Can Anyone Tell Me How To Tell If I Have A 69 Zl1 Engine. I Purchused A 70 Model Boat With A Sbc In It. I Was Told It Was A Zl1 Engine. How Do You Tell. It Says On The Valve Covers To Use 93 Octane Or Better In This Motor And It Does Have The 202 Heads On It. It Is A Stock Motor That Came In This Boat. And If This Is A True Zl1 What Kind Of Hp Can I Expect. Im Thinking About Installing In My Camero.

RW welcome to the site. Hope you get lots of enjoyment in the next few years.

The ZL1 engine was an aluminum 427 (Big Block) installed in sixty nine 1969 Camaro's and two 1969 Corvettes, so your small block wouldn't be a ZL1.

However, you might have an LT1 which was a small block installed in 1970, 1971 and 1972 Corvettes, with similar engines installed in the same year Camaro's.

Post the casting number on the block, the suffix code stamped on the front pad (on the passengers side) and the VIN if it has one, and we can tell you more.

Ed

Well, it's not a ZL1 if it's a small block. The ZL1 was the designation given to the all aluminum 427cu big block engines which were produced in '69. The engine you have is a small block, but to find out what displacment/hp it originally had you'll have to look at the machined pad which sticks out from the right side of the block on the front. It will have numbers and letters stamped into it. Write downt these numbers and post them here; someone will be able to help you.

We'll get it straightened out for you!

In 1969 the ZL-1 motor was an all aluminum L-88 427cid 435 hp high performance big block Chevrolet racing engine built for TransAm competition. It can not be confused with a small block Chevy of any generation.


Larger Dave

Could it be an LT-5 from the ZR-1 Corvette line? I think a limited number of these made it into special boats. OOPPPS...edit....just noticed you said it was a 70 boat, so nix on the LT-5.......not sure what you may have...

In 1969 the ZL-1 motor was an all aluminum L-88 427cid 435 hp high performance big block Chevrolet racing engine built for TransAm competition. It can not be confused with a small block Chevy of any generation.


Larger Dave

Drag race, not trans-am; trans am had a 302cid limit, hence the z28.

In 1969 the ZL-1 motor was an all aluminum L-88 427cid 435 hp high performance big block Chevrolet racing engine built for TransAm competition. It can not be confused with a small block Chevy of any generation.


Larger Dave

Can Am , not the 5.0 liter Trans Am, right?