ZL-1 Magazine Cover Photo Engine

[Patrick B.]

At Carlisle I saw Kevin McKay's display that included a ZL-1 mock-up engine using a 67-68 Can-Am
pre-ZL-1 block with closed chamber heads just like the one on the "How to Hotrod Big Blocks" book and the 1968 Hot Rod Magazine that had the first story on the ZL-1. Was that supposed to be the actual GM studio engine or a duplicate made by Kevin McKay? There must be be a good story if it the actual GM piece.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: ZL-1 Magazine Cover Photo Engine

Pat...I believe it's the actual GM piece...but my feeble brain might fault me...

[Clem Z.]

Re: ZL-1 Magazine Cover Photo Engine

yes there were closed chambered ZL-1 engines

[Patrick B.]

Re: ZL-1 Magazine Cover Photo Engine

yes there were closed chambered ZL-1 engines

Clem-- Here is a picture of a closed chamber engine like the ZL-1 cover photo engine at its second race, the 12 hours at Sebring in March 1967. It debuted at the 24 Hours of Daytona in February 67 in the Chaparral 2F in the background. Interestingly, these early ZL-1 prototypes still used the stock chrome valve covers and 4 weber carbs. The Chaparral 2F was one of Jim Hall's automatic transmission race cars so the engines must have been tuned for torque. The 2F was the fastest car at the FIA international sports cars races in 67 but it was plagued with transmission, wing and electric problems and did not win until the last race of the season. It could not compete the next year because FIA outlawed 7 liter engines.IMG_0778.jpg

[Clem Z.]

Re: ZL-1 Magazine Cover Photo Engine

Clem-- Here is a picture of a closed chamber engine like the ZL-1 cover photo engine at its second race, the 12 hours at Sebring in March 1967. It debuted at the 24 Hours of Daytona in February 67 in the Chaparral 2F in the background. Interestingly, these early ZL-1 prototypes still used the stock chrome valve covers and 4 weber carbs. The Chaparral 2F was one of Jim Hall's automatic transmission race cars so the engines must have been tuned for torque. The 2F was the fastest car at the FIA international sports cars races in 67 but it was plagued with transmission, wing and electric problems and did not win until the last race of the season. It could not compete the next year because FIA outlawed 7 liter engines.[ATTACH=CONFIG]41594[/ATTACH]

the easiest way to tell the open chamber from closed chamber heads externally are the shape of the outside surface of the exhaust ports outside the rocker covers. the closed chambered ones this area is semi flat and the open chambers this area is round

[Mike E.]

Re: ZL-1 Magazine Cover Photo Engine

Is this the Chaparral 2F in this video the one you guys are talking about? Dang check out the wing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoyJYAkxd08

Mike

[Patrick B.]

Re: ZL-1 Magazine Cover Photo Engine

That looks like the Chaparral 2E Can-Am car that started out with an aluminum 327 in 1966 and required some new bodywork to handle a 427 later in 1967 as a second team car. The main car in 67 for Chaparral's Can-AM effort was the 2G which was similar but more slab sided. The Chaparral 2F which I refered to was a coupe not an open car like the Can-Am cars, and it raced in the FIA international sports car races whichincluded LeMans and other endurance races. The 2F never raced in Can-Am. The 2F apparantly had fewer engine problems than the Can-Am cars. Jim Hall is quoted as saying they blew 11 aluminum 427s in 6 races in Can-Am. I have an early aluminum block that I believe is from one of those 11 blown engines. It was a generous gift from an NCRS member who also comments on the TDB.