Refinishing the LT5

[Daniel_Mc]

Hey guys I just wanted to share some before and after shots of the refinishing of the LT5 in the Dieline Z. The motor was looking rough at some point one of the PO’s before myself or Buzz attempted to “fix” the flaking black paint by spray painting things without disassembly or even masking. It really looked like a “Hold my beer and watch this” job. Once the plenum was removed, this was a job since it had some rounded over tightened bolts, clean up started. I was originally told by some at BG that this LT5 was not black but painted over the stock paint. I found this not the case there was nothing but bare aluminum under the paint and what really got my attention was under the white “4 cam 32 valve” and “corvette” was actually red paint just as the later 8 Black Widow cars would receive. Also when I removed the cam cover emblem the black paint was under that as well. I feel if as though this motor came from Mercury Black not painted later. I need to pull the stampings and see what those numbers tell me. Anyway once off and cleaned it went back together fairly easily and I am very happy with the results. I also took the opportunity to repaint parts of the frame and firewall and get it all looking presentable again.
Also thanks to everyone that helped:
Duke G. and CJ for all of the extra hours of help
Jerry for the new gaskets
David J for finding some parts for me
Lee for help with me being an idiot over the MAP sensor
Mike for the attention to detail with the powder coating

Here are a few pictures, the Z still has a long way to go but it keeps looking better:

LT5 Before
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/5609/img1153u.jpg

How bad the cam covers were
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/5809/picture075q.jpg

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/5271/picture074z.jpg

Here is the red paint and black paint under the emblem
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/3032/picture457c.jpg

[Daniel_Mc]

And back together
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1279/picture109pe.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1592/picture458x.jpg

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/6617/picture460v.jpg

New plate is on
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9678/picture454x.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4387/picture456i.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6932/picture450c.jpg

[ZZZZZR1]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not a big fan of black motors, but damn that looks sweet!!!!

Well done Daniel!!!

:cheers:

David

[Kevin]

those white dymags are to die for. so hot. and the black motor A++ love your car

[A26B]

Daniel, the Zee looks awesome! The basic Red, White & Black have always been my most favorite and yours is at the top of the list. Beautiful and loaded with provenance.
C ya at BG!

BTW, as it pertains to the black engine. I picked up some heads with black cam covers, injector housings, coolant outlet pipes & plenum and believe it all originated at Stillwater. We know the bently engines were black, as well as the boat engines, so it would come as no surprise as Mercury probably keeps a fair bit of black paint around somewhere.

[jimmac28]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not a big fan of black motors, but damn that looks sweet!!!!

Well done Daniel!!!

:cheers:

David

I'm with you Dave, WOW :cheers:

[Daniel_Mc]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not a big fan of black motors, but damn that looks sweet!!!!

Well done Daniel!!!


Thanks David!:icon_thum

those white dymags are to die for. so hot. and the black motor A++ love your car

Thanks Kevin for some reason when I read that reply Billy Madison popped in my head with that "Veronica Vaughn sooo fine..." quote LOL You may or may not know what I am talking about. :cheers:

Daniel, the Zee looks awesome! The basic Red, White & Black have always been my most favorite and yours is at the top of the list. Beautiful and loaded with provenance.
C ya at BG!

BTW, as it pertains to the black engine. I picked up some heads with black cam covers, injector housings, coolant outlet pipes & plenum and believe it all originated at Stillwater. We know the bently engines were black, as well as the boat engines, so it would come as no surprise as Mercury probably keeps a fair bit of black paint around somewhere.

Jerry, That really means a lot Thank You sir! I am looking forward to seeing you in BG we will have to talk more about the Black finish from Mercury. I really need to follow through on all the little things this Z is hiding before all the answers are gone.

I'm with you Dave, WOW
Thanks :cool:

[VetteMed]

Looks great, Daniel. Every time I see pictures of your car, I kick myself, as I was bidding on it the first time it was listed on ebay. Just didn't have the coin to meet the reserve though.

[FU]

Good L00KING car, love the krinkle black engine. We know that white car's are just naturally faster than the rest of the pack :-D

[XfireZ51]

Much better Daniel.

[Daniel_Mc]

Looks great, Daniel. Every time I see pictures of your car, I kick myself, as I was bidding on it the first time it was listed on ebay. Just didn't have the coin to meet the reserve though.

Thank you! I looked forever for the right Z and a really glad this one worked out. Would you happen to have any old pictures of it? I have been looking for anything I can find related to the Z. I was told it was in a magazine article in the 90's but have never been able to confirm that.

Good L00KING car, love the krinkle black engine. We know that white car's are just naturally faster than the rest of the pack

LOL Thanks Frank ;)

Much better Daniel

TY! :cheers:

BTW if anyone has pictures or anything on this Z please let me know!

Daniel

[ghlkal]

As a noob here, I haven't seen your car before. I really like the ZR-1 decal on the rear fender. I don't usually like that sort of thing, but the red on the white goes great! Oh, the black LT5 is nice too :)

[cvette98pacecar]

And back together
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1279/picture109pe.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1592/picture458x.jpg

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/6617/picture460v.jpg

New plate is on
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9678/picture454x.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4387/picture456i.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6932/picture450c.jpg

Daniel, when I get the engine redone I want you powder coat name and number, That looks great.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Wow!, Daniel!

That really POPS! Cant wait to see it at BG.

[Daniel_Mc]

As a noob here, I haven't seen your car before. I really like the ZR-1 decal on the rear fender. I don't usually like that sort of thing, but the red on the white goes great! Oh, the black LT5 is nice too

Thanks I enjoyed the nice thread about you and your wife bringing the Z home. I always like to see that sort of thing. The decal on the quarters is the ZR-1 Splash logo it was originally on the Z but a couple of owners back it was removed along with most of the distinct markings that the Z had. Not to mention the custom exhaust and coilovers I am going back with most of the markings (not really liking the white out lights) and will make my own exhaust to mimic the original. The coilovers will also be reinstalled. The Splash logo in the quarters is still not 100% correct but I can not locate the original ZR-1 Splash in a high enough resolution to have it cut so this one will have to do for now. I was quite apprehensive about putting it on I had mixed feelings looking over the pictures but once it was on I loved it. Here is a little more detail on the Dieline ZR-1 (http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3916161/1991-chevrolet-corvette-zr1-hatchback-coupe-2d) Thank you again for the kind words!

Daniel, when I get the engine redone I want you powder coat name and number, That looks great.

Robert,
I have used Mike several times and his work is outstanding. He has great attention to deal, is very reasonable, and easy to deal with. Turn around is quick as well. The first time I used him was for the L98 parts in our 89 and it all looked KILLER when he was done with them. Here is his website http://www.thepowdercoater.com/ (http://www.thepowdercoater.com/) when you are ready give him a shout and see what he can do. I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.

Wow!, Daniel!

That really POPS! Cant wait to see it at BG.

Thanks Brett!!! I can't wait to see your Z in person

Daniel

[ScottZ95ZR1]

Your car looks fantastic, Daniel! :cheers:

[ksphar]

Amazing looking Z. The dymags look great and the ZR-1 splash on the rear quarter looks good as well. Looking forward to seeing at BG. :cheers:

[Bob Eyres]

Beautiful car. I've got a white one, and if you ever get sick of those Dymags, let me know, wow

I'm tempted to make some smartass comment about the ZR-1 sign on the fender[-X but I'll just shut my mouth.

[Daniel_Mc]

Beautiful car. I've got a white one, and if you ever get sick of those Dymags, let me know, wow

I'm tempted to make some smartass comment about the ZR-1 sign on the fender[-X but I'll just shut my mouth.

Bob,

Thanks but the Dymags came with the Z originally so I wouldn't think of separating them from the car. I do have a set of Gen I Dymags that have been totally refinished and never mounted on a car since refinishing (never even had tires mounted). Would you be interested in that style? They are for a ZR-1 17x9.5 front and 17x11 rear with proper offsets.

The splash was originally on the car as well and I always thought it looked very 80's early 90's Miami Vice or Hawaii 5-0. Then the more I looked at the old pictures the more I liked it I also like how the logo makes the Z stand out a bit more.

Daniel

[Kevin]

what's the going rate on a set of dymags

[WydGlydJim]

Black motor in the white car looks great.........but OMG those white Dymags are crazy good looking!
:worship::worship:

[VetteMed]

Dan, I don't have any other info other than what was in the ebay ad at the time, the seller didn't seem very knowledgeable about it all. I probably would have bought the car if it didn't have the rollcage in it (since I do like to take the targa top off on occasion). But, I'm glad someone in the ZR-1 Brotherhood bought it so I can at least look at the pictures and drool :)

[Daniel_Mc]

what's the going rate on a set of dymags

Kevin, PM'd you.

Black motor in the white car looks great.........but OMG those white Dymags are crazy good looking!

Thanks you!

Dan, I don't have any other info other than what was in the ebay ad at the time, the seller didn't seem very knowledgeable about it all. I probably would have bought the car if it didn't have the rollcage in it (since I do like to take the targa top off on occasion). But, I'm glad someone in the ZR-1 Brotherhood bought it so I can at least look at the pictures and drool

Thanks, I have run across a lot of misinformation on this Z. A lot of people didn't know what it was or who did it so I went right to the source and spoke to the people that built the car and it was much more interesting than i thought. BTW if you turn the top around it fits in the hatch just fine :wink:

[VetteMed]

BTW if you turn the top around it fits in the hatch just fine :wink:

Thanks for ruining my day. :mad:

[scholtmj]

Wow, car looks great! When you get ready to move on or find a challenge car I'd love to bring the Dieline Z back to Michigan!

[Daniel_Mc]

Thanks for ruining my day.

LOL sorry I just thought you may want to know. If it makes you feel any better it rattles a little...

Wow, car looks great! When you get ready to move on or find a challenge car I'd love to bring the Dieline Z back to Michigan!

Not only Michigan but the Dieline Corp was located in Grand Rapids so this Z was built in Grand Rapids. Funny because the Grand Sport we have came from the same town. I want to do the Woodward Cruise again and run by where the Dieline Corporations shop was located. I know it has changed hands a few times but would still be cool to do. I don’t have any plans to sell anytime soon :icon_thum

Daniel

[VetteMed]

LOL sorry I just thought you may want to know. If it makes you feel any better it rattles a little...




Nah, it's OK, I still had my red Z then, and really couldn't afford your Z at the same time. By the time I sold the red Z, my budget had shrunken even further!

[Tony Davila]

Dan, Frank and I will be out there at BG to inspect your work. I will bring my white glove. Great Job!:saluting:

Tony Davila

[Daniel_Mc]

Dan, Frank and I will be out there at BG to inspect your work. I will bring my white glove. Great Job!:saluting:

Tony Davila

Tony,

I'm looking forward to seeing you guys again! Less than a week to go :dancing Have a safe trip in and don't look too close at the Z :eek: LOL

Daniel