Thread: sbc chev zz4

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i have a question , i just purchased a used zz4 sbc, i see it has 305 heads vortec heads... the engine came out of a 95 chev truck ,
i also just found a set of gm 23 degree aluminum heads

trying to put together a 55 chev truck..want a streetable hotrod..wont be a daily driver for sure...i just would like advice on which heads to use.

by my internet research it looks like the 305's will give it 11.1 compression

also should i use the zz4 cam or can you recommend a new cam with the aluminum?

the heads are supposed to have the heavy springs, what roller rockers lift should i have 3/8 studs?

thanks for any advice you can give me

i am a newbe at hotrodding

i am looking for a street/strip rod

the head numbers are 14101081, the block numbers 10243880

I also found a red and silver sticker glued to the block says remanufactured number 548767
probably was a crate motor that was rebuilt with vortec heads 4 bolts down center valve cover , is hard to say whats inside without dismantling
what do you think?

i know its a lot of questions but want to do this right
thanks

For a real ZZ4, the block casting number is 10105123

For a real ZZ4, the head casting number is 12556463, they are aluminum

You have neither so you dont have a ZZ4 engine.

your block casting number is a 1995-1999 350 for either a boat or a truck and has a 1 piece rear main

the head castings are 1987 to 1996 passenger car heads....not vortec (vortec heads have only 8 hold down bolts)

sorry

mike in tucson

Well, your 10243880 could be the “Real McCoy” as this casting number was in fact found on the 1995 to 2000 350s with four bolt mains, ZZ4 roller cam, and a one piece rear seal. Horsepower was rated at 330.

Or

You could have a 2 bolt Vortec truck engine, (also some Gen I Crate Motors) with a mild roller cam, one piece rear seal and about 220 horsepower.

NO real ZZX, ZZ3 or ZZ4s were built with 2-bolt mains

14101081 heads in any case are not from a ZZ4. This casting was used on 305 in 1987-88 Camaro. They have center bolt valve covers, 1.84 intakes and 1.50 exhausts with 58cc. They also came on some TPI 305's. They are not Vortecs

thanks guys one says it may be and the other says it is not, guess i will start removing parts until i can figure it out
will update here
i will still need help with cam selection if i use the 23 degree gm aluminum heads

My ZZ4 (430) block is 10105123, heads are 62cc 12528826 and cam is 24502586

Clayton, the sad thing is that, if the thing is not a ZZ4, the value is something like a 4X factor, the real ZZ4 being a premium small block and the other being a run of the mill truck engine worth 1/4 of a ZZ4. Unless you paid less than perhaps $750 for the motor, it may have not been a deal.

mike in tucson

well i am lucky i guess, I only paid $300 for the enginge, the fellow I bought it from didnt know what it was. I did the research on the numbers and came up with the zz4 factor. my concern now is that it may have been a zz4 that has been rebuilt , i found a reman tag on the side of the engine (glued on) that says remanufactured with a number on it..if this is the case I dont know what cam is in it . but it does not have aluminum heads cast iron heads that look to be late 80s 305..will take it apart..would like to know the condition even if it does look good. thanks

It may have the ZZ4 cam, but it ain't a ZZ4 motor.

Thanks for your comments
will let you know what i find

Drop the pan. All ZZ motors are 4 bolt mains. They also use powered rods. I'll bet you find a 2 bolt truck block. I'm thinking someone swapped the cam & called it a ZZ4.

When you said powered did you mean powdered? And which either way you meant it, how do you tell the difference?

Steves322 looks like your right 2 bolt mains cant find any numbering on cam
other than an a p so it looks like a truck engine although it does have flat top pistons and the bore measures 4.030 and has a 3.50 stroke
think i will go another direction dont want to waste my time.
Thanks

Yea-typo. Powdered. The part number would be 10108688

Nothing wrong w/ a 2 bolt main block. You aren't into it that deep. Just build it as a 383.

There are several GM part numbers associated with “high performance” connecting rods. The one most people are familiar with is:

14096846 – referred to as “Pink” rods. These are a forged assembly and very desirable. This rod is made from the well-known heavy-duty 1038 steel. It starts as a “select rod” from the forge and then it is Magna-fluxed, shot-peened, heat treated and balanced as a set. GM slapped pink paint on them to differentiate. It’s the common rod in the 350 HO engine and was used in the 1970–1972 LT1, 1970–1974 Z28, and all L82 350s. A heavier-duty version of the same rod is PN 14095071. (It’s possible for early run ZZ4’s to have either of these “Pink” part numbers.)

10108688 - referred to as “Powdered Metal” and are the replacement for the old "pink" rods however; they are not interchangeable and should be used only as a complete set due to the weight difference between these rods and all others.

In 1994, powdered metal (PM) rods emerged with new technology. Some forged rods were still being used, but the PM rods gradually filled the pipeline on LT1 and LT4 engines. The new rods are literally made from sintered “powdered” metal that is pressed and heated to form super-strong, lightweight part. PM rods are really an alloy and sintering is the heating process that bonds the powdered elements together just shy of melting them. The process typically includes a bonding element in the powder mixture to further strengthen the final product. They are a minimum of 2x as strong as the old school “Pink” rods. All engine manufacturers have pretty much converted to PM rods.

As a side note - the PM rods also use a "cracked” or “fractured" cap. The rod and cap are forged as a single piece and the cap is carefully split apart afterward. The idea is to create a very precise fit that is ultimately stronger and better sealing than machined rods and caps.

It goes without saying – really good bolts are standard. ARP for any rebuild..

Regards ,
Glenn