ZL 1 #69

[kwhizz]

I heard that ZL 1 #69 was reunited with it's original block that Heartbeat Jim had........Gotta be a neat story behind that reunion.........Any stories or Info????

Ken

[camaromb]

The original trans is still in the Chicago area! Jim sure finds quite a few original ZL1 motors. Last year or so he sold the # 58 engine to its current owner. If I was the car owner I'd like to see the motor vin stamp and compare it to the original trans that was bought years ago, as much as theses cars are worth I know I don't trust that ANYTHING is original anymore!
Mark

[Joe]

there was one in NJ where i live years ago , i saw it the guy had it in a 57 chevy . He had the motor for years he claims . where it is now ? i'd have to track down that 57 .

[nuch_ss396]

I have heard so many negative things about the original ZL-1
blocks in terms of oil leaking right through the castings,
weak bulk-heads on the mains, etc. that I wonder the liklihood
of any of the original 69 blocks surviving - given the intended
use of them to start with.

I'm not throwing darts, but with only 69 of them built anyway,
how many of the original blocks survived racing? Do any
of you guys remember seeing or hearing about these things
blowing-up back in the day? Just wondering

[Charley Lillard]

More and more seem to get found but it is understandable. I would find it hard to throw away a aluminum big block, even a damaged one. Now that the cars have become worth so much you can throw alot of money at repairing a damaged block. Reggie Jackson spent a bunch repairing the orig block for his ZL1. Aluminum is alot easier to repair than cast iron.

[MosportGreen66]

[ QUOTE ]
there was one in NJ where i live years ago , i saw it the guy had it in a 57 chevy . He had the motor for years he claims . where it is now ? i'd have to track down that 57 .

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you're right. He also has a Hugger/Black '69 COPO.

[Mr70]

Wasn't ZL-1 #69 considered destroyed early in it's life, not so long ago?
I thought I read that on here,as well as Eds site a few years back.

[nuch_ss396]

Charley!

That's a great point. I guess if I spent almost $4,000
on an aluminum 427, I'd save it as well. Makes a hell of
a door stop...

BTW, I'd still like to know the true facts on the longevity
of the original ZL-1 blocks.

[csx289]

The original engine for #18 was out of the car when I bought it - had a crack at the head mating surface and a hairline casting defect/porous area on an oil galley. Took a very, very skilled engine builder and a great welder to fix. Was not cheap. And this was a block in great shape, not blown or damaged, just normal casting issues and factory defects.

Happy to say that it is fixed right and in the car, where ever it may be today.

Colin

[GRB]

I will double check this but I believe the NHRA made the race cars #51-69 switch to iron blocks after Lamar Walden beat the class record in Gainesville, FL by around a second right out of the box. That is, after the head problems were solved. I'm not sure any of those racers were thinking about collector value but rather trying to make ends meet from week to week.