1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

Quite an interesting story this guy tells on this motor. Makes the claim that this is 1 of 2 original motors from a 1969 ZL1 Corvette. What do you guys think?

Original 1969 Corvette ZL1 Motor

"I recently got ahold of the previous owner whom I bought the block from in Oklahoma. The current history on this block according to him was that a relative of his (brother I think) was an avid collector of older Corvettes and also very much into road racing back in the late 60's and early 70's. His relative purchased a new 1969 Corvette with this aluminum ZL1 engine in it. This engine was not added later, but came directly from the factory. He told me there were two 1969 Vettes sold with this engine, one yellow and one white. 1 of the 2 is owned by a collector in Seattle, Washington and we don't know the whereabouts of the #2 car.

On another note, he stated for a fact that this engine was NOT an over the counter engine/crate engine as it has a real stamped number on the deck surface (98693-B). If it was a crate engine or over the counter engine, he said it would defintely have the CEXXXX number stamped into it."

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

I think if it really was an original 1969 Chevrolet ZL1 engine that came in any car (Corvette or Camaro) from the factory, there would not have been two bidders back out of the previous 'sale'.

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

Interesting, if it is true...Because lets be honest that is one heck of a claim to make, that it is 1 of 2 ZL1 Corvette engines.

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

Its funny how tales seem to weave themselves.


Jason

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

I wonder who the previous owners brother is? Wasn't Larry Clain from Ok?

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

If this was originally out of a 1969 Corvette, I am sure that a VIN would be stamped on it somewhere.

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

I am not familiar with the aluminum engine blocks as to how they were machined, but I noticed that it has rotary cut marks on the deck pad where the numbers are. Did they use a rotary mill to surface the block or were they machined like the iron blocks which have the straightline machine marks?

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

Original 1969 Corvette ZL1 Motor

"I recently got ahold of the previous owner whom I bought the block from in Oklahoma. The current history on this block according to him was that a relative of his (brother I think) was an avid collector of older Corvettes and also very much into road racing back in the late 60's and early 70's. His relative purchased a new 1969 Corvette with this aluminum ZL1 engine in it. This engine was not added later, but came directly from the factory. He told me there were two 1969 Vettes sold with this engine, one yellow and one white. 1 of the 2 is owned by a collector in Seattle, Washington and we don't know the whereabouts of the #2 car.

On another note, he stated for a fact that this engine was NOT an over the counter engine/crate engine as it has a real stamped number on the deck surface (98693-B). If it was a crate engine or over the counter engine, he said it would defintely have the CEXXXX number stamped into it."
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[/quote]

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

I was under the impression that were only 2 built and both of the 69 ZL-1 corvettes were known..one was found in Fla??, by police in a drug raid (DEA)??..and was sold at auction to a collector..the other was Reggies jacksons..and it was lost in the fire that burned down his one of his warehouse's..now there are 3??..I smell fish

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

The white one has been in Kevin Suydam's collection for a number of years. I thought there was a rumor of an orange one which would make three....but I can't be certain. The yellow one was in a collection in Florida and I'm not sure if it still is?

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

This, the 3rd car, has been discussed on this site before:

http://www.corvettefever.com/feature...zl1/index.html

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was under the impression that were only 2 built and both of the 69 ZL-1 corvettes were known..one was found in Fla??, by police in a drug raid (DEA)??..and was sold at auction to a collector..the other was Reggies jacksons..and it was lost in the fire that burned down his one of his warehouse's..now there are 3??..I smell fish </div></div>

I don't believe Reggie Jackson ever had a ZL1 Corvette? Camaros yes, Vette no?

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

The yellow car was sold throught Hechler Chevrolet here in richmond Va....was owned by Zip Corvette and sold to a guy who turned out to be a drug dealer in Fla. The car was seized and sold to the current owner.. a Corvette dealer in Fla. My understanding is the original motor is in the car.

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

Link below to a previous thread here on John Maher's ZL1 'Vette, aka the 3'rd car..
Note the last posting was by Pantera..

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthrea...true#Post169391

Rip Larry Clain..
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img]
~ Pete

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

The Gulf car is/was owned by Dr Fred Simeone of Philly

Pics on post #9

http://www.ccdv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6204

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

----Those of us that follow 1969 ZL-1 Corvettes think that there are at least 4 that were built on the assembly line and at least one that was a tech-center built mule. We have gone over this on another sight that I no longer participate on (NCRS). Why there are only two on the production lists that have been used as bibles for years is a mystery. One of the bigger Corvette restoration places in the country has been after that 4th ZL-1 for about 4 years. He obviously wont divulge much info, but I happened to catch him at a weak moment about 2 years ago and he admitted to its existence!......Bill S

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

As for the block in question on ebay, I am the owner selling the block.

If you guys could clearly &quot;read&quot;, I put in the auction that I can't verify the history on the block, but reporting exactly what I was told about the block. I just would like to know what the block is, so I can accurately sell it. I really don't care to know all the Johnnys Uncles brothers cousin sold it to Jim who knew bob and then Billy bought it back. Thats not what I'm after. This block has sat in the corner of my body shop for 17+ years, so its not something I recently bought.

I posted up back in December trying to get some help from you guys, and pretty much got nothing. No one seems to be able to figure out what the 98683-B on the deck surface means or is attached too.

Anyone have any insight?

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Pritchard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think if it really was an original 1969 Chevrolet ZL1 engine that came in any car (Corvette or Camaro) from the factory, there would not have been two bidders back out of the previous 'sale'. </div></div>

Well the winning bidder couldn't come up with the cash. The second buyer was a company out of California who makes pulleys and drive systems for older cars.

He &quot;supposedly&quot; was buying the block for a customer overseas and then he stopped calling and answering his phone 2-3 weeks later.

If you can believe that people back out of auctions, then you have never dealt with ebay.

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SMKN TA 95</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As for the block in question on ebay, I am the owner selling the block.

If you guys could clearly &quot;read&quot;, I put in the auction that I can't verify the history on the block, but reporting exactly what I was told about the block. I just would like to know what the block is, so I can accurately sell it. I really don't care to know all the Johnnys Uncles brothers cousin sold it to Jim who knew bob and then Billy bought it back. Thats not what I'm after. This block has sat in the corner of my body shop for 17+ years, so its not something I recently bought.

I posted up back in December trying to get some help from you guys, and pretty much got nothing. No one seems to be able to figure out what the 98683-B on the deck surface means or is attached too.

Anyone have any insight? </div></div>

If you can't (won't) verify the history of the block your UPDATE in your auction is a bedtime story. Smoke. Hype. Misleading. That's what I &quot;read&quot;.

You have a contact that can lead you to the block's history. That's more than a lot of people have. Why not follow it up, make some phone calls? Oh right, because you don't care about that...

You likely have a Can-Am block. Not an original Vette block. Want to prove me wrong? Make some calls. Do some work. That's how the people who know waaaay more than me (or you) on this site did it. Good luck to you.

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

I saw the &quot;Gulf&quot; ZL-1 Vette a number of years ago at a car show in Pittsburgh. Needless to say, that thing is AMAZING.

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tracker1</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SMKN TA 95</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As for the block in question on ebay, I am the owner selling the block.

If you guys could clearly &quot;read&quot;, I put in the auction that I can't verify the history on the block, but reporting exactly what I was told about the block. I just would like to know what the block is, so I can accurately sell it. I really don't care to know all the Johnnys Uncles brothers cousin sold it to Jim who knew bob and then Billy bought it back. Thats not what I'm after. This block has sat in the corner of my body shop for 17+ years, so its not something I recently bought.

I posted up back in December trying to get some help from you guys, and pretty much got nothing. No one seems to be able to figure out what the 98683-B on the deck surface means or is attached too.

Anyone have any insight? </div></div>


If you can't (won't) verify the history of the block your UPDATE in your auction is a bedtime story. Smoke. Hype. Misleading. That's what I &quot;read&quot;.

You have a contact that can lead you to the block's history. That's more than a lot of people have. Why not follow it up, make some phone calls? Oh right, because you don't care about that...

You likely have a Can-Am block. Not an original Vette block. Want to prove me wrong? Make some calls. Do some work. That's how the people who know waaaay more than me (or you) on this site did it. Good luck to you. </div></div>

As for doing history on the block, I've already done that and to no avail. I've made more calls on this block than I care to admit. NO ONE can tell me exactly what the block is as of yet. The main 3 things that don't add up are the Deck surface number (98683-B), the 4.42 bore, and the fuel pump boss is there.



I've talked to the guy who I bought the block from to find out history on in. The only thing he can tell me is what I have put in the for sale add on ebay. You can call me a liar all you want, but it is coming from HIS mouth not mine. We tried contacting the &quot;original&quot; owner before the guy in Oklahoma but he passed away. So unless you have some other talents besides being a key board warrior, I don't believe I will be able to find out the history from a man that is 6 feet under.



I'm not sure how you can get information on something when guys don't want to help, answer their phones or just plain don't know. I know enough about these blocks to be dangerous, but I don't want to be the know all person. I'm just trying to get rid of this for a family member and try to avoid all of the tire kickers out there.



Have a good day!

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

If you were aware of this board, why didn't you ask questions about the block earlier?

What do you mean by, &quot; I know enough about these blocks to be dangerous?&quot;

Its a Can Am block with a non production code stamped on the deck. I'm sure it has history, which almost certainly does not involve a production vehicle.



Jason

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SuperNovaSS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you were aware of this board, why didn't you ask questions about the block earlier?</div></div>

Says he did:

&quot;I posted up back in December trying to get some help from you guys, and pretty much got nothing. No one seems to be able to figure out what the 98683-B on the deck surface means or is attached too.&quot;

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RamAirDave</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SuperNovaSS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you were aware of this board, why didn't you ask questions about the block earlier?</div></div>

Says he did:

&quot;I posted up back in December trying to get some help from you guys, and pretty much got nothing. No one seems to be able to figure out what the 98683-B on the deck surface means or is attached too.&quot; </div></div>

Here's the post from December:

post

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

98683-B sounds similar to what the work order # that was stamped on my actual 67 Pace car engine.

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">98683-B sounds similar to what the work order # that was stamped on my actual 67 Pace car engine.</div></div>

Zora's test/press car block???!!!
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

As far as stampings go, wasn't the bulk of the 80 or whatever service engines ME stamped like the installed cars had (but Vinless) and were there ever actually any CE's?.

Welcome aboard Brian!.
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

First off... welcome (again) to Yenko.net

Some guys here tend to be a bit cynical and view folks trying to sell something as if they were Bernie Madoff himself! Sure seems like you are someone just trying to sell an interesting block.

I hope u get some additional information as this is THE place to find out exactly what you have there. Good luck and bite your tounge if you feel like typing a nasty response to any posts!

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

It sounds like a work order number...actually could be a machine shop work order number. The first set of alum heads I had worked on the machime shop stamped 1/4&quot; 6 digit and 1 letter numbesr in the front of each head. It was thier work order number. I almost died when I picked up the heads.

I owned a ML stamped ZL-1 block with no VIN. One of the vette motors that never got used.

I thought i hit the jackpot when I realized it had the code for the vette. Although it had no VIN, I figured it had to be one of two.
After a few days and some research I realized what I had.

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

So what is the consensus on this block? Is it a Can Am block? Would what was posted about the block be on it if it were a Can Am block??

&quot;The main 3 things that don't add up are the Deck surface number (98683-B), the 4.42 bore, and the fuel pump boss is there.&quot;

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: iluv69s</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It sounds like a work order number...actually could be a machine shop work order number. The first set of alum heads I had worked on the machime shop stamped 1/4&quot; 6 digit and 1 letter numbesr in the front of each head. It was thier work order number. I almost died when I picked up the heads.

I owned a ML stamped ZL-1 block with no VIN. One of the vette motors that never got used.

I thought i hit the jackpot when I realized it had the code for the vette. Although it had no VIN, I figured it had to be one of two.
After a few days and some research I realized what I had.
</div></div>


ML is a ZL-1 Camaro code.

http://www.camaros.org/copo.shtml

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: William</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: iluv69s</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I owned a ML stamped ZL-1 block with no VIN. One of the vette motors that never got used.

</div></div>


ML is a ZL-1 Camaro code.

http://www.camaros.org/copo.shtml </div></div>


Exactly!.

ML = Camaro ZL1 Stick

MM = Camaro ZL1 Auto

Again, were there ever actually any CE's?.


[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

There is 2 CE coded ZL1 blocks at ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Original-...eQ5fCarQ5fParts

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Chev...sQ5fAccessories

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

Great on the CE examples on eBay!.
Note the 05/69 and 06/69 casting dates..
To recap, the subject block also eBay examples and the ME-ML-MM suffix engines are all casting 3946052..

Does the engine production #'s quoted in the subject block ad also one eBay ad represent anything real?.
Is the quantity of 80 'Vette ME engines known to be a good #?.
Aside from the quantity of 69 units supplied for ZL1 Camaro production, is the actual ML and MM engine production by suffix known?.

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

Here is some old info.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/ZL1proda.jpg

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COPO_Anders</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here is some old info.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/ZL1proda.jpg </div></div>

What is the significance of the 7/17/69 build date on the COPO Camaro Engines?...was this when 1969 production year was initially supposed to end?

Re: 1 of 2 Original 1969 ZL1 Corvette Blocks
 

94 Corvette ZL-1 engines, plus 90 Camaro ZL-1 engines = 184 ZL-1 engines.
052 Can-Am Blocks ?