The Hugger goes ZL-1....

[hgger69]

BTW, the Hugger is this Octobers ROTM over at http://www.camaros.net/ this month, thanx for all the votes! 

[hgger69]

The original ZL-1 block had #3946052/53. I was surprised to se this new number was ending with a "D", #394605D.
Does anybody know why its a "D" in the end instead of a "2" or "3"? My guess is that there is an issue with the owners rights or similar between Winters Foundry and GM....? Could "D" stand for "Developed"....or Dumbass...or Deamon....or maybe Doomed?

Come on now, guys....someone have a clue, don't´ya? 

[BULLITT65]

congrats on ride of the month. Sometimes it takes submitting more than once, there is a lot of nice rides competing over there.

[hgger69]

congrats on ride of the month. Sometimes it takes submitting more than once, there is a lot of nice rides competing over there.

Thanx, it was really great to be the choosen this time and it feels great that there are more people then me that appreciates my ride! 
But you neither have any clues either regarding the numbers on the new ZL-1 block? 

[hgger69]

Well, isn't much happening with the motor build right now but at least our motor shop has started to work with the balancing act!
He´s taking our ZL-1 between other projects and that's our deal....we rather go slow and correct then fast and wrong! 

Here´s one of the pistons and pin on the scale::




The old dot rods has gotten a deep clean and new bushings. He also has reamed the new bushings to fit the new pins to get correct tolerances. These rods are the type with full-floating pins.




After this each rod will go through a balance act, so to speak:


I´ll try to update here whenever new work is put in by the shop.....

[z28z11]

Just a question - did the original floating rods have a pin oiling hole in the small ends ? I've never seen an original ZL1 floater, so I thought someone might have an opinion - or a spec.

Regards,
Steve

[hgger69]

I really don't know, Steve but these are probably not from an original ZL-1! The dot rods were used in a range of high performance engines such as the L88, ZL1 and LS7.

Here´s a close-up of the small end if this is what you looking for:

[hgger69]

Went to the Motorshop yesterday morning before work and now the balancing act is done! I took the chance to be part of the final adjustments and it was fun though I´ve never seen this before.

First the pistons had to be fully weight adjusted within 1/10 gram. The pics below shows how different pistons had to be adjusted. Theese pistons from ICON were, according to Ulf at the shop, very good for being American parts! It differed 5 gram between all of the them in weight! Like Ulf said; - It´s god raw material for balancing!




Also the rods had to be adjusted within 1/10 gram and here the weight difference were 7 gram. Here they are ready to me mounted with new bearings from Clevite.


Here is the crank, with damper and flexplate mounted, balancing bench. The SFI-approved flexplate from SCAT were internal balanced from factory and Ulf was very satisfied with it.


The figures were 0,0 on the flexplate side and 0,3 on the damper side....not ok at all said Ulf!


After finding the exact right spot he adjusted, read used a drilling tool, the damper a bit and the figure went down to 0,1 which Ulf thought was ok!


Now even Ulf was happy!


This was probably the last update for this year cause other projects is knocking on Ulfs door but we´ll get back early next year for more updates!

We wish you all a Merry X-am and a Happy New Year!

 

[hgger69]

After some holidays, fireworks, and other miscellaneous stuff we actually did some work progress on The Hugger!
The first major step of the heart transplant is done!
 
I started with swapping the cars place in my garage so the Hugger got more space around it for easier access....

 
I did some hours for preparation the day before D-day. Marking cables, emptying the cooling system and taking everything off that shouldn´t go with the 355. I´ll keep the tranny in the car and later bolt it to the ZL-1.

 
The Hedmann headers went out together with radiator, generator and distributor....

 
Off with the cowl hood with help from two Camaro-friends. They are really experienced with this kind of work so I´m very happy for the assistance, cause I´m newbie when it comes to taking motors out from a car. Very educational.

 

 
The motor is out of the car for the first time since it came to Sweden in 2005.
A really reliable and stabile motor lift is a bless this times. Professional tools always make work easier!.

 
The 355 is already sold and will find it´s place under the very red hood of a 1968 SS/RS Camaro.
 
We then pushed the Camaro sideways using simple tire skates and two trolley jacks, went very easy and smooth!.
Now its time for The Hugger to lokka back on it´s time as a teenager cause it´s soon going to be a real man!

 
An empty gap soon to be filled with a new ZL-1! But in the mean time its an easy access for work.

 
...to be continued!

[BULLITT65]

Looking good, but where is the Manual transmission behind it?

[hgger69]

Looking good, but where is the Manual transmission behind it?

Thanx, Bullit! Isn't that a nick for a Mustang btw? 
Nope, gonna keep tha automatic! Just love crus'n...

[BULLITT65]

Yes, BULLITT is the name of one of my favorite movies, and my first car was a 65 Mustang fastback= BULLITT65 (he has a modified 68 fastback in the movie).

[KurtS]

Clipping the political rants. Not going there.....

[PURESS]

Thank you KurtS....Camaros, cars,  please

[JKZ27]

Oh, and I love following this engine build and install! Please keep it coming, man! Very exciting.