[Farm Boy]

Did 1969 ZL-1 engines have high silicone aluminum cylinders like the Chevy Vega? I worked at a Chevrolet dealer as a mechanic in the early 70’s and although I never saw a ZL-1 I had the misfortune to see a lot of Vega’s, all of them burning oil, overheating, or both.

[Vintage 68]

The 1969 Zl-1 Aluminum Block, Part #3952318*/casting #3946052**, had Iron Sleeves (serviceable, not cast-in) and thread inserts for the main bolt holes.

The Vega 'high-silicone' castings were actually not as bad as some people thought - just weren't able to tollerate any abuse, like missed/long oil change cycles, that most iron blocks weren't effected by. The failure to service/maintain the cooling system was the major cause of failed engines in most of the Vega's that passed thorough my stalls. Usually 'ate' the head gaskets and then the "fun" really started, scored cylinders & ect... The rebuilders never did get the "Hone/Lapping" process down right, so sleeving became the norm.
My relatives had one (cute '72 'yellow' fastback that I always liked!) that went over 200,000 miles on original engine (no iron sleeve retro.) and wasn't using excess oil until the bitter end. BUT, I had them changing the oil on schedule and replacing the Coolant every 2 years no matter what.
I still have a couple "Coolant Level" retrofit kits in my shop - wonder what they would be worth on 'e-pain'...

John

note:* later changed to 3963516 - ** other #'s (like 053)reported but, I've never seen one in an original car yet.

[Farm Boy]

I have installed many of those low coolant sensors in those tiny Vega radiators. I was a 17 year old apprentice mechanic paid by the hour. The journeyman mechanics worked flat rate and did not want the warranty or campaign work as Chevrolet did not give them much time (money) for those jobs. I was fresh out of high school and the only mechanic at the dealership with a smog license.

I doubt you will get rich selling those kits as I have not seen a Vega on the road in years (decades).

Steve

[Vintage 68]

Originally Posted by Farm Boy

I doubt you will get rich selling those kits as I have not seen a Vega on the road in years (decades).

Steve

Yeah - I got a whole shop full of stuff that wouldn't ever make me rich... Except for that little ragtop in the corner...

I go out by you on 132 on the way to Yosemite every once and a while. Nice area.
I quess you do some business with Jim Dyer in Stockton? Do you get to the Turlock meets regularly? I missed this year, hope to hit the next one. Some great stuff at those meets!
Keep an eye out in your rearview for 'Clill' - he's known to tear the roads up in that area from time-to-time

John

[davidpozzi]

I've got a friend with a Cosworth Vega, It's the only one I've seen around, those things flat dissappeared! kinda like the Pinto, you don't see those around either.

[Shtgnr]

1

[JOE58]

Chevy made a few different aluminum big blocks other then the ZL1 block but the others were never sold in a car. They made a 4.400 bore block with Siamese cyl that became known as the Can Am block. Some of them had iron liners but there were some made with no liners. They used a special coated piston.

[kjg67]

There was an aluminum small block in a few Z28's sometime in the late 70's.

I have seen articles about them.

[JohnZ]

Originally Posted by kjg67

There was an aluminum small block in a few Z28's sometime in the late 70's.

I have seen articles about them.

Nope - not from the factory.

[kjg67]

I think it may have been the Yenko Z I was thinking of.