Z-11 restoration

[RCampbell]

Pat knowns more about Thunder than I do...but what is left of the car was priced to me at $100K.

 

[409envy]

Pat knowns more about Thunder than I do...but what is left of the car was priced to me at $100K.

Ahhh I see... unrealistic expectations on the part of the seller. To bad.

 

[Blk61409]

In this case, it's not worth it at all.

Do the math, $100k to begin with!! Stupid price, maybe $15-25k MAX and that would be a stretch!!

 

[Barry Taylor]

Phil, it looks like a tailpipe. you can see the exhaust hanging down from the collectors with one bolt.

 

[Pats 409]

What a great picture of the car in it's glory days, and what a shame it got left out. Anybody know how or why it was left to rot and when it was last driven? Anybody have any current pictures of it?

 

[oil4kids]

That sure is a nice looking Z motor. Just remember that all the horsepower documentation with Chevy dyno runs at the factory were done with 409/425 hp factory exhaust manifolds !!!!!!!! and not the neat Nascar 4 into one headers used on the mystery motor. It still did over 500 hp. Zora A. Duntov who had close ties with the Chevy engineering always wanted a smoother idling camshaft for passenger use which limited more radical camshaft design. I feel A little more overlap and headers would have evened out the horsepower with the mystery motor.

 

[Blk61409]

Here is the Z-11 dog leg shifter compared to the stock one shipped with all other cars.
Notice how Chevrolet attempted to improve tg diameter of the shift shaft and the mounting bracket. All this says is that they knew how poor their design was and quite frankly still was!!
Everyone went to a Hurst or something like that.

 

[oldskydog]

I had at least one of those thick shaft shifters in my collection…..may still have it. I always thought it was Pontiac.

 

[rstreet]

I had at least one of those thick shaft shifters in my collection…..may still have it. I always thought it was Pontiac.

But Cecil, Where in your collection of unreal items is it findable.
Robert

 

[Phil Reed]

I have some thoughts on this shifter.......and as soon as I find them......I will reply.

 

[oldskydog]

But Cecil, Where in your collection of unreal items is it findable.
Robert

It's probably in that pile of over 60 shifters on the shop floor that I keep tripping over.

 

[real61ss]

Verne wanted to pass along information on that shifter. That was just an improved design that was used in conjunction with the Muncie transmission. Those shifters were made in the bench seat and the Super Sport configuration. There was no Z 11 shifter

 

[Blk61409]

Glad to clear up. I had heard that for years.

Both are still junk

 

[wrench]

That's why I added a Hurst in the Pied Piper. But it now sports a Muncie with reverse lock out T on the handle. The wife couldn't keep from grinding when using the back 'em up mode.

 

[Blk61409]

Sounds like you need a "dog leg" shifter to make it like McElroy had

 

[wrench]

I would loved to have seen that!

 

[Blk61409]

Finally, we are making progress!! Too much stuff getting in the way.
Talked to Dave Colbert a while back and he begged me to get it finished before he gets too old to enjoy coming to see it again.

Frame is powder coated along with most loose parts.
Backing plates turned out great!








Z-11 engine just waiting!!!

Ok, just some 409 each for the engine stand

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

I need a towel to sop up the drool .

 

[Phalen409]

I need a towel to sop up the drool .

Always perfect workmanship.....You NEVER cease to amaze. Simply Stunning, PAT!!

 

[Floyd Horton]

Al is very meticulous.