Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

I am curious what folks opinions are relative to a Yenko block I am trying to sell. I am getting a few bites on it, but a lot of folks out there may want the Winters snow flake on the front (this block was made with nothing there).

Its got the 052 casting number on the back just like a ZL-1, and Yenko stamps under the timing cover (registered in Mark Gillipsie's invoice data, the guy that writes books on Yenkos).

So would it be foolish to maybe have someone add a winters snowflake to the front of the block and remarket the block? Could I even find someone to do it right? At $9K now for the fresh bored block (Not sold), I am thinking that may be a wise move. It may be worth a lot more with that logo added.

Opinions? Crane corvette has one on ebay with no casting number BUT has Y E N K O fonts on the front of his bare block. And he is asking $23K. His block has the same S Y stamp codes in the timing cover area too.

Bob

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

Jerry mcneisch can add the snowflake. He's done a few for friends and it's right on

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

Thank you! I feel I have the cheapest 052 block on the planet or in the universe, and its not selling for what it 'really' is, so this sounds like it makes sense to do to it. If someone wanted to remove it down the road, so it looks like it does today, they could.

Again, thank you guys on Yenko.net!

For the Yenko nostalgic guys, here is what the stamps look like in the timing cover area. In this particular case, Don Yenko blocks were stamped by the same place that machined them. This stamp meant it was destined to go back to Don Yenko's shop or the block was done for Don Yenko. Mark Gillipsie has some decoder of what the letters mean, which has to line up with the external casting details, etc. Not easy to fake (he says only 2 folks know how to decipher to the original invoices and other paperwork on the blocks).


http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/o...pspdfeudin.jpg

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

The factory ZL1 blocks have a casting date on the. ZL1 blocks are also numbered. So it makes it harder to fake. I had one 2 years ago that had a few rods exit it. The Yenko blocks are from Chevrolet molds. They made roughly 550 blocks in 69. Do to it being hard to machine them some were scrapped. I think your price is not bad, your just in a limited market. Cranes asking price IMO is unrealistic. I sold my block in favor of Chevys new castings, they have better quality control

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

They're perceived as "newer" castings...
Not a "real" GM. ZL1 block.

Limited period correct use.

No Dates.

At the same time a few years ago I had 2 Engines for sale.
A March '69. ZL1 Complete Ready to Run 488 Schwartz Machine.
&
A Yenko Engine ready to Run

I Sold the ZL1 for 2 1/2 times more with 1 listing vs the Yenko relisted 5 times.

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

Not all Yenko blocks were made from GM molds Those molds were modified over the years

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

Would you guys know how I could search for the L72 engine for the 69 yenko Camaro? My vin is 124379n616431.

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

Try here: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?board=13.0

I searched (9n616431) and nothing came up. It wouldn't hurt to join up, and post your partial vin.

Never know.

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

Thanks Lynn!

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

I say "NO" on the snowflake. I know MacNeish well and if opinions mattered, I'd bet he would say leave it off....although it would "line his pockets" by adding it. There was (might still be available) an early '69 L72 engine for sale on Baltimore, MD Craigslist recently. Turns out I know the seller's father. Sounds like it was bought at the Chevy parts counter years ago. I thought about buying it for my 977 mile ex- Super Stocker, but I'm staying with the SS/H rendition= 396/350. I have the contact phone number if anyone wants it.

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

If you had to modify the block consider putting the Yenko crest on the block. I had a Yenko clone car a few years ago that had a Yenko all aluminum motor in it. The block had the Yenko crest on the front of the block and it helped the interest in the car. In my opinion I still would not modify anything and wait. You only need one person to buy it.

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

thanks for all the opinions. Mark Gillepsie (who wrote the book on the yenko era), is releasing a book at MCACN with a lot of the details of these Yenko engines and all their variations. Although he as told me much of the details over various phone calls, looking forward to the book.

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

The crest is cool, but that little oil sand set core that created it also formed some other "tells" on the block. The set core wasn't specifically put there for the accommodation of the logo. It was needed to integrate the gas flow-offs in that intake rail area (which needed to be huge to accommodate the lower hydrostatic pressure in aluminum versus iron). Since it was a simple little core box, it became an easy (and cheap) place to machine in any casting plant identification. I'm looking forward to Mark's book too.

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

I have to apologize about the crest. The block had YENKO in block letters on the front of the block.

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

Black 69, maybe it's priced too high?? I know I bought my 052 WINTERS snow flake block for less then 1/2 that 4 years ago. And it came with a NIB Eagle 468 rotating assembly, PLUS a GM 4" crank, 7/16 rods and .030 12.5 - 1 piston. BUT mine did need to have a lifter bore repaired.

There only "worth" what someone is going to pay for it. I know of one other 052 in my area the guy was asking $5,500.00 CND new in crate. And I think there's another one for about that dollar value waiting to go in a '69 Chevelle unless he sells it.

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

I paid 1500 for my running original born with engine for my number 34 ZL1...so what? What people paid sometimes is not what it is worth... just the seller sold cheap. Ive had Yenko crest blocks, yenko lettered blocks and blocks the same as yours ..also had one same as yours with a snowflake, but not without the W in the snowflake,,If I remember correctly, it had an L in the snowflake. I sold a block same as yours on Ebay for 13k plus..and it needed machined. I sold a built dynod motor like yours for 23k... I think your price is great. Those others for 20k plus are not selling either. Hang in there and Good luck w the sale !!!

BTW..Jerry M. put a snowflake on my original block and it turned out perfect !!...the block was in a roundy round car and painted orange when I found it...apparently the guy did not want anyone to know !!!

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

I guess I am going to slow WAY down, and just realize it takes time to sell this stuff.
I have had people tell me these new blocks out there which are better than the originals, are cheaper, BUT they dont have that 052 casting number, nor are they logged in Yenko records. I am going to ask Mark G if he can make up a certificate for a fee (similiar to what Ed C did on the COPO stuff) for Yenko blocks. Can't hurt.

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

How is the block logged in the Yenko records?


Jason

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

Mark Gillespie worked at Yenko and got the records of invoices and other data of where the blocks were cast, who machined them, etc. Lots of documentation. Somehow (hopefully his book will explain), he can decipher the stamped letters to actual production date and what type of block it should look like (say winters vs lockport foundry, etc).

Some of the blocks out there, never made it back to Don Yenko's shop from where they were made, but you have to read Mark's book on the details of that, and how it happened.

Re: Yenko ZL-1 block opinion (not selling, ...why?)
 

This is really confusing. ZL1 blocks were machined on a dedicated CNC machine located up by the offices at the Tonawanda Motor Plant. I watched it machine the blocks. It had to be isolated so that the machining chips didn't get mixed in with the iron chips from the other production machines. All of the iron chips went over to the briquetting plant at the foundry for re-melting. Aluminum (even in trace amounts) is very bad for iron. This discussion must be referencing the later Yenko aluminum blocks.