how many zl1 motors were made
 

It seems that there are more 3946052 ZL1 blocks popping up on ebay every day. From what I understood there were only 69 camaro's and 2 corvette,s and maybe 18 or so over the counter motors. And how do you tell if it is a over the counter motor from one that came in a car from a can am motor? I own one that doesnt have any dates or vin #'s on it, just a cast number. Mine came from Washington state and has a history of being in that state for at least 25-30 years or so.

[image]http://www.pbase.com/paule/image/51956005[/image]

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Wasent there a bunch made for boats?

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Just thinking about the GM repop ZL1 blocks and wondering if any are being passed off as originals? . Here's a link below to one supplier. ~ Pete

http://69.20.110.81/index.asp?PageAc...p;ProdID=22582

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Probably not. The originals had nice sand cast dates in them. I dont know if the new ones do but if they do I dont think they'd cast in a date of 1969. Plus the new blocks are redesigned for strenght. The old blocks are really cool but Grumpy Jenkins called them "junk"

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

The new blocks have screw in freeze plugs, and a few other updates but they are cast from the original molds. I remember reading about when the guy found them in the Winters Foundry. Said that they were in almost perfect shape as not too many blocks were cast in relation to useful life cycle of the molds.

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

What a find that was! . So do the new ones have the Winters Foundry casting mark....and what's the head situation? ~ Pete

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

The old blocks have screw in freeze plugs as well.


Jason

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Has anyone used one of these new ZL1 blocks? I was thinking of building a motor with one as a base but was wondering how happy people where with them. Are they good quality for the money? I know that I could probably cover the cost of most of a crate 502 for the price of a new ZL1 block but that all aluminum block heads and intake would look sweet when you open the hood not to mention the weight difference. I thought that I had heard at SCR8 that COPO PETE's white copo has one of these in it and that thing fly's. If anyone has any information on these or knows anyone that has worked with them I'd appreciate hearing about them. Thanks in advance. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif Jesse

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

I do have one of those new blocks. I built a complete ZL-1 engine with ZL-1 heads,manifold,carb,distributor, and NOS Zl-1 cam,pistons,crank,rods,etc. and run it in my 69 SS Camaro. The block is outstanding quality, the engine is the same weight as a small block. The new block has the early ZL-1 casting number 3946053 and no "Winters" snowflake on the front.

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

I know a guy that has 7 of the original ZL-1's. One is out of his 4000 mile orange ZL-1 Vette and the other 6 were over the counter

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

I thought I'd share this here.
This is an original 2 page Flyer mailed out to the P&A Manager at the Chevrolet dealerships.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...papers0005.jpg

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...papers0001.jpg

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

i'll take one, please

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Just one! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/laugh.gif

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

I too am curious about production amount. I have an aluminum 427, casting # 3940652, I cannot find a serial # but on the passenger side down low next to oil pan it has a # 66 stamped in it. what is the rareity and value?

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Is there a cast date on the block? Is there a number below the cast date? Also look at the back of the block in line with the distributor there should be a number stamped there also.

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

For those that are interested in the new ZL-1 block here are some pics of mine right out of the crate. After taking it to the machine shop they have had a stream of people coming by to see it and commenting on it's high quality. I know I'm very happy with it. Not quite the nostalgia of the old one but a much better built and looking block.

http://www.katyclassiccars.com/ZL12/zl1b.jpg

http://www.katyclassiccars.com/ZL12/zl1a.jpg

http://www.katyclassiccars.com/ZL12/zl1c.jpg

http://www.katyclassiccars.com/ZL12/zl1d.jpg

http://www.katyclassiccars.com/ZL12/zl1e.jpg

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

That's a cool engine Rick! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...96/ZL1prod.jpg I found this in an old 1987 muscle car review.sorry this is as clear as I can make it,

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Although helpful Les, Preve's listing above shows only F-body suffix ZL1 motors and doesn't appear to include the Vette ZL1's nor any supplied to McLaren and other Can-Am teams etc. . Isn't there something about 5 or 7 'Vette ZL1 motors being originally produced then some returned? . Can the Can-Am motors can be referred to as a ZLI since they're a different displacement? . Are all the Winters Alum. blocks the same casting number? . Perhaps the question could be....what other GM-Winters Alum. block motors were released to add to these known F-car engines resulting in what Grand Total? ~ Pete

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Rick, What was the # of your block on the paper that was att. to the block mine is ici-016

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Can someone please point out the EXTERNAL differences, between the new block and the old block? I want to do a ZL1 clone for FS/FAST racing, and I've about given up on finding an original block to work with.

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

The new block has thicker deck and main bearing area. Good for 900 HP. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif What I have been told is anything over 800HP on the org blocks BOOM They won't hold up.

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Kim

That's a good question. I can't remember where I put the paper work. I'll have to find it and let you know. Is there some significance to the number?

Rick

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Rick, I bought mine 5 years ago and I was wondering what # yours was to come up with how many had been sold.

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Dah Steve I didn't read your question right. The block outside looks very close to org. blocks. There is no winters flake on the new one also the grain look of the block is different. Hopes this helps.

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

[ QUOTE ]
I know a guy that has 7 of the original ZL-1's. One is out of his 4000 mile orange ZL-1 Vette and the other 6 were over the counter

[/ QUOTE ]

Every discussion on ZL-1 Vette's that I have ever heard
about only mentioned two. One yellow and the other white.
Where did this orange one come from? Is it verified as a
true ZL-1?

Steve

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

`after owning a couple of the vintage ZL1 blocks / ZL1 motors I think now I would rather own a new block like this one here in the box, wow what a masterpiece. Too bad it's almost twice the money $10.k minimum cdn https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/shocked.gif plus 2 taxes 15% here in Canada from my GM parts dealer. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

[ QUOTE ]
`after owning a couple of the vintage ZL1 blocks / ZL1 motors I think now I would rather own a new block like this one here in the box, wow what a masterpiece. Too bad it's almost twice the money $10.k minimum cdn https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/shocked.gif plus 2 taxes 15% here in Canada from my GM parts dealer. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Are these new ZL-1 blocks gen IV compatible? In other
words, can you mount the original ZL-1 top end, distributor,
oil pan, timing cover, water pump, original crank, etc..?

Steve

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

yes you can and I will if I can get one reasonably priced, I have another pair of NOS 077 ZL1 heads and an 198 intake I was saving to use on my next project, but this one i was going to make it 12-1 comp ratio.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

[ QUOTE ]
`after owning a couple of the vintage ZL1 blocks / ZL1 motors I think now I would rather own a new block like this one here in the box, wow what a masterpiece. Too bad it's almost twice the money $10.k minimum cdn https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/shocked.gif plus 2 taxes 15% here in Canada from my GM parts dealer. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I was looking on the web at a site that has the new block listed and it is $6,250.00. They seem to have a pretty reasonable price on most of their engines although I only started looking recently.The link is-

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...0-P233C24.aspx

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Check with your local dealer. I bought mine for 5050.00 but that was several years ago.

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Check this out..http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/304/...inum-Block.htm

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

THANKS that's more like it $4689.95.
mike https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Another https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/stupid.gif question if you please.

Can this new ZL-1 block support the use of the later
14011077 heads? Obviously, these heads don't require those
special two inverted lifter valley head bolts.

And while I'm on that subject, can annyone tell me where
you can get the correct head bolts for this monster? I
remember seeing a complete set of NOS ZL-1 head bolts on
eBay two years ago. EXPENSIVE! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Steve

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

You will have to go with ARP bolts. They don't have a set for this application, and they don't have studs to fit. You have to measure each bolt-3 different sizes for 074 heads. The new block has deeper threads so the NOS bolts are not the best fit.

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

On the original question, can't tell but remember a GM executive and former NCRS president gave me an estimate of 300 +. Probably conservative

Have a block, ex Greenwood. Which has GM stamping on the pad of 1-8880-A, Porterfield gave me copies of some GM notes that indicated similar numbers went to McLaren and think Donahue (have not looked at them in 10 yrs.)This was dated in the 70's and may have been Can Am blocks, but the numbers were in the same range.

People talk about these being sold by GM, personally think most were back doored.
Who would pay the price of a new car, to buy an engine that in Drags was no advantage due to the weight cap, and in A-prod they were not referred to as grenades for nothing.

Remember in a early Vette mag a photo of Greenwood clearing out the last 16 around 76 or 77.

Wish GM had kept better paperwork.

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

If they had better paperwork it would take away the mystic. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif


Jason

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Here is something that I found in another forum. I guess it refers to "production" GM motors only. Don't take this as Gospel of course, but FWIW:

"A total of only ninety (90) ZL1 engines were built: fifty-four (54) in the COPO 9560 manual transmission configuration, thirty-four (34) in the COPO 9560 automatic transmission configuration, one (1) in the COPO 9567 manual transmission configuration, and one (1) in the COPO 9567 automatic transmission configuration for the other prototype Camaro.

"Of those ninety engines, sixty-nine (69) were put in COPO 9560 cars (47 manual, 22 automatic), two (2) were put in 1969 Corvettes, and two (2) were put in the COPO 9567 cars, leaving seventeen (17) crate engines (5 manual, 12 automatic)."

http://www.camaros.net/forum/ultimat...38.html#000000

Re: how many zl1 motors were made
 

Those are Camaro engine totals. A whole other batch of Vette engines were made (that have the Vette engine codes on them) and lots of bare blocks.