Mystery Engine

[Peter G.]

Can anyone provide some input or suggestions about this engine?
59-all-01.jpg59-all-03.jpg59-all-02.jpg59-all-04.jpg

OK to PM me.
Thanks!

[Jim L.]

Re: Mystery Engine

That's an all aluminum 283 with prototype block and quasi-production aluminum heads.

What do you know of its history?

Jim

[Peter G.]

Re: Mystery Engine

I really don't know much about it's history.
The most recent owner of this engine unfortunately passed away.

[Rick G.]

Re: Mystery Engine

I agree with Jim. I saw a all aluminum block with an identical date at the Hot August Nights Swap Meet during the late 1980's. I can't remember the vendor but would not be surprised had it been Jack Podell. First and only one I have ever seen. If memory serves me correctly, the price was around $3k for the bare block, no heads were available.

[Bruce T.]

Re: Mystery Engine

Can anyone provide some input or suggestions about this engine?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]39544[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39545[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39546[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39547[/ATTACH]

OK to PM me.
Thanks!

Paul Siano has one of those aluminum 283 blocks in his V8 Corvair.

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1012_1966_corvair_corsa/

[Terry M.]

Re: Mystery Engine

More 0- casting numbers from the old days -- and twin turbos to boot.

[Dick W.]

Re: Mystery Engine

I am wondering, with the turbo set up, if this is not an aborted Indy stock block engine. I know that there were several attempts to build stock blocks for Indy. I remember seeing the Pontiac engine at Ray Nichels shop 40 years ago.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Mystery Engine

Paul Siano has one of those aluminum 283 blocks in his V8 Corvair.
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...corvair_corsa/

I live near Crystal River, Florida now. There is a guy, maybe the same fellow, who has a Crown converted Corvair with a 59 all aluminum 283 in it around here. I've seen the car at several shows at at several "cruise in" events.

MUST be the same car.

Chuck

[John H.]

Re: Mystery Engine

The cold intake side of both turbos have what appear to be professionally-made adapters for Weber side-draft carburetors (probably 58mm DCOE's).

[Duke W.]

Re: Mystery Engine

It appears to have "integral" valve guides, just like cast iron heads. I think that was the downfall of these early aluminum heads. GM didn't want to spend the money in production to install guide inserts as was/is typical for aluminum heads, then and today, but it didn't work.

Duke

[Peter G.]

Re: Mystery Engine

Thanks for all the comments. Here is a photo of the engine stamp pad.

59-all-05.jpg
I would like to figure out where this engine came from and what it was used in.
Its difficult when the people you need to talk to aren't around anymore!
I have an idea, but its only speculative.
If anyone else has some suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Mystery Engine

bill howell at GM was around in this time frame working on projects like this.

[Loren L.]

Re: Mystery Engine

Dr. Pete:
What you have is a very common reference in Chev. Engineering (other than writing "Record Engine" in crayon, for
example) - it is undoubtedly the Work Order # that built this motor - 17495-12A. The 12A would probably reflect the
12th ( or 13th) variation off of the original 17495 WO.

Thanks for all the comments. Here is a photo of the engine stamp pad.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]39582[/ATTACH]
I would like to figure out where this engine came from and what it was used in.
Its difficult when the people you need to talk to aren't around anymore!
I have an idea, but its only speculative.
If anyone else has some suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

[John N.]

Re: Mystery Engine

After contacting Howell, I would consider Gale Banks. Banks is in recent history a leader in turbocharging and has run GMC project trucks at Bonneville. Gale might know the history.
Have a great weekend.