Gmpp
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Cortez Florida
Gmpp
Any recommendations on 1965 small block replacement. Currently a tired early 80's truck 350. Looking at a ZZ4 or 383\425hp crate motor. Will be used on the street for fun and cruisin only ....any thoughts?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Kanata Ontario
ZZ4 is a good motor, pretty much a straight bolt-in replacement. One change to the motor needed is replacing the HEI dist with a tach-drive so you can use the stock tach. Oil pressure fitting is the same, I think you have to change the water pump if you stay with the stock fan/rad (I went to a DeWitt with an electric fan, and used a March pulley system for my accessories). And, finally, you need a low profile air filter to clear the hood. Plenty of power, but really a great daily driver motor.
Cheers,
Bruce
Cheers,
Bruce
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln NE
ZZ4 motor
IZYALTR, I just got my '61 back from putting a Keisler 5 speed and ZZ4. Straight out of the crate with a short water pump and 750 Edelbrock, used the old air cleaner. Had the tach changed to electronic and should have had the rest of the gauges redone, but they work fine. They wired the alternator to read amps and other gauges worked. If i would have thought i should have had the rest of the cluster redone while it was out. The tach was the only thing they had to wait for.
First impressions of driving are great. Mechanic said the ZZ4 pulls much better than the Ramjet and it is cheaper. Would be a straight bolt in for a medyear, I may do it to my '64.
I had a Dewitt radiator and some electric fans put in also. They almost never come on, it's been pretty cool so far since i got it. Electric choke on the carb made the cold start easy at 30 degrees yesterday.
Scoggins Dickey had the lowest price and got the engine there in 5 days.
Dave
First impressions of driving are great. Mechanic said the ZZ4 pulls much better than the Ramjet and it is cheaper. Would be a straight bolt in for a medyear, I may do it to my '64.
I had a Dewitt radiator and some electric fans put in also. They almost never come on, it's been pretty cool so far since i got it. Electric choke on the carb made the cold start easy at 30 degrees yesterday.
Scoggins Dickey had the lowest price and got the engine there in 5 days.
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 6
From: Arizona
Details Please!
Originally Posted by 61iwon
IZYALTR, I just got my '61 back from putting a Keisler 5 speed and ZZ4. Straight out of the crate with a short water pump and 750 Edelbrock, used the old air cleaner. Had the tach changed to electronic and should have had the rest of the gauges redone, but they work fine. They wired the alternator to read amps and other gauges worked. If i would have thought i should have had the rest of the cluster redone while it was out. The tach was the only thing they had to wait for.
First impressions of driving are great. Mechanic said the ZZ4 pulls much better than the Ramjet and it is cheaper. Would be a straight bolt in for a medyear, I may do it to my '64.
I had a Dewitt radiator and some electric fans put in also. They almost never come on, it's been pretty cool so far since i got it. Electric choke on the carb made the cold start easy at 30 degrees yesterday.
Scoggins Dickey had the lowest price and got the engine there in 5 days.
Dave
First impressions of driving are great. Mechanic said the ZZ4 pulls much better than the Ramjet and it is cheaper. Would be a straight bolt in for a medyear, I may do it to my '64.
I had a Dewitt radiator and some electric fans put in also. They almost never come on, it's been pretty cool so far since i got it. Electric choke on the carb made the cold start easy at 30 degrees yesterday.
Scoggins Dickey had the lowest price and got the engine there in 5 days.
Dave
Could you advise of some of the particulars concerning the motor and location for ordering or getting more info? Website?
Thanks
Mike S.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Cortez Florida
Intake
What intake and carb setup did you use? Are you familiar with intake #14033058?undefined
Originally Posted by 61iwon
IZYALTR, I just got my '61 back from putting a Keisler 5 speed and ZZ4. Straight out of the crate with a short water pump and 750 Edelbrock, used the old air cleaner. Had the tach changed to electronic and should have had the rest of the gauges redone, but they work fine. They wired the alternator to read amps and other gauges worked. If i would have thought i should have had the rest of the cluster redone while it was out. The tach was the only thing they had to wait for.
First impressions of driving are great. Mechanic said the ZZ4 pulls much better than the Ramjet and it is cheaper. Would be a straight bolt in for a medyear, I may do it to my '64.
I had a Dewitt radiator and some electric fans put in also. They almost never come on, it's been pretty cool so far since i got it. Electric choke on the carb made the cold start easy at 30 degrees yesterday.
Scoggins Dickey had the lowest price and got the engine there in 5 days.
Dave
First impressions of driving are great. Mechanic said the ZZ4 pulls much better than the Ramjet and it is cheaper. Would be a straight bolt in for a medyear, I may do it to my '64.
I had a Dewitt radiator and some electric fans put in also. They almost never come on, it's been pretty cool so far since i got it. Electric choke on the carb made the cold start easy at 30 degrees yesterday.
Scoggins Dickey had the lowest price and got the engine there in 5 days.
Dave
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Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln NE
ZZ4 intake
I used the intake that came with the ZZ4, don't know the number. It would be easy to find out. Check www.sdpc2000.com and look up zz4, they have a parts list with the numbers for the engine. I paid $3698 plus 165 shipping to Tenessee from Texas. Sometimes you can find one on ebay and get it a little cheaper. I think there is a ZZ430 special motor on there now, 5499 or so for it, this was a special edition fully equipped i think. 430 hp.
www.gmpartsdepot.com, www.salleechevrolet.com, www.summitracing.com, www.pace.com are good sites for gmpp too, Sallee's has message boards on lots of parts that can be helpful.
I used an edelbrock performer 750 w/electric choke on mine and it seems great.
Just added a carb, plug wires, different water pump, fuel pump, and oil filter adapter and the engine was ready to go.
Glad to share what i can with anyone.
If you wanted to stay cheaper on the engine use the 350/330 hp engine and you can get it ready to drop in for about $3400 to 3500 i think.
Dave
www.gmpartsdepot.com, www.salleechevrolet.com, www.summitracing.com, www.pace.com are good sites for gmpp too, Sallee's has message boards on lots of parts that can be helpful.
I used an edelbrock performer 750 w/electric choke on mine and it seems great.
Just added a carb, plug wires, different water pump, fuel pump, and oil filter adapter and the engine was ready to go.
Glad to share what i can with anyone.
If you wanted to stay cheaper on the engine use the 350/330 hp engine and you can get it ready to drop in for about $3400 to 3500 i think.
Dave
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Cortez Florida
I was just concerned about hood clearance. Some websites note a second manifold choice because of the clearance issue. And, was the short water pump necessary to use a stock fan? Phil
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln NE
Short water pump
I had to use the short water pump because the '61 has a motor mount on the front of the block. I used electric fans because ? I like the setup and efficiency of the fans.
I see Sallee Chevy has a ZZ430 motor on their web site for sale. I think it was $6599? They only made 430 of these. Try this link
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/) search for zz430 and it will come up.
Sallee also has some other nice motors based on the ZZ4. Do a search for zz4 and you will find them.
Dave
I see Sallee Chevy has a ZZ430 motor on their web site for sale. I think it was $6599? They only made 430 of these. Try this link
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/) search for zz430 and it will come up.Sallee also has some other nice motors based on the ZZ4. Do a search for zz4 and you will find them.
Dave
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Gladwyne Pa.
Zz4
Had a ZZ4 in my `65. I used the ZZ4 intake and my 2810 Holley along with an after market low air cleaner. I even used my stock 2.5 inch exhaust manifolds and plumbing to the carb. Everything fit fine and, it ran like a scalded dog.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Cortez Florida
Dave, would you happen to know anything about 2x4 carb setup? Edelbrock makes a low profile manifold and recommens 500 cfm carbs. I unsure of the whole hood clearance thing. Phil
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 7
From: Johnsonville Wi
The only caveat on a zz430 change is that if it has the big cast valve covers, (to clear the roller rockers) you will end up with alternater location problems. Had to fab some brackets for mine. Also the zz430 has raised ports on the fastburn heads and really needs special headers to perform to it's potential. I had a zz3 in there before (physically the same as the zz4) and it was a no brainer install - and a great motor, original 2 1/2" Rams Horn headers bolt right on and are good enough for the L98 heads. You only need some valve covers to make it look great under the hood (centerbolt, a hundred bucks or so.)
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 117
Likes: 15
From: Atlanta GA
I just took my newly- motored zz383 66 coupe for a quick blast saturday nite, and would have to say that if " just for cruzin " this motor is probably overkill. A zz4 would probably be a better all-rounder and easier on the pocket book, but the zz383 with 3.70's really charges ! Easily lights up a set of 245/45x17's.Big block power on a diet!
