Yesterday we showed you a V8 block being machined and asked you to ID it and tell us what was special about that specific mill. Quickly the Chevy W-guesses came pouring in and they were correct. That was a W-motor block being worked on but not just any W-motor block. That kids was one of the original Z-11 427ci engines built and sold by Chevrolet in 1963. 57 cars were said to have been ordered with the Z-11 option and less than 10 are known to exist today. The engine was a lot more than a bored 409. The Z-11 employed a special crank with more stroke, modified cylinder heads with larger rectangle ports and valves, and a special intake manifold. Twin carbs lived atop the engine to feed the beast. The rest of the car was special too with aluminum body panels, everything delete, 4.11 gears, a T-10 transmission, and sintered iron brakes. Believe it or not, Z-11s were not simply sent out the back door to racers. Several went to dealerships and sold like normal cars to “regular people”. They were beastly performers and gave the then dominant Pontiacs and rising star Mopar entries all they could handle. Reports from the day seem to indicate that the engine did have a fragile streak, but when they worked…baby THEY WORKED!
As they have been all week, Valley Head Service in Northridge, CA supplied the photo and also let us know that the owner of the engine is currently selling it for the princely sum of $35,000. If you are restoring a correct Z-11, here’s your chance for a fresh mill that is right for your car! Unobtanium ain’t cheap!
Today’s challenge –
This inliner was due for a rehab after racking up some serious mileage. What make of beefy block is this and what is it most commonly found in?
THANKS TO VALLEY HEAD SERVICE OF NORTHRIDGE, CA FOR HOOKING US UP WITH THE COOL PHOTOS THIS WEEK!
Cummins 6BT 24 valve block from a Dodge Ram trucks
I 2nd MIke.
It’s a Cummins (6BT/6BTAA) Cylinder Block.
I’m going to have to start getting up earlier 🙂
Rectangular Valves? I’d like to see that!
Ha!
Its a 03-07 cummins 24 valve block.
Also its from a 03-07 2500 or 3500 dodge ram.