My son & I started assembling the ZZ3 shortblock today. We installed all of the freeze plugs and screw-in galley plugs. When we went to put in the front oil galley plugs, the two outer ones were larger than the plugs we had - I had both a brass and steel kit, and the plugs provided were 1/2 inch. I had to go to two different parts stores to find two 9/16th expansion plugs.

Are those plugs larger in crate blocks? Did I get a weird block? I checked the '87 LB9 block I have laying around, they were 1/2" - indicating the plugs aren't larger in (all) roller blocks.

 

I'm helping a friend rebuild a 97 LT1 block right now and IIRC they were 1/2 inch.

 

I used a standard Mr. Gasket SBC brass plug kit on the '94, and I wasn't lacking any plugs that I can recall. It still holds oil pressure, as far as I know.

The answer might be an education for some of us.

 

AFAIK they are all ½"....

But, you can just as easily drill and tap it for pipe plugs; either 1/8" NPT if that will work, or if not, put ¼" NPT ones in it. Using pipe plugs is part of proper block prep for performance use anyway.

Drill a small hole (#70 is about good) in the 2 plugs on either side of the cam bore for oiling the chain.

 

Sounds like you have the same block I do. My machinist said it is a Mexican block. Mine was a replacement motor for a pick up truck.

 

Pipe plugs would be nice, but the cam bearings are already in and, of course, these were the last of the expansion plugs to go in. I suppose one could attempt to block off debris from other passages, but I think I'll stick with the 9/16" plugs now.

Performance crate motor blocks from Mexico? I suppose anything is possible, but I kind of doubt it. The casting otherwise is one of the cleanest I've seen, and although I don't see a new one every day, I've seen a plenty. If someone can decipher the casting markings, I could post them if that would shed any light.

 

Okay, weirdness #2: The LB9 cam plate didn't fit. The bolt spacing on the LB9 is 3-5/8", on the ZZ block 3-5/16". I just slotted the plate holes so it would go on, but I've never heard of different plates on different roller blocks.

The block casting # is 14093638, what I believe is the date code is H1827.

 

Vortec truck?

 

There was a thread many moons ago about different cam plates, seems you need the one ya don't have

 

You need the plate that fits the lt1 impala motor. Hold on and I will get the part number. Mexican blocks use this other plate.

 

10088128

 

Per http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpart...f/24502609.pdf , page 3, 10088128 is 1st design, 3.620" bolt pattern, and 1016851 is 2nd design, 3.294" bolt pattern. 2nd design is for ZZ3 and ZZ4.

Interesting what you can find when you know there's something to look for.

 

I don't see any particular reason not to use the modified LB9 piece. The cam gear clears just fine and all. I was planning on using the LB9 roller parts to finish off the shortblock, I don't need any more suprises (the lifters had better work).

 

Sorry, I was wrong. I got to work this morning and checked, sure enough the outer plugs are 9/16". Even says 9/16" on them. Sorry.

 

Wow, that's my new thing to learn for today... I haven't run into one like that yet.

 

I feel a little better now.

But not much after paying $6.95 for a complete kit, then $2.52 more (plus the hour and a half running them down) for two 9/16" plugs.

 

what is this cam plate thing? I don't think I have one...didn't recall taking one off. and didn't put one on....Is it necessary on a pre 87 older style pass side 350?

 

'87-up, factory roller cam only.

 

thankgod...but i think iwill loosen the timing cover and put a light and a mirror in there to see if the galley plugs are in b4 i lower the pan dna pull the balancer....unless i can rotate the timing cover out of the way without removing the balancer.

 

Might be difficult to see behind the timing gear & chain.

 

The date code decifers to August 18, either 1987 or 1997. Since the cam plate is 2nd design, and my '87 LB9 is obviously 1st design, I think that indicates it was a 1997 casting. However, mortec.com indicates that casting # only went through 1995 (that may just indicate production use, though, not replacement or crate use).

It would be interesting to know.

(I had left the "0" out of the casting # in my previous post, now edited.)

 

Just to bring this back from the dead, I opened up a Pioneer SBC plug kit today and it had both 1/2" and 9/16" plugs in it.

 

I have the same thing on my block the two side oil galley plugs are bigger. S o i need to use the 9/16 plugs right.

 

Sounds like it.

 

I need the 9/16 plugs but i can't find them at any part stores. Can someone please tell me somewhere online i can order them.

 

Summit Racing - High Performance Car and Truck Parts | 800-230-3030 has the full Pioneer kit mentioned above. PIO-830001 & PIO-PE100BR, both brass, not sure what the difference is between them.

I got mine from Checker Auto Parts. They had individual expansion plugs under the counter, not on the computer.