Maybe a little OT since its a big block, but Im hoping there are some current or ex racers out there who might have some insight. I ended up with this Chevy Big block a few years back. I was told it was a 4 bolt main 454 short block, but when it got here I knew it was something different. It looks like it was a seriously built drag engine at one time, 4 bolt mains w/ socket head bolts, bronze lined lifter bores, o-ringed deck surface, screens epoxied over all the oil drain holes, everything deburred etc. I looked in the box that came with the block and found Bill Miller aluminum rods and forged domed pistons. The more I looked, the more I realized this aint no factory block. There are 2 extra head bolts per side (in the lifter galley), no provision for motor mounts (or milled off), no provision on the rear main cap to mount an oil pump (dry or external wet sump), and freeze/core plugs epoxied in the lifter galley. The bore size is 4.6 and it appears to be a standard deck height block. Doing the math with a 4 (454) stroke = 531 cu.in. With a 3.76 (427) stroke it comes out to 499.9 cu. in. (Pro Stock??). The only markings I can find on the block are ZA 176 stamped in various locations. Local speed shop hasnt a clue to its origins, anyone have any ideas?
Looks like a DRCE 1 olds kb block will take all block chevy parts but need olds heads olds heads are 16 bolt
I had seen an actual Chevy block with the extra head bolt bosses (ZL-1 maybe), so I just assumed it took Chevy cylinder heads...Ill have to throw a head gasket on it and see.
Could it be a Pro Stock Block for the early 90's Symmetrical Port Heads (ones made famous by Grumpy Jenkins.) ?? I used to have a set. They required trick parts, however, were pretty cool. Either way. It's cool.
No boss for an oil pump. A dry sump motor means that this thing is something exotic. Any markings on the side of the block or maybe a gm part # ? Probably cost a lot to get this thing back together but I think it would be well worth it. Find a light car to put it in and hang on!!!!
No markings other than the ZA 176 marked on the block and on the main caps. A standard Bryant 3.76 stroke crank came with the other parts, Id like to assume that it is from this motor, but cant be sure. I also have an external wet sump oil pump to go with this setup, but the older I get, the more Im thinking that Id like to just use the Bryant crank for my 427 and sell off the rest. I hate it when reality sets in! I haven't matched the block deck to a BBC head gasket yet, but plan to do so in the next day or two.
I was gonna say DRCE also. It looks like the push rod area has been clearanced to run some exotic heads like Big Chief heads maybe.
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