NOS ZL1 Aluminum Block Dtd 1969

[Rich Ober]

Any idea of value? Make offer if interested. Never had a crank set in it or a bolt threaded in it.

[Tim G.]

Re: NOS ZL1 Aluminum Block Dtd 1969

I would post on the Yenko site, www.yenko.net
This site has many ZL1 Camaro owners involved, chances are better of selling to a ZL1 Camaro owner than a ZL! Corvette owner.

[Dick W.]

Re: NOS ZL1 Aluminum Block Dtd 1969

Personal opinion. You better be sitting down when you find out the value of that block, providing that the date codes will work. A first design, unstamped ZL-1 block will probably bring mega bucks.

[Joe L.]

Re: NOS ZL1 Aluminum Block Dtd 1969

Dick and Rich-----

The value of this block is entirely dependent on the needs of a very small number of surviving cars that could have originally used it. These included a small number of Camaros and a REAL small number of Corvettes. Of course, there's also the possibility that with such a block one could create a "replica" of one of the original cars (most likely a Camaro since the Corvettes are pretty well accounted for). If the block is correctly dated for one of the original cars (or,a replica" of one of the original cars), then it would have a HUGE value. Since these cars are worth way into the 6 figure range, their "core component" is commensurately valuable. Even if the date is not right, the block, itself, would still be worth a lot of money to a restorer of one of these original cars that needs such a block. It would not be worth as much as a correctly dated block, but it would still be worth a lot from the perspective of complete original configuration.

Outside of the above, and intrinsically, the block is not of high value. From a functional perspective, the current production ZL-1 block and the Merlin and Rodeck aluminum big blocks are FAR superior. No one that wanted an aluminum big block and was mostly interested in FUNCTIONAL issues would pay very much for an original ZL-1 block. At least, anyone that knew what they were doing wouldn't.

[William C.]

Re: NOS ZL1 Aluminum Block Dtd 1969

As I recall, each block is numbered in the casting, one to 300, with those blocks all being the only ones (first 300 produced) that provided the production engines. That would be the first thing I would check, and one thing that any purchaser "in the know" would also need to know. Also value depends on some of the unique ancillary parts, like the rear cam plug, it is unique to the ZL-1 also. I owned one about 15 years ago, sold it to the owner of a real car.

[Dick W.]

Re: NOS ZL1 Aluminum Block Dtd 1969

And Bill, the current blocks do not crack in the main bearing webs and lose oil pressure like the 1st design

[Mark #28455]

hard to fake a ZL1 Camaro

They supposedly have all the original VIN numbers for the ZL1 and COPO Camaros figured out. I think I also saw all the original VIN numbers for the Yenko cars posted on the web. I think I saw a complete engine on e-bay sell for about $20,000 a few months ago, the heads are not hard to get for $2000 to $5000 in NOS form, figure about $1000 or less for the crank/rods and that still leaves quite a bit for the block.
Good luck,
Mark

[Joe L.]

Re: hard to fake a ZL1 Camaro

Mark-----

ALL "fakes" are also "replicas". However, not all "replicas" are "fakes". Some may be just that-----an exact replica of the original without getting into the area of "fakery" (i.e. an attempt by the "creator" to pass it off as anything but a replica). Of course, the intentions of the "creator" are not binding on subsequent owners/sellers, so who knows what happens later?

An exact replica would not be worth as much as an original car, of course. However, if it was exact enough, it would still be a very valuable car.

[Mark #28455]

all depends

I agree with your comment re: fake vs. replica, however, you are a perfect case in point that if someone wanted to build a replica, they would just buy the new ZL1 block as it is a better block (you're well aware of the POOR reliability of the original pieces) for a lot less than a date code correct one would cost.

I personally would really enjoy a ZL1 replica, but probably not enough to justify the cost for an old block. I'd probably just get the KB or Rodeck block (with 4.5" bore and 4.25" stroke). Then again, that's why I'm building a 4.47 bore x 4.25 stroke cast iron block motor for my "driver".

Good luck with your project, I hope to see it once it's running!
Mark

[Mark #28455]

P.S. the real $ is in the '67 435's *NM*