did DZ block have screen in valley like in the pic from the factory?

[daves87gn]

seller says there original?

[69Z28-RS]

seller says there original?

No, not from the factory (unless you have one of those very rare 302's that GM prepared for special high performance use in racing..        (tongue in cheek)..
The screens are typically installed by 'racers' after grinding out the flash that usually is around oil drainback opernings to prevent chunks of metal from finding their way back in the oilpan and possibly doing more damage.

[daves87gn]

Hey Gary

That's what i assumed, but just wanted confirmation

Thanks
Dave

[69Z28]

Dave, What Gary said. I remember reading in a HOT ROD mag back in the early 70's that had an article in it about prepping a block for faster oil flow back to the pan and those 4 drain back corners were smoothed out and screens were epoxied in to catch debris. If I remember correctly there was something about smoothing out the valley walls all they way around too. As a matter of fact the 350 LT1 spec engine in my Z right now has had the valley smoothed out. I'm assuming done by the previous owner.

[69Z28]

Hey Dave, have you been to the Yenko site? Here is something you may be interested in if you haven't seen them yet.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/491900/gonew/1/FS_69_Camaro_Z28_DZ_block_vin_#UNREAD


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/530384/gonew/1/69_Camaro_302_DZ_Engine#UNREAD

[daves87gn]

Dave, What Gary said. I remember reading in a HOT ROD mag back in the early 70's that had an article in it about prepping a block for faster oil flow back to the pan and those 4 drain back corners were smoothed out and screens were epoxied in to catch debris. If I remember correctly there was something about smoothing out the valley walls all they way around too. As a matter of fact the 350 LT1 spec engine in my Z right now has had the valley smoothed out. I'm assuming done by the previous owner.

yea, seem my share of motors with this done but never from the factory, seller believes motor my have been through the hands of Al Bartz or Traco at some point in its history, but since its been apart and has different heads and intake, i think its a moot point

Hey Dave, have you been to the Yenko site? Here is something you may be interested in if you haven't seen them yet.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/491900/gonew/1/FS_69_Camaro_Z28_DZ_block_vin_#UNREAD


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/530384/gonew/1/69_Camaro_302_DZ_Engine#UNREAD

i did register and sent a PM thanks for the help Gary

Thanks
Dave

[Kelley W King]

Back in the day it was also popular to paint the lifter valley with multible coats of gloss paint to speed oil drainback. I never did it for fear of the paint flaking off and stopping up the oil pump but a lot of guys did.

[JohnZ]

Back in the day it was also popular to paint the lifter valley with multible coats of gloss paint to speed oil drainback. I never did it for fear of the paint flaking off and stopping up the oil pump but a lot of guys did.

That paint is still available - it's "Glyptal"; GE used it for many years in industrial electric motors - oil doesn't bother it.

[Mark]

Theres some in my lifter valley on my current cars 350ci engine.  Been there since 1983 looks pretty much the same last time I was in there.  Used it on a big block in my 70 Chevelle, and a Pontiac 455 back in the late 70's as well.

[daves87gn]

I know a guy that still uses it in all his the motors he builds, he has a good reputation, so he doesn't mess with success, i was at his shop last week, and saw a fresh short block with the valley painted

[69Z28]

I heard that the 'Glyptal' paint is expensive. The  '74 350 block I'm currently using in my Z isn't painted but the valley has been smoothed out really nice. It's been a few years since I was in there but I know the sides are done for sure just not sure about the bottom part.

[69Z28-RS]

I always deburr casting flash in the drainbacks and paint the interior cast surfaces...

If you clean your block well, you can use 'rustoleum' (buy a quart size can and brush it on)..  I like black, as it will show 'silvery' on disassembly if there's every been metal in the oil...

[169INDY]

Back in the day it was also popular to paint the lifter valley with multible coats of gloss paint to speed oil drainback. I never did it for fear of the paint flaking off and stopping up the oil pump but a lot of guys did.

That paint is still available - it's "Glyptal"; GE used it for many years in industrial electric motors - oil doesn't bother it.

Glyptal is NOT a paint, it is a Air Dried (Cured) insulating varnish used in electrical motor and armatures.
The current formulation is found here:
http://www.sprayon.com/products/red_insulating_varnish
It resists solvents, fuels and heat. Excellent hot rod  product for the oil rain back surfaces in any motor, Esp  those little 302's ,,,,,,,,,,,,