Yenko aluminum block
 

Bill Porterfield sent me some pics he took in 1988 when he was picking up the # 1 ZL1. The LC on the block is Lockport Casting. Apparently Don had them cast some of his blocks. https://www.yenko.net/attachments/454942-tn_image001.jpg

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

... https://www.yenko.net/attachments/454944-tn_image002.jpg

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

... https://www.yenko.net/attachments/454945-tn_image003.jpg This is a block that Bill ran in # 1 for awhile. he was told it was bought from Yenko in 1972.

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

What ever happened to the original block from ZL-1 no.1? Does anyone know? cool stuff Charley https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

My understanding is the orig. block was located and is back in the car.

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

This old thread was linked on another site recently & it really brought back memories. We made the cores for these blocks at the Chevrolet Tonawanda Foundry & sent the pattern equipment over to Lockport for aluminum casting. Then the blocks came back to Tonawanda for machining on a special CNC machine that was located up by the doors leading to the main offices. The machine was very advanced at that time & the tolerances were much closer then the regular production equipment. The whole operation had to be quarantined because the aluminum machining chips couldn't get into the regular production chips (aluminum causes pin holes to occur in cast iron). I realize that the ZL-1 option was very expensice, but these blocks cost Chevrolet a fortune to produce! Also, theft was a problem - another whole story! My recollection is that the CNC machine was still in place at least through 1978.

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

Neat info Bruce!

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

Here is a ZL-1 block that is similar to the one I have, and has similar attributes to what is described in this thread.

I will be watching it to see where it ends up. With that casting number, it can be considered for use as is in FAST/purestock drags, as an FYI.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-ZL-1-ALUMIN...=item256bded370

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bergy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This old thread was linked on another site recently &amp; it really brought back memories. We made the cores for these blocks at the Chevrolet Tonawanda Foundry &amp; sent the pattern equipment over to Lockport for aluminum casting. Then the blocks came back to Tonawanda for machining on a special CNC machine that was located up by the doors leading to the main offices. The machine was very advanced at that time &amp; the tolerances were much closer then the regular production equipment. The whole operation had to be quarantined because the aluminum machining chips couldn't get into the regular production chips (aluminum causes pin holes to occur in cast iron). I realize that the ZL-1 option was very expensice, but these blocks cost Chevrolet a fortune to produce! Also, theft was a problem - another whole story! My recollection is that the CNC machine was still in place at least through 1978. </div></div>

Bergy, did Yenko end up whith thise LC Blocks later or was it sold over the counter?

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

Niclas - I believe that that set of equipment came off of the Ramboudi around 1968. It's been a long time, so I could be mistaken. The &quot;LC&quot; part is just formed by a small set core &amp; could easily be changed to accommodate any casting facility. The &quot;no casting date&quot; part confuses my a little - makes me believe that these were early blocks.

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: black69</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here is a ZL-1 block that is similar to the one I have, and has similar attributes to what is described in this thread.

I will be watching it to see where it ends up. With that casting number, it can be considered for use as is in FAST/purestock drags, as an FYI.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-ZL-1-ALUMIN...=item256bded370 </div></div>

I think this is the first time I have ever seen somebody use grade 8 bolts on a intake manifold.

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

I assume the ZL-1 blocks in this thread are of the same type as the ones put in the 1969 ZL-1 Camaros at the factory. That is, they where not beefed up like the Yenko-blocks from the last half of the seventies that could take more pounding, right ?

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

I think each guy (Ed Cunneen, Bill Porterfield, Mark Gillespie) have the collective key info on these blocks. Each one has graciously helped me on mine. Mark has the records of when built based on unique stampings. I believe he is close to releasing a new book on the yenko Zl-1 engines themselves.

I came away with they are identical to the original 69 casting except for the area of the freeze plugs and foundry, and lack of casting dates. There was a lot of colorful activity on how many were made through Don Yenko (which have traceability to his records) and some that do not. Do not assume all of these came through Don's shop.

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

I know that we &quot;lost&quot; some at Tonawanda. The regular production block took 9 cores - the aluminum version took 11 cores. You can see the progression of casting runs by looking at the grind marks. The first block in Charlie's post has a big &quot;flow off&quot; scar to the right of the WP outlet. The other casting run eliminates this flow off.

Re: Yenko aluminum block
 

Hi what do the Yenko blocks sell for ?fair price ? The guy said it has Yenko casted into it ? I know the condition will be everything .. As long as it hasn't been busted half way threw the mains ...Thanks