72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

[William T.]

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen

I am a Corvette virgin so please be gentle...

I am looking to buy my first Corvette and have come across a 1972 LT-1 with the VIN (according to my friend Google) aligning with an Oct 71 build LT-1 coupe. The vehicle is advertised as being factory fitted with an engine destined for a ZR-1 and duly shows a photograph of the engine pad with a V0927CKZ stamp. Unfortunately no original docs.

I have no reason to not believe the owner but I am also aware of my inexperience and, therefore, a touch cautious. I would be very interested in any opinions from more experienced people on the credibility of the situation. My thoughts are that if I uncertain now (that said, please note virgin status), other people may also have doubts if I were to choose to buy it and then try and sell it some time in the future.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Will

[Patrick B.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

The ZR-1 engine code denotes a small flywheel and and an M-22 transmission, rather than a large flywheel and an M-21 or M-20 transmission. Does the VIN stamping on the engine and transmission match the car VIN? What is the P2XXXX number on the transmission? Is the starter snout aluminum or cast iron?

Attach the photo of the engine pad.

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen

I am a Corvette virgin so please be gentle...

I am looking to buy my first Corvette and have come across a 1972 LT-1 with the VIN (according to my friend Google) aligning with an Oct 71 build LT-1 coupe. The vehicle is advertised as being factory fitted with an engine destined for a ZR-1 and duly shows a photograph of the engine pad with a V0927CKZ stamp. Unfortunately no original docs.

I have no reason to not believe the owner but I am also aware of my inexperience and, therefore, a touch cautious. I would be very interested in any opinions from more experienced people on the credibility of the situation. My thoughts are that if I uncertain now (that said, please note virgin status), other people may also have doubts if I were to choose to buy it and then try and sell it some time in the future.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Will

Will-----


There were only two significant differences between a ZR-1 LT-1 engine assembly (CKZ) and regular LT-1 engine assembly. These are as follows:

1) The ZR-1 LT-1 uses a 12-3/4" flywheel and 10.4" clutch whereas the regular LT-1 uses a 14" flywheel and 11" clutch. These can be externally discerned by the bellhousing. The ZR-1 LT-1 uses a GM #3858403 bellhousing and the non ZR-1 uses the GM #3899621 bellhousing. The part numbers are prominently displayed on the bellhousings;

2) The ZR-1 LT-1 is fitted with a "6 quart" oil pan and the non ZR-1 LT-1 is fitted with a "5 quart" oil pan.

So, what bellhousing and what oil pan does the engine in this car have?

By the way, it's THEORETICALLY possible that the ZR-1 engine could have been converted to non ZR-1 configuration at St. Louis but I HIGHLY doubt it.

[Michael W.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

Will-

1972 was the first year that the engine type was encoded into the VIN. There was no special character for the ZR-1 option- it used the same 'L' as an LT-1.

[William T.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

Thanks all for your responses.

I haven't yet been to see the car so I cannot answer all of the questions asked. I have attached the photo of the pad stamp (I think).

The owner says the transmission is the M21.

Cheers

Will

[Roy V.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

have seen this car come up for sale twice in the last couple of years, once on ebay and the other time on the corvette forum for sale section. Owner swears its legit, but no paperwork to back it up.I'm with Joe L and agree its highly unlikely it left the factory that way.
Regards
Roy

note: added some links from corvetteforum.com

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-general/2251502-1972-zr-1-a.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-general/2249625-c3-zr-engine-code-ckz.html

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

Thanks all for your responses.

I haven't yet been to see the car so I cannot answer all of the questions asked. I have attached the photo of the pad stamp (I think).

The owner says the transmission is the M21.

Cheers

Will

I don't think that St. Louis stamped those characters on that pad...

[John H.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

I don't think that St. Louis stamped those characters on that pad...

I don't think Flint V-8 did either.

[William T.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

Thanks guys

Kind of what I suspected. It is still a very neat looking car but the engine does not belong.

Cheers

Will

[Mark D.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

I don't think Flint V-8 did either.

Vetteheads, ya gotta love em.

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

Thanks all for your responses.

I haven't yet been to see the car so I cannot answer all of the questions asked. I have attached the photo of the pad stamp (I think).

The owner says the transmission is the M21.

Cheers

Will

Will-----


That's got to be about the worst stamp job I've ever seen. It's absolutely atrocious. We don't need Al Grenning to pass judgement on this one.

In fact, the obvious lack of sophistication and savvy on the part of the klutz who did the stamping is probably responsible for the errant use of the "CKZ" suffix code-----he did not realize that was an LT-1 suffix code for ZR-1 only.

[Michael H.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

Will-----


That's got to be about the worst stamp job I've ever seen. .

May be tied for 1st with the Fonawanda stamp on that 67 435.

[Michael W.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

Thanks guys

Kind of what I suspected. It is still a very neat looking car but the engine does not belong.

Cheers

Will

Does the VIN at least contain the 'L' indicating that the car is (was) an LT-1? It's possible that this is the original engine case that was decked and restamped at some time in it's life- obviously without attempt to duplicate the original finish.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

Vetteheads, ya gotta love em.

Each take half the pad.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 72 LT-1 with ZR-1 Engine Pad Stamp?

Will-----


That's got to be about the worst stamp job I've ever seen. It's absolutely atrocious. We don't need Al Grenning to pass judgement on this one.

In fact, the obvious lack of sophistication and savvy on the part of the klutz who did the stamping is probably responsible for the errant use of the "CKZ" suffix code-----he did not realize that was an LT-1 suffix code for ZR-1 only.

I agree! Lookes like he started to stamp the build date he started to low & had to curve it as not to run out of pad.
KEN