Dr L-88

Back in the late 60's through the mid 70's, the Can Am (Canadian American) series became what some believe was the pinnacle of American motorsports. The series had some of the wildest and fastest cars ever assembled by mankind.

I'm searching for information regarding the casting numbers of GM's aluminum big block engines that were created specifically for the Can Am series, and were the predecessor for the ZL-1 engines. I have a couple of these blocks and the casting numbers are 0-321270 (a Reynolds prototype block cast in 1968) and 3992040, a Winters foundry block cast in 1971 and taken from a Mclaren race car.

Now I'm faced with an opportunity to purchase an NOS Reynolds aluminum big block, casting #627273...................which I've never seen or even heard of. I know there are about 4 or maybe 5 variations of the Reynolds and GM aluminum big blocks, but this number (627273) is totally new for me. Has anyone heard of this number block, and if so, what are the details of it?

Thanks,
Rex

restoman1

Rex, post your question over on the camaros.org site under the TRANS-AM CAMAROS forum. There are a LOT of ex racers that frequent the site and they may be able to help.

Ed

Dr L-88

Thanks Ed............................just posted there. We'll see what happens, but maybe some of the old timers here will chime in too.

redvetracr

I have to access facebook through someone else`s page but there is a facebook page devoted to the Can-Am series...this link may or may not work.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/56758403015/

Mike Ward

Funny how Google can not find even one entry with that casting number in it (?)

I'm always suspicious of casting numbers with 3, 6 or 8 in them. Each character can easily look like one of the others. It also seems one digit short to be a GM number of the era. Have you got a pic?

Dr L-88

Thanks Howard. Neat link. Maybe these guys will know something.

Kacyc3

Might wanna check out http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...percar_Reunion, they might have resources we dont know about

v2racing

I was at Indy in the 71 and again for qualifying in the late 70's. The cars were really different from each other. You'd see anything from turbo 4 cylinders to a NA Big Block Chevy in the cars. The cars all had character as did the people in the teams. It was really interesting back then. Now if wasn't for the paint and stickers, you couldn't tell one car from another. NASCAR is pretty much the same.

I'm glad I was around in the 60"s and 70"s. We'll never see a time like that in cars or racing again!

7t9l82

i think thats why more kids aren't into racing more than they are. i look at N.H.R.A and most all pro category racers are check writers. pro-stock guys lease their engines and aren't allowed to touch the engine, laughable.

Little Mouse

Drag racing was same way 60s/70s lots of way different cars a lot more classes run you got your moneys worth when you went as a spectator. They pushed the rails down the return road firing them up in front of the stands. Most of the pro racers showed up with a pickup, car loaded on its back or a trailer..Nobody even dreamed some corporation would give them 3 cars and 3 tractor trailer rigs to race with. Never been to a race since they went to 1000 ft. There have been 244 racers lost there lives at the isle of man motorcycle races. In one yr they had 3 killed in practice for the race 3 more killed in the race that yr. Look at Grand prix racers 60s/70s 1 out of every 3 were getting killed drivers got in there car knowing it. One drag racer killed they shut it down to 1,000 ft. They will never get a dime off me for 1000 ft racing. I don't even watch it on TV anymore a friend of mine e-mailed me force won 16th championship only reason I know it. But when the isle of man comes on I watch it every day and no i'm not hoping anyone gets killed.

7t9l82

drag racing is going as fast as quickly for a 1/4 mile as you can. if there is a safety concern address it , lengthen the track widen the track extend barricades. all national records have zero relevance , how do you relate them to each other.

69ttop502

Rex, I am a member of that Can Am forum. I will post the question there and see what happens.

Bill

roscobbc

Isle on Man is the ultimate 'holy grail' for all bike lovers (excluding chops perhaps) - living in the UK, being a biker in the mid/late 60's over here and seing the demise of the traditonal British bike it is amazing that Isle of Man TT's still exist. If this event was on the UK mainland all the health and safety and green assed do-gooders would have shut it down. The Isle of Man even though part of the UK has its own laws and government. Many people there depend on the races and tourists for financial survival.
Grand Prix. Every year I have great intentions of watching the series throught the year but sit down in front of the TV and 10 minutes later I'm asleep - much is the excitement - unlike of course, 50's and 60's Grand Prix.
With minimal sponsership in top end drag racing here in UK and Europe it more or less left to the wealthier racers. Lower classes are better fielded. With only two major dragstrips and possibly 2 or 3 part time strips, and no proper strips close to London or the south east it isn't easy for enthusiasts over here.

LS4 PILOT

My thoughts exactly. The stuff today is boring no matter how fast it goes.

I like the run what ya brung school.

Little Mouse

As a kid I only heard of the Isle of man but having it televised last couple yr's it makes regular motorcycle racing on tracks look like nothing. You make a mistake on it flying by house's, stone walls, trees, kiss your *** goodby.

Mike Ward

Talk about thread drift................

Dr L-88

LOL

roscobbc

Question for you tech guys - how good is an ally block after 30+ years - OK so corrosion from incorrect coolant mix will have taken its toll - what else?