Binnie77

How much lighter is this engine than the original L-48? Here are a couple of pictures of where I am now. The last picture is the stance of the front end. I only have to add the wires, anti-freeze, the distributor and the hood. Is this engine that much lighter than the original?

The3

Don't know the difference in weight but I'm sure the ZZ4 is lighter because of the aluminum heads. I'm about to install my ZZ4 with rebuilt suspension and hopefully it won't sit as high as yours. Maybe it will settle. Thanks for bringing this up.

Shark Racer

It should settle to a degree. On my 550# spring car, the front was raised maybe 1/4" max by switching to aluminum heads.

TopGunn

I just put the same engine in my 75 and there was no noticable difference in the stance. Something is not right if that's the free standing stance, it'll settle a little after being on jackstands but not that much. Wonder if you have the stock coil springs?

Budman68

That's normal. You will need to cut the springs about a 3/4 - 1 coil and that baby will sit nice. Just about everyone out there that has changed to Alum. heads and intake have had the same issue.

68/70Vette

Curious: I noticed you have what looks like two throttle cables???? Is one a manual choke?

My 68/ZZ4 is up about the same amount, the comparison may not be valid. I have the VBP springs up from, which are I believe BB springs. At least they look like BB springs.

Durango_Boy

I think that's the tV cable.

82MDVette

The second cable is the throttle kickdown to the transmission

jackson

Oh maybe 60-75 lbs diff due to heads & intake ... not so different from passenger / no passenger ... so, it may settle right back down after you drive over a few miles of bumps & curves. Heck the water's gonna weigh what? ... about 25lbs? And the hood? ... what? ... 40-50lbs? ... Dist about 7lbs?

Binnie77

The outward cable connects to the cruise servo.

Durango_Boy

If after you get everything back together and drive it, it still sits high...then you can look into aftermarket springs or cutting a coil off f yours. It's a tough process either way, but a goo stance makes the overall look of any car.

NHvette

So, you didn't mess with the suspension ... correct ?

The extra parts will bring it down a bit.
I would suggest waiting until all is installed to worry about height.
Moreso, if the front needs an alignment too.

Binnie77

The suspension is 100% original and has never been touched. The car has not been off the floor since I switched engines. I will be putting up on ramps later today to finish connecting the transmission etc. The car has a TKO 500 in it as well which is considerable lighter than the TH 350 so that makes the drive train even lighter.

Durango_Boy

I think you'd be very happy with a single coil cut or an aftermarket spring. They can be bought with certain upgrades in mind. Say you think you shed 50 pounds give or take, you can buy springs that support 50 pounds less than stock.

mandm1200

Some real quick math. I don't know what coil springs are in there, but lets assume something soft like 350 lb/in springs. That 700 lb/in for the pair. Assuming the weight savings was 100 pounds the car should raise 100/700 or 1/7" of an inch. It looks like it up higher than that. Hopefully it drops after it moved/driven. Since most people measure the height at the lip on the fender, what is your measurement. Mine is about 28" with the factory springs.

Durango_Boy

From the ground to the fender lip, using the center of the rim as the center line, I have 27.5". That's with stock suspension and brakes, and a 350 / TH350 and no hood. The tire size P235/60 R15. I was very happy with the height after cutting a single ring from each stock '77 spring.

Jims79

If you have 235/60/15's on the front that looks normal. Before I would cut the coils drive the car to see if it settles. If its still I would get 225/70/15's or 255/60/15's correct size tires for your car & will fill out the wheel well.

Durango_Boy

I already cut the coils...someone else was unhappy with the front end height.

Roadster71

Have you rolled/moved the car since you brought back on the ground?
I put a zz4 in my 71 this spring and it changed very little.

bobs77vet

when you go to start the engine use water not mixed with anti freeze....that way if you have a leak you dont have a mess on your hands.....after all is good ....drain it and add real anitfreeze.....do your math and add the antifreeze first and then the water to top it off so the water that remains in the block will have the correct mixture