Zl-1 Prototype Block

[John D.]

Re: Zl-1 Prototype Block

Art...Looks like you MIGHT be my last resource in finding out the GM history of this block. I'll stay in touch. John

[Art A.]

Re: Zl-1 Prototype Block

John, are you planning on going to the NCRS meet in Old Town FL next Jan?

[John D.]

Re: Zl-1 Prototype Block

Art...Unfortunately, no. I'm a Government employee, and will be training for an upcoming deployment to Africa during that time.

[Rex T.]

Re: Zl-1 Prototype Block

Thought I'd drag this thread out of the archives. I'm still working on my 0 - (0 dash) prototype ZL-1 engine. Anybody got any new info or any comments about this topic?

Thanks,
Rex

[John D.]

Re: Zl-1 Prototype Block

Rex...Please feel free to talk about these blocks anytime. My E-mail address is ZL1Johnny@yahoo.com . I was lucky enough to acquire about 6-8 pages of old GM Engineering paperwork, documenting some of the history of my block (0-294550), to include design order numbers and Program numbers. I checked for YOUR casting number on my papers...no luck. Zora Duntov, Vince Piggins, and other GM 'greats' have their names all over them. One even mentions my casting number, with "For test 1969 Corvette", but doesn't mention my block specifically (70065 53 W) which is on my stamp pad. Paperwork ranges from 8-67 to 6-68, changing the Buid Work Order "70065-53" from 18 to 44 in mid production. They were to be "loosely assembled, not to be run until rebuilt"..."L-88 Type Dry Sump". Assuming this is accurate, my block, "53 W"...was the 23rd one made...and "53 h1", might have been the 34th. The last few papers (by chrono date) cancel 6 casings, so I THINK the total number was 36.

I've seen the other 0-294550 on this thread has a mech fuel pump as well...which dashes the comments I've heard stating that NO Can Am blocks were Mech Fuel Pump. I have NO date on my block, but it must be close to the date of the other 0-294550 (forgot if it's 67 or early 68)...timing chain cover on his reads 0-2945xxx and early Jan 68, which would mesh with my paperwork nicely. So, my questons:

1) Are the other 0-294550 blocks 4.25 or 4.44? My block's cylinders are 4.29 (Was 4.25 bored .040), NOT siamesed...do not almost touch...so it's not that someone just replaced the sleeves. (4.25 CAN AM BLOCKS????)

2) Is the guy that I bought it from in England (that knows what Mclaren it was in) THAT far off base, by saying it arrived from GM in 69, with 34 other blocks? (Souinded like he knew his stuff...all 2nd hand though).

3) Where are the OTHER 33 blocks from the Build Work Order? I've seen 3:
1. Mine
2. Dan Palanches Camaro (Check Wayne Guinn's site)
3. Ronald Raine's (mentioned & shown on this thread)

4) Most importantly, what, if any, is the connection between any TEST Corvette (or Camaro), and my block?

Note: Still looking for Mclaren / ZL-1 Parts for it.

[Rex T.]

Re: Zl-1 Prototype Block

I "think", but am not certain, that my Can Am block "may" be one of the 390 alloy linerless blocks that somebody has post-added the steel liners to it. Casting # is 0-321270 and that is the same casting number that appears on a block that was featured in the Sept. 1972 issue of Hot Rod Magazine. If that is what my block is, then it would have been cast by Reynolds Aluminum Co. The Hot Rod article states that the 390 alloy blocks had no provision for a mechanical fuel pump, and mine does not.

Can anyone add anything else?

Thanks,
Rex