Aluminum Engine in a Crate
 

New here. Short version. I bought a 68 Camaro, it came with a bunch of parts, one item is an engine block in a crate, that I am told was bought over the parts counter (parts guy name Smitty) in the 70's at Yenko Chevrolet, and it is an ZL1 . I have opened the crate, and found the Winters Foundry logo on the block and a magnet does not stick. At that time I still had a half of a UHaul truck full of parts to unload and my help was leaving, so I boxed the engine back up without even looking for a casting number. My plan is to reopen the crate this weekend and further inspect this engine. With that said; What am I looking for to identify this engine? Newspaper in crate dated 12/21/76 Shipping label is from Yenko Chevrolet. Sorry for picture quality, when uploading kept telling me file was too big, so i guess when I cropped it quality changed.

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There's a few different Blocks it could be so best post the #'s also pics of your block and a few members here will be able to help identify what you have.
Welcome aboard also let's hear more about your '68!
:beers:
~ Pete

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68 396 convertible?

Yes. Headed to garage now to continue to sort /dig. Plan to post pictures end of day.

I spent the two days sorting though batch one of stuff, I have touched everything (i think) and have pulled out the NOS GM parts. I am sorry but I am not smart enough to figure out how to load a picture here, so I posted pictures on https://edsdreamcamaroproject.shutterfly.com/pictures/8. Hope that works.

The Block has casting number 3946052 , The Winters logo, opposite side of block from oil filer has torque values etched and painted in purple. No other numbers. News paper in crate dated late 76 (from Dalles Tx?) engine bought in PA?

Other finds
Set of bare casting 14011076 new in box
Crankshaft 3967811 New in box
Used set of set of 14011077 heads Complete, refurbished
Set of Carrillo Big Block Rods circa late 70s new in box
Two alum Waterpumps
Two / maybe three 3870325balancers sealed in boxes but look used?
Tri power stuff as in one manifold and carbs used / one new (maybe another)

Bolts, brackets, pulleys
Munice NOS case and a lot of NOS internal parts like main shaft, gears bearings , one complete used M22 (I think) one in pieces

This car and stuff and how I came to own it have a story that at some point I hope to tell in its entirety.

So for Jeep Guy how did I do?

Definitely is ZL1 with the cast # and seeing extra head bolt boss on block. Winters snowflake may not be winters though. Check and see if it has a W in the center of snowflake. Most Yenko blocks had SYC stamped small in timing cover area or a large Yenko crest in front of block. Also some Yenko blocks I believe had other part number 053.
Looks like a nice haul...congrats!! Some were tall blocks also.

Thanks for the information. There is a W in the middle of the Snowflake. I searched the block well I did not see Yenko anywhere. The only writing was the torque numbers. Assuming that Yenko had their "own" version or block ?

Wow, what a great pile of parts! Will you be selling stuff?

I love the main bolt torque instructions engraved on the block. Anybody ever see that before ?

:biggthumpup: Great pictures

Saw a ZL-1 Camaro with this @ Superchevy Indy,back in 1997 or 98.
It was silver & on display behind the grandstands in the Paviloin area.
Brian Caudell had organized many of those cars to be on display.

Gotta ask whats the story on the 68 Camaro.

Love the side pipes on the Camaro.

I started this thread because of the engine. I am more comfortable believing now that it is a ZL1. I still have questions about but Im comfortable.

Although the stuff in my garage has been sorted (30 hrs it took), I still have a 7x16 trailer full of parts that needs to be sorted, I am happy to document with words and pictures, although I am not entirely sure what I will find, I am sure there are no more Yenko crate engines in there. I understand that each Forum area has a topic, if this thread no longer applies to Yenko I will understand if it needs to moved.

First I will answer a few questions . Yes Big Gear Head, eventually I will be selling some things. Ibnaz The quick story is the car has been sitting in a garage since early 80s after a valve train issue caused the owner (Ed) to remove the heads. He sent them for repair and never reinstalled. I have been trying to buy said car for about 30 of those years. I knew he had some parts I didn’t know he had a few Camaros worth! BTW the engine in the car is 361959 block, with 427 piston L2308A .30 so I guess its a 427 rotating assy in the 454 block? Doug Nash five speed, 12 bolt post 4.10 gears and yes the car had long tube headers going into side pipes!

I posted pictures of todays finds. I found 3994094 cam in a GM tube and another GM cam tube that had hand written on it SBC cam but the part number on the tube is 3959180 (the cam in that tube is a Big Block Cam), both cams are new. Where can I find information about the numbers on the end of cams? You can find the pictures of the finds here https://edsdreamcamaroproject.shutte...pictures/89#84

Also, I found front rotors, caliper halfs, brake drums, and the just about every other brake part for a 68 Camaro new the box GM or Delco Remy . Of note were some cool non GM finds. The old Hurst ,Holley, Malory boxes and the shackle lift kit and brand new set of Lakewood traction bars.

Heres my questions about the ZL1

Is it odd I cant find any date codes?
Is it odd that the block was bought at Yenko Chevrolet, but no Yenko on the block?
How many of these blocks were built?
Do I build it and put it in the 68 SS?

Thanks for the interest, the information and your patience with a JeepGuy on a Supercar page. no more progress until Saturday.

Aluminum Engine in a Crate
 

I believe the 3959180 is a GM factory stock, LS-7 mechanical lifter cam that was installed in all LS-7 XCH coded Crate engines back in the mid to late '70s

Bill

I believe you will find the c 180 cam is a zl1 cam...should have 181 on the end for the part [casting)number ... 094 is a can am cam

It is a ZL1.... seems like May be an actual GM motor that came from Yenko and not a Yenko cast block. Yenko cast some of thier own blocks after 1969. The dates were not used soon after 69 as far as I have seen. So it’s Normal to no have a date code.
As far as using it? You could buy a brand new GM crate monster motor (steel) just about ready to fire up (and some extra cash) if you sell this engine setup. Would probably bring a 5 digit pay day.

But you would most likely be the only one with a real ZL1 motor at any local car show if you use it!!

Aluminum Engine in a Crate
 

GM Performance book dated 1993

Originally installed by GM in a ZL-1 and an LS-7 over the counter Big Block XCH Crate Engine

I see it recommends the 164 spring, that explains why I have a set of those. Great info thanks.

Update
 

Today I unloaded the last trailer. Not much engine related mostly body related. Heres the quick list
Two sets Fenders and quarter panels NOS
Two RS spoilers NOS
Five Camaro Grills NOS
Two tail light panels
oodles of trim - moldings etc likely doubles
Fan shrouds Big Blocks and Small block
Two dash pads NOS Black
One Console ( I'm thinking I might fins a 2ed)
Bumper
two sets Small block heads NOS
Z28 Steering box
Tri power air Cleaner (two) one black one chrome
two 4 barrel air cleaners
ECT ECT ECT i loaded some pictures that you can find at https://edsdreamcamaroproject.shutterfly.com/pictures

Once again I feel we done finding ZL1 stuff or Yenko, so if this thread needs moved or you want me to stop just say the word.

Man thats awesome congrats!!! Can we get more shots of the car.

Just loaded more pics of the car. same link as before. Wondering if when you look at pictures do you see the comments I v entered?

Yes,as long as we scroll down and click on SEE COMMENT.

added a few more pictures. Found some console gauges. Wont add much for a bit actually have to work a real job.

Totally jealous - what a haul!

Update on parts horde. No more engines in crates. I have sorted out all of the NOS GM parts from the used and non GM parts. I have just over 1000 parts listed on spreadsheet with nearly 500 individual part numbers. over 90% fit 68 Camaro in some fashion. I think I am half way through the NOS GM parts. BTW the used parts are in my 7x16 trailer and completely cover the floor.

I loaded a few more pictures to the album https://edsdreamcamaroproject.shutte...m/pictures/267. Some close ups of the two GM Holley 4v, Tri Power Air Cleaners, set of Alum Heads and the parts storage area. I do have about dozen or so parts that I can't identify. When i am finished I ll post some what is this pictures. Not sure what my end game is yet, just want get through the parts before I make many decisions. Thanks for putting up with the JeepGuy

Congrats on the purchase! I wouldn't make any rash decisions about anything yet. My recommendation would be to think of a long term plan/goal. I know you've tried to buy that car for 30 years, so likely you're a "Graybeard" or approaching it. Do you have the time and energy to see a complete and thorough restoration to the end? You spoke of a real job....restorations and real jobs aren't a good match as the years roll on. In my opinion, the car restored in its final state, no matter how nice, won't be worth as much more with the ZL-1 installed, as that ZL-1 block is worth as it sits. (Did I word that right?) The extra parts alone would likely fund a extremely nice resto., and you might end up with a damn nice 427 stick '68 Camaro conv. for nothing or next to it.
That's just my take coming from a 60 year old guy with a passion for fast cars that still has to work to play. Take your time. Get opinions from REAL guys that can back up an offer with cash on your extra stuff. Often times people get confused with "appraisals" and "buy numbers"; rarely are they the same.
Again, congrats on the purchase, especially, after the long chase. Let it all sink in.

Agree restorations are tough in your later years. I went thru that and decided with aches and pains and being in my 60s its better off to buy a car already finished if you have the funds to buy.

I opened the boxes with the Tri Power manifolds/Carbs/ and the bare casting cylinder heads. Posted pictures to album of the above. lots of close ups. List is now rapidly approaching 1500 parts and about 75 to 80% done with NOS part listing. I still have to go back thur list and identify parts and application on about half of the listed parts. You can find the pictures here https://edsdreamcamaroproject.shutte...m/pictures/267.

Link no worky.....

Found that if I use your old link, I can go backwards and see the pictures. Quite a load you have there.

https://edsdreamcamaroproject.shutterfly.com/pictures/8 try this?you may have to copy and paste

holy crapola!

I entered the last (I think) NOS part on the spreadsheet last night. I have 1809 parts on the list, of those 772 are different or individual part numbers. If the item sold as each I entered it as one( in most cases). Of those 1809 I have most identified as to what they are. i.e. Switch, rocker arm, molding ect.. Next on the list is to find each parts application, does it fit a 68 Camaro. Then log new non GM (not a lot) then log Used (more then I want). For those wondering about is anything for sale. Well I can't imagine needing four front sway bars, five Camaro grills or three Tri Power set ups. So yes just not right this minute. If there is a certain part number you are looking for, message it to me and I would happy to let you know if it is on the list. again thanks for putting up with a Jeep Guy that owns a Camaro.