ZL1 timing cover and oil pan bolts

[1971ls6]

Being that the zl1 motor only had the timing cover and oil pan to paint black along with the water pump, were these parts painted off of the motor? If so, we're the bolts black phosphated? Head markings? Captive washer?

[william]

The assembled engines were not painted as normal cast iron engines but certain steel components were painted. The ZL1 engine assembly manual shows that "black engine enam" was to be used to paint the "oil pan, air inj brkt, distr clamp, frt cover, clutch fork (exposed part), torsional damper, lifting hook, exh manif, clutch hsg cover".

Normal manufacturing processing would dictate these parts were painted prior to assembly. Automotive fasteners are coated and do not need to be painted.

http://www.camaros.org/copo.shtml#engine

[firstgenaddict]

Are there any ZL1's with original Exhaust manifolds which still have black paint on them?

[william]

All Tonawanda BB manifolds were painted. Mostly fried by the time the car was delivered.

[1971ls6]

I am still looking to verify the finish on the oil pan and timing cover bolts. My though is that they did not use bright zinc finish at tonawanda for fasteners that for the most part were being painted engine orange, hence they would use the black phospated bolts??

On the next question, were the alluminum intake. Bolts zinc or black?

[william]

There are plenty of ZL1 engine photos in vintage magazines but those are likely engineering builds. The only reliable production ZL1 engine photos are of the #3 ZL1 in the August '69 High-Performance Cars. Intake fasteners appear to be zinc; the oil pan fasteners are clearly visible in one of the undercarriage photos; probably zinc. Timing cover isn't in the photos.

[x44d80]

William, my ZL-1 engine has really light black overspray around the timing cover boss like the timing cover was painted on the motor.  I don't know if it came from the factory that way because it was beat to death in a race car and a 53 Vette for awhile so it could have been touched up black anytime after it was put together.  I don't have the bolts on timing cover or oil pan or even the original pan so I'm  little help on that question.

[1971ls6]

I have looked at every picture I can find and it is really hard to determine the timing cover and oil pan bolts, the intake bolts looks like I it is zinc.

The repop oil pan bolts were zinc and I stripped them in vinegar over night, the timing cover bolts are stainless. I am having them tool blacked to see how they come out.