In May of 2003, the original numbers matching engine in my vette gave up the ghost. A small backfire lit the air cleaner on fire, and this caused me to take a closer look at the engine. Luckily no damage was done to the hood or car. I started to take apart the engine because the timing was way off. I found the timing chain gear was missing a few teeth, and the chain jumped. I then proceeded to put the engine back together replacing the broken parts. I was having trouble getting the oil pan to seal with the timing cover. I removed the pan and found that two of my pistons 5 & 7 had broken piston skirts. At that time the decision was made to replace the engine. I went with a ZZ4 crate motor from GM that came with a year warrenty, and decent power.
I made this page to show the picture progression of the engine swap on my 71 vette. All the pictures are thumbnails so click on them to recieve the full size one.
First I proceeded to remove all the connections to the original engine in the car. This pic shows how the motor looked with everything removed and disconnected for engine removal.
This pic is of the original engine after I removed it from the vette.
We picked it up the ZZ4 from Banner Chevrolet in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is how the ZZ4 engine came sealed up.
My dad and little brother picked up the motor since I was in school at LSU when it arrived. They also had the duty of unloading it and moving it into the garage for when I got home.
The ZZ4 came from the factory painted in GM black. I wanted it to look more original in my 71 so I had it painted Chevrolet Orange like the original. Before we could start painting we had to the engine up so none of the aluminum would be orange.
These are pics of the engine as it was being painted orange.
Since the painting was complete I next added all the little things to the engine and bolted it to the four speed Muncie.
With everything done on the engine I got my dad, little brother and his friend to help me put the engine into the car.
This shot has me under the car, and my little brother and his friend guiding the engine in.
Here is a shot my dad took of me as I am working under the car.
Here is me under the car trying to get the tranmission mount attached. My dad is spectating with my little brothers friend.
With the engine in the car and bolted down I finally started to hook everything back up.
With everything complete and the car back together these are the two shots of the ZZ4.