Yenko ZL-1

[Rex T.]

Does ANYONE out there know ANYTHING about some ZL-1 engines that were cast in the early 70s by Don Yenko? He supposedly bought the molds from GM and had a few blocks cast with his name on the front. Some were cast (embossed) into the block directly above the timing chain cover and some were embossed on the driver's side front, just below the head. I have one such engine and am trying to learn some history about it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Rex

[Rex T.]

Re: Yenko ZL-1

Heer's a photo of the block.

[Rex T.]

Re: Yenko ZL-1

Oh well, that didn't work. My first attempt at posting a photo.

[Howard Nardick]

Re: Yenko ZL-1

ask at the Yenko super car site....that block would be perfect for that yellow `69 vintage racer sitting in my barn.....
HN

[John D.]

Re: Yenko ZL-1

Rex, All the Yenko memorabilia and info on the cars, etc. is in the hands of the Curator of the Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh, PA. John Connelly is the guy to talk to. He got most everything years ago from Don's family. Sorry but I don't have a number for him. But he is widely know in the Pittsburgh area. Maybe someone can chirp on here.
Clem Z may know. You have mail. John D.

[James F.]

Re: Yenko ZL-1 -John

John,

Donna Mae Mims would have a means to contact John Connelly. Clem may also have a means to contact Donna Mae. Regards

[Clem Z.]

Re: Yenko ZL-1 -John

just saw DMM monday night and if you want connelly number i will try and get it for you.he is off of yenko/gulf kick and back writing about indians. bill smith handled the aluminum block details for yenko but bill has passed on.

[John D.]

Re: Yenko ZL-1 -John

Clem, Weren't those aluminum blocks cast in our area? So that's why I haven't heard from JC in a while. Last time we talked I believe he wasn't too happy about all the Yenko cloning going on. John

[Clem Z.]

Re: Yenko ZL-1 -John

i have no idea where they were cast but i know they were having trouble because i needed one for a dirt track car engine and smitty did not have any and did not know when they would be getting them. the racer bought one from dove engineering in ohio and it was a POS that leaked both oil and water

[Mike L.]

Re: Yenko ZL-1

One such block was in the hands of a man in Connecticut about five years ago, he sold it but before it went I did get a chance to look at it. The block I saw had Yenko in the front near the timing chain area.

[Tom H.]

Re: Yenko ZL-1

I saw one of those engines last year in Alexander, La. It was in a camaro. It had the yenko casting above the timing cover. There is a collector car dealer there north of Alex. that gets some neat stuff.

[John H.]

Re: Yenko ZL-1

The Yenko aluminum blocks look like this: