Real Yenko 427????

[OIF1VET]

Figured I'd let the guru's here examine this listing...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_642wt_1165

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

Is it a Yenko block?

Yes.

But this is part of Yenko's aftermarket series that they built themselves starting in late '74/early '75 specifically for racing (SCCA, Can Am, boats, whatever) and sold over the counter.

As the story goes, Yenko kept badgering GM about continuing supply of the aluminum blocks, but GM refused (possibly due to the upcoming emissions requirements in '75, of which this engine combo had zero chance of certifying under, or possibly because GM had moved on to the 454 LS7s). But on August 1st, 1974, GM granted permission to Yenko to have them cast at Winters Foundary (thank you, interweb ), and those did have the embossed "Yenko" into the block (the real GM blocks would have no such designation).

Only Yenko knows exactly how many they made, but there is allegedly known records of batches of 25 blocks ordered at a time from Winters and this was ongoing, starting sometime in '75 all the way through '87.

So is it rare?

Yes...probably only a couple hundred made.

But they were never put into a Yenko Camaro or Chevelle originally...maybe somebody managed to get one installed as a replacement block...would be kind of a neat novelty item to have.

But not for $50K...anybody restoring a real Yenko Camaro will just find a much more plentiful, and correct, GM aluminum block with the right date code and just have it restamped to what they need...

[2002Z4CSS]

I never seen a Yenko block before. Pretty cool engine but a lot of cash.

[tenpin842]

thanks Jeff!

Awesome motor for sure! Large price tag though.
I'd love to have that in my TA!!

[OIF1VET]

As always, Great info Jeff.. Thanks!

[Gottork]

ty jeff!!!

[RcamaroS]

How do you know that Jeff? Did you look it up of just know it?

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

How do you know that Jeff? Did you look it up of just know it?

A little of both...

I remembered an article that I had read in one of the 4 billion car mags in the basement about the aftermarket Yenko blocks from the '70s some years ago...did a little Googling for confirmation, and found this thread on the Team Chevelle forum that gave the Winters Foundry info...

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204263

[RcamaroS]

oh i was just wondering cause that would be awesome if you or someone remembered everything like that

[OIF1VET]

Jeff is one of our resident experts on everything car related....

[RcamaroS]

I see. Alot of information

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

oh i was just wondering cause that would be awesome if you or someone remembered everything like that

No, my memory used to be very good 20 years ago, but as my darling wife continually points out to me, it is starting to slip a bit from what it was...so, now I need to thank the interweb at times...

[RcamaroS]

hahaha its understandable. Thats where i get all my info