KyleDallas

"Duntov’s high-performance team developed intriguing variations on the small-block theme, experimenting with both hemispherical cylinder heads and overhead cams. A 327 ci prototype with single overhead cam heads produced 509 hp, and a 377 ci pushrod hemi produced 532 hp. None of Duntov’s exotic small-blocks reached production, but they stoked the fires of performance at Chevrolet R&D."

From GM media site.. Corvette, Powertrain, and Racing History...a nice read


link:
http://media.gm.com/division/gmracin.../chevalms.html

KyleDallas

November 30,1963

* Three Corvette Grand Sports painted Cadillac blue with 550-bhp aluminum 377-ci engines arrive in Nassau, Bahamas. [1] [5.88] [104.151] [454.91] [534.45] [580.176] (late December [3.52] [42.47])


December 6, 1963

* At the International Bahamas Speed Week races in Nassau, the 112-mile Governor's Trophy race is held.
o Finishing 1st in prototype class and 3rd overall is the #50 Grand Sport #003, driven by Roger Penske.
o Finishing 2nd in prototype class and 4th overall is the #65 Grand Sport #004, driven by Augie Pabst.
o Finishing 3rd in prototype class and 6th overall is the Grand Sport #005, driven by Richard Thompson, despite a blown engine.
The highest finishing Cobra is eighth. [5.88] [106.8] [133.94] [152.35] [260.48] [332.87] [337.66] [423] [454.91] [564.57] [580.177] [704.21] (Thompson is fifth overall [5.88])


1,2,3 in the Bahamas with 377 Grand Sports...

Jim Dillon

Kyle, always good to read the "good" stuff on the early Vettes. I suppose I am one of those guys that think the go-fast stuff is what made the marque. The exhibition at Nassau at least showed what the Gran Sport as designed could do. Too bad the suits had to ruin the party. I would have liked to see some of the exotic stuff hit the track but I believe what Chevrolet put on the track is nothing to be ashamed of anyway. No other American manufacturer can lay claim to as many victories in all of the various motorsport venues. I would hazard a guess that between the SBC and BBC together they powered more racecars to victories than all of the other manufacturers combined. But then again I have never been one to sell the Corvette short-quite the contrary-Jim

KyleDallas

I knew nothing about the Single Overhead Cam 327... first I've
heard of it... very cool...

67L36Driver

I think I recall a front cover of Hot Rod in the mid '60s had Zora standing amongst a collection of Chevrolet Motor Division engineering efforts.

Most likely got melted down into a new Toyota.

Okay, sitting. Memory ain't too bad for an old geezer.

K2

Here's the cover December 67 Hot Rod. Incidentally the SOHC 327 was a 3 valve head arrangement.

JoesC5

In 1956, the base engine was a 265 ci at 210 Hp and the optional engine was a dual four 225 HP. When Zora developed his high lift cam, the engine was rated at 240 HP. In order to run 150 MPH to set the speed record, Zora calculated that it would take 295 HP, so he built a ringer to run at Daytona Beach. It was a 307 ci engine (265 ci with a 1/4" stroker and pop up pistons). Of course, GM didn't tell the Press that the car wasn't a stock 1956 Corvette that had a engine that wasn't available to the public.

KyleDallas

The 327 SOHC I would guess would be on the bottom left... the extended
covers on the front of the engine I would venture to say are housing
a chain, belt, or gear driven pieces that transfer motion to the cams
in the heads.

Ford's 427 SOHC was set up in a similar fashion... it was chain driven
Ford's SOHC arangement could be bolted up to a standard block ...
Dove Manufacturing was making Ford 427 SOHC heads and kits in the
Late 1980's that could be applied to standard FE blocks.

67L36Driver

I'll venture that none of those would fit under the hood or between the fenders of 'Old Blue'.

Pickup truck??????....................maybe.... ............................

KyleDallas

Either of the front two small blocks would go in... you might have
to mod or change intakes-but tastefully done I'd bet a nice look could be achieved.. either with a Stinger or GS hood.. Grand Sports used side draft Webers .. and if memory serves, had a lower clearance profile than
the engines on the cover here.

The Back two motors I'd venture were built for the Big Block Wars
that went on in NASCAR in the 60's.... Kicked off in 1963 by Junior
Johnson's dominance and National Title with the 1st Gen Big Block GM Mystery Motor....
Mopar countered in 1964 with the 426 Hemi... took the entire podium
at Daytona ... 1,2,3..... Ford came to the table with the 427 SOHC
and the Boss 429....
The 2 GM Hemi's in the background were probably a response
to the Hemi, Cammer, and Boss 429...
Bill France of NASCAR put an end to the situation by outlawing
the Cammer... sending the manufacturers away from that direction.

The rear engines, if indeed spec'd for NASCAR, would have needed
to fit in an Impala... I've seen 427 SOHC cammers installed in
Fairlanes..

LouieM

That magazine cover is to riveting that it fascinated me back than and I remember it to this day

hookedup

If I had any one of those I wouldn't want a hood on the car!

Dave

KyleDallas

A pic of the alluminum GS racing engine..