ZL-1 block versus Can-Am block?

[Kered-TCracingCA]

Originally Posted by Rex

I have two of the 0-321270 blocks. One has sleeves and the other does not and doesn't appear to have ever had sleeves. The one without sleves has these characters hand stamped on the left rear corner of the block: RMC MOL and under that the number 10.

I was told on another forum the RMC stood for "Reynolds Massena Casting" (Massena, New York).

I also have an NOS 430 crank and pistons. Crank came from Grumpy Jenkins’ shop.

Hi Rex, glad to see you over here. On the project that we talked about an 0-dash history mostly, that I started sharing over on CF, this throws a curve ball, but a helpful curve ball. On the Chevrolet 1967-1970 Chevrolet 356 blocks, I have assumed one or more of those 0-Dash units might be the prototype for the Reynolds 390, so no panic. I have seen and read RMC (but even though I try to be on top of it all, sometimes my brain misses occasionally), I think even in this thread I read quickly to see if that was discussed. Those are still done up separate from the Reynolds 390 series, but the 0-321270 might just be that development/prototype run that led to the tooling up for Reynolds 390. Interesting. Thus let me dig some more on that history. I wanted to throw in to help, where I know smart guys on here, all of this hang out. As my personal email indicate, I know you know some stuff.

Therefore this line from my post is inaccurate, so removed this--->>>> Reynolds had nothing to do with these 1967-essentially thru 1970 offered engines or blocks using 356 alloy! Thus interest is to improve the History. I added 390 to two of the other mentions of Reynolds too. With your valued knowledge, I just gladly improved the accuracy overall of my post above. I still want to check into the RMC, go back and look at the castings for such, just to double check. Chevrolet was known to farm out Casting, so we had Winters, Alcoa, Reynolds, Tonawanda, and a few others. I wasn't pursuing who did what for Chevy, but that would be good to know information.

[Kered-TCracingCA]

Crankshafts for 430 were:
P#3993803 Machined 3.47 stroke
P#3965746 Semi-Finished 3.4 to 3.8.

Another Semi-Finished one was available, but will have to search down that unit part number meant for 3.9 to 4.25 stroke.

Then we had:
P#3967811 3.76 (L88 unit) for 465 cubes
P#3963524 4.00 (LS7 unit-454) for 495 cubes

[Kered-TCracingCA]

I just threw up a post on Can BBC over in Technical and Restoration that might be of interest to people following these Can Am/ZL-1 threads. I am still trying to figure out the ins and out of this forum.

[Keith Seymore]

Your post from the other thread:

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthre...=139808&page=3

Originally Posted by Kered-TCracingCA

I just joined and participating in some of these Aluminum Development threads. Yes I know exactly where this block was used. Too bad something famous like this can't be reunited to it's home car.

So ZL-1 Engine #1 was being pushed from the CEC White Room to the Hot Test Room, which was just 175 feet away. The guy pushing it, stopped to use a vending machine and when he walked back around the corner into that hallway, that engine was gone/stolen. Because of GM clout, even the FBI came in. So Engine #2 was heavily escorted, as #1 has never turned up.

So Engine #3 was the first engine that made it into Zora Duntov's care. They had disbanded his Engine Development team, just prior to ZL-1, so was waiting on his first ZL-1 from the Chevrolet Engine team where Frincke was transferred. Thus this got fitted to what would become known as the ZL-1 Super Vette, made famous in an article named 10 Second Ride or whatever it was named. Not getting that title off the top of the brain. So they were using this engine to push the limits on the capability of the platform, this particular engine #3 getting modifications. Then this very unit was built up into the 454 #2 config, and installed in the famed LT-2 car, that was used for the Press showing, to demonstrate 1/4 mile capability.

I have tried to accumulate names of guys in these different departments, but I have that data loose in notes all over the place. So don't know who A.C is, without looking into it.

This is a treat to see these stampings on this very block!

I love stuff like this, like another famed block popped up that I saw belonging to the famed 1966 Penske L88 race car. What is in the car now belongs in the Penske L88 Grand Sport, as some of these guys that do restoration find something rare and it doesn't make it back to the right car!

[Kered-TCracingCA]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Your post from the other thread:

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthre...=139808&page=3

Thanks for helping to share my posts!!!!!

I have to figure out finding URL to upload pictures I guess. Ugh!

That article is:
Oct 1969 Sports Car Graphics "The 10 Second Trip Story"