63 vette Grand Sport engine build??
 

So, since I found out that my aluminum heads were made for the Grand Sport Vette engines (and thanks SYC for the info.), I was wondering if anyone knows details on the original engine builds?? apparently they were 'all-aluminum' 377 c.i. with a crossram weber intake set-up...I have seen pics on line, but have not come up with any details on the internals...really trick setup for 1963...
I thought maybe to build a similar motor if I could get some more detailed info...Im sure many people here know more about these motors than me...apparently only 12 motors were made total...anyone know of an original block for sale?? or for that matter, anyone know what an original block looks like??just in case I find one... any other info. would be greatly appreciated...

Re: 63 vette Grand Sport engine build??
 

-----Us guys at Classic Motors in Hinsdale restored Grand Sport #1 way back eons ago. The Webers were #58s. Absolutely huge. You could almost stick your hand down one of the barrels. We had an inside friend at the Tech Center back in those days named Tom T. Im not sure to this day how he did it but he unearthed a complete Grand Sport motor which we used. Later a guy named Jim Purvis owned the car and restored it to how it ran at a later date when Roger Penske had control of the car, so a big-block went in. I have no idea where that 377 cube small-block went. Thats how the car was prepared when it was pictured on the oil filter box. Getting back to Tom T, he left GM years ago and no one I know has seen him in years. He could answer every question you could possibly have if I could just track him down.......Bill S

Re: 63 vette Grand Sport engine build??
 

I remember Tom T ... from when I used to work as a vendor for the GM tech center. I did NOT meet him through my work though.

He spent most of his working time dealing with old Corvettes, chasing down ads from the Tradin Times, swap meets, etc.

I was amazed at all the time he spent during work days doing that. I saw him at Carlisle in the mid 70's in a company vehicle with Michigan M plates (a suburban I recall) selling as well.

I had a 64 coupe at the time and I had JUST sold him a dash cluster a week or two earlier and I needed a gauge for my car. I called him and no, he was not going to help me. He WOULD sell me back what i just sold him but for 3 x what he paid me ...

Others I know would see him at Florida shows with GM vehicles (with Michigan M plates) hawking his stuff. He sure got around and I could never figure out WHAT he did at &quot;work&quot;, he must have had some awesome job as he was never there it seemed and he always got GM to pay for his transportation [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

He DID come up with cool stuff though.

Re: 63 vette Grand Sport engine build??
 

-----Jim,,,Never wanted to imply that Tom was a saint. If you knew him you know he wasnt perfect. Not many of us are! Tom wanted to live above his pay scale and thats what drove him. He couldnt get raises fast enough from the General, and it drove him to find other income. Ill leave it at that.....Bill S

Re: 63 vette Grand Sport engine build??
 

thanks guys...

so how was the 377 configured?? I assume it was a 4&quot; bore?? And a one-off crank was used?? Im sure I could figure it out by using math, but I guess it is easier just to ask here..What would be the stroke?? assuming the bore 4&quot;...I think Ive seen 377 ci aftermarket crank and piston kits for sale, havent I???

thanks again...

Re: 63 vette Grand Sport engine build??
 

----Others here will have to give up internal dimensions. The engine came to us together and dyno tested (cant remember the figures) and we never had it apart. We did have fits trying to dial in the Webers though.......Bill S

Re: 63 vette Grand Sport engine build??
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: olredalert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">-----Jim,,,Never wanted to imply that Tom was a saint. If you knew him you know he wasnt perfect. Not many of us are! Tom wanted to live above his pay scale and thats what drove him. He couldnt get raises fast enough from the General, and it drove him to find other income. Ill leave it at that.....Bill S </div></div>

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Re: 63 vette Grand Sport engine build??
 

Bill, you have some wonderful stories, I love em.

Missed you at Bloomington this weekend.

Re: 63 vette Grand Sport engine build??
 

this site is so awesome with the knowledge of it's members...once again right from the people that were there..not just heresay.....Thanks again SYC

thanks Bill...but, the next obvious question...what were the dyno results???

Re: 63 vette Grand Sport engine build??
 

----Ya had to ask, didnt ya??? Ill be dam~ed if I can remember the results, but Ill try to make a call or two this week and pin the #s down. And also,,,your welcome! Actually I should thank you for agitating a few of the little grey cells (the few that are left) with your questions......Bill S

----And Tim,,,I missed being there and runnin with the Texas contingent. Would have been fun. Having problems up here with water in the basement of the new house and just wouldnt have been good company. Looking forward to the next time.....Me again!