Fantom Works ZL1 clone

[Burd]

Originally Posted by markjohnson

That now makes TWO clones of the #68 car (cough . . . cough).

And were all upset about a guy selling nOS paperwork. Lmao.

[Zman1969]

I had a visit once to a speed shop in Austin Tx that had a show with a well known bike builder and like Fantomworks they had to deal with the drama they tried to bring to the show and the excitement really wasn't there most of the time. after chatting with the owner they dropped the series and got back to building hot rods. Our favorite GMG (said with sarcasm) is still going and the spinoffs, to me its hard to watch as I think that people think all Texans are like that. I dont need drama, I like learning from some of these guys!

[EZ Nova]

I recorded this this (possibly a mistake) for my wife to see/watch. At the beginning there talking about ZL-1 and suck, like numbers made and the "value" of the "dated-coded" parts that go with it. I look at the wife and say, "that's the motor that's in the car in the garage".

Now they were going over this date-coded original this and that. But I thought the ZL-1's came with a natural alum waterpump? Not the black painted like the show portrayed?

Also, if one is doing a clone/tribute, are correct dated-coded parts really necessary? Like why not run say a 1971 dated intake/heads or waterpump/starter alternator. YES it's more authentic to use dated-coded parts, but that would drive the price up exponentially too. And save the correct date-coded stuff for real authentic cars.

I do want to do, and I'm keeping an eye out, for a 1969 Vette to make a ZL-1 clone/tribute.

[William]

ZL1 Camaro #1 [possibly also #2] had an aluminum pump; #1 had a pilot engine built at Flint. Legend has it the pump bearing loosened in durability testing. Later production Camaro ZL1 engines had production 'long' iron pumps painted black.

Corvettes used the 'short' pump. Could be the ZL1s used an aluminum version of it.

[William]

The ZL1 engine pictured on the cover of the December '68 Hot Rod is configured for a Corvette and has a black coolant pump. The April '82 Corvette Fever magazine has a feature on the restoration of the yellow ZL1 Corvette. Pics of the engine [nom] show an aluminum pump.

[1971ls6]

I have yet to see an alluminum gm long waterpump? What is the part number?

My opinion on a clone is that it should be visibly correct, like a gm distributor, the part number is hard to see so who cares, the heads need to be the winters snowflake along with the intake, Stock valve covers, etc

[William]

The aluminum coolant pump was covered by John Hooper in his 1969 Camaro Reference Book. There's a photo and it is definitely the long-style. It was noted in photos taken at Dick Harrells' shop early in 1969.

The casting number of the pump was 3968811. It was released to production and cancelled due to durability concerns. The owner of the #1 ZL1 Camaro during the restoration had connections to Chevy Engineering and was able to locate one. Original photos of the #3 ZL1 Camaro, built 9 weeks later, show a black cast iron pump.

[1971ls6]

So maybe #1 and 2 had the alluminum pump only? Has anybody seen these pumps for sale?

[kwhizz]

It's beyond my comprehension to understand how William is so knowledgeable about these cars...…… Hat's off to William !!!!!!!!…… Like I said in another thread.....The knowledge base on this site is ground zero with the ability to call out the "Made" cars !!!!!

[William]

2019 will be year #44 of my involvement with '69 Camaros. I'm with a great network of fellow '69 nerds. Get regular calls, emails, photos of curious stuff. Last week, an incredible photo of the trunk contents of a '69 Z/28 basically parked for 50 years.

Got involved with ZL1s in 1987; always more to learn. Yesterday out of the blue, the original owner of a DX'd Gibb ZL1 sends me a scan of the dealer invoice. In addition, he is personal friends with the guy that raced the #4 ZL1. Gave me his number. No telling what he may have or remember about it.

It's all about developing and maintaining relationships with like-minded people. On occasion I have been provided with info with the proviso that it remains confidential and it does. Otherwise I'm happy to share. Sad that there are people still sitting on piles of information, demanding to be paid.

My 2 cents. Thanks Ken!