchase such a cool engine.
My advice is all the stories you here, check them all out and you will end up with one of those barn finds or in my case a bag find btw this bag was under the previous owners desk for 15 years + just sitting there and nobody knowing what it was.
thanks Mike

[427TJ]

Cal Custom BBC valve covers are the coolest. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[ZL1mike]

I agree with you 427TJ I like the Cal Custom covers because they clear the roller rockers as well as looking cool, lets hope they clear my brake booster. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

In my last post I forgot to mention this motor had dry sump oiling system while in the Corvette.

Mike

[ZL1mike]

Finally it runs and boy does it haul, no pics yet but I will post some next week. I had the camaro out last night ( friday )for a cruise around town with my son and burnt almost a tank of fuel a 50 - 50 mix, fun wow. A person can get into a lot of trouble with this much power, http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif
I can only imagine how it was back in 1969 with a car like the Copo's and Yenko's and ZL1's on the street just cleaning up all the cash street racing. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif
I also installed a 3800 stall convertor when we installed the motor and the car seems to like it even with the 331 rear gears. mike

more to come.

[JoeG]

Sounds really http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif Mike---hope you can get the video to work--
quote: I can only imagine how it was back in 1969 with a car like the Copo's and Yenko's and ZL1's on the street just cleaning up all the cash street racing. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif quote:
------OH YEAH----Those guys didn't clean up all the cash http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[nuch_ss396]

Mike,

Care to tell us how many $$ that ZL-1 engine cost when you
bought it? If I want to dream about finding one of these
somewhere, I would need to know how pricy my dream would be.

Steve

[ZL1mike]

Pics, well with the engine removed and a quick power wash to the eng compartment I changed the torque converter from 3000 stall to a 3800 stall and later on changed half of the starter wire harness.

[ZL1mike]

almost there

[ZL1mike]

it's in and fits just like home, runs sounds and feels just awesume and oh ya smells good too.

[ZL1mike]

Well steve thanks for asking but I'll tell you this much, I sold a real nice 1963 Split window Corvette an original survivor 327 300 hp 4 gear car from Cailfornia and with the $$$$$ I bought the 052 ZL1 engine and a 69 Camaro shell also rust free car. To better answer your question I know of a ZL1 engine for sale for $25 k. not quite like my 052 engine but I guess when empty blocks sell for $12 k you should have $18 to $25 ready cash. Just my 2 cents http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Mike

[Eddie M.]

Mike..what pan is that your using? does it hang down passed the headers?
Looks good bet it will run good too http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif
Eddie

[JoeG]

Enjoyed watching this all come together http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif----How about a picture of the engines new home---

[ZL1mike]

I wanted an oil pan with 7 qts or so so I ordered a Milodon 30950 pan and it fit so nice and it's 8 1/2" deep and does not hang below the headers. I've ordered another one for the ZL1 motor I removed from the car.

Yes Eddie It does have some get up and go, what a fun ride.
thanks Mike
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

Hey JoeG here's a pic of the car with my 16 year old son sitting in the car, probably dreaming lol.
Mike

[jimbo]

Bet you cant do a burnout! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[JoeG]

Very http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif http://www.yenko.net/attachments/100940-24%20g.jpg----what size tires, they really fill the wells nice--

[GNT]

As usual Mike.Very nice car.You have way too many.Every time we meet you have another amazing deal to tell me about.I think I will start tailing you so I can scoop one of those deals.I saw Peter M last weekend at the auction.He hasn't changed much except that you can actually get a few words in when you talk to him now.How about you and me get together for a run so I can add you to my list of BBs that I have blown away?Maybe you wouldn't want to risk splitting that valuable piece of tin foil open;)
Take care Mike.