TRACO Fans

[Jon Mello]

I went and looked the Engine thread, http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8046.0;all, and all the carbs that
are visible still have the choke horns on them. I would assume then that they didn't allow milling them off until later.

[Sixteen Grand Sedan #56]

A freshly completed Traco engine on the stand. The initials R. P. on the lid of the cross ram indicate it is for Roger Penske's Camaro team.

Definitely looks 1969 in my opinion. The heads have the mounting holes on the end for the accessories unlike the 68 and earlier years.

The pictures in the Motorcade magazine of my Guldstrand built 69 clearly show the Traco built 302 with the choke horns there. The car only made it to the final four races of the season.

My understanding was the choke horns were removed in 67-8 to better facilitate air flow because of the thinner air cleaner assemblies that were used prior to the Super Scoop/cowl hood availability.

[Jon Mello]

1968 CP&A article on Bartz and Traco. (Jon Mello Collection)

[musclecarmatt]

what kinda valve covers did traco run on the penske/chaparral camaros?

[Jon Mello]

I have seen the Penske Camaros use the Z28 finned aluminum valve covers and also the stock stamped steel valve covers painted Traco gray to match the rest of the engine. I think the stamped steel valve covers were used early in the season and the finned ones later on.

Jim Hall's Camaros used the Z28 finned aluminum valve covers. I've never seen photos of his engines running another type of valve cover although I guess its possible.

[musclecarmatt]

I have seen the Penske Camaros use the Z28 finned aluminum valve covers and also the stock stamped steel valve covers painted Traco gray to match the rest of the engine. I think the stamped steel valve covers were used early in the season and the finned ones later on.

Jim Hall's Camaros used the Z28 finned aluminum valve covers. I've never seen photos of his engines running another type of valve cover although I guess its possible.

cool deal!......what color is TRACO grey?....is there any high temp paint out there that resembles it?

[Jon Mello]

The photo below, from the Tra-Co Engines website, shows the gray color.
I have never painted an engine that color and don't have a suggestion for
an off-the-shelf paint can to use but it shouldn't be hard to find something
suitable.

[vtfb68]

They were in the Navy, Battleship grey I always assumed.
  VT

[musclecarmatt]

The photo below, from the Tra-Co Engines website, shows the gray color.
I have never painted an engine that color and don't have a suggestion for
an off-the-shelf paint can to use but it shouldn't be hard to find something
suitable.

it almost resembles a white greyish...lookin at different colors...

[MO]

I bet Pigpen knows!

[vtfb68]

Another question for Pigpen or Jon or anybody. What was the differance between the pre '67 5 liter Can-Am engine and the 302 TA engine? Vince Piggins has always been credited for brainstorming the 327 bore with the 283 stroke to create the 302 in late '66, It seems TRACO was already making these engines at that time.
   Victor

[Jon Mello]

There probably would not have been a whole lot of difference between a '67 302 Trans-Am Chevy engine and any earlier 302/5-liter used in a Can-Am/USRRC car other than the manifold and induction set-up. Vince Piggins did not brainstorm that bore/stroke combination and I don't recall it ever being written in those kinds of terms. It was a combination that was well known by Chevy drag racers for many years prior to the '67 Z-28. Going back to the old 283 blocks, you could actually bore them out .125" over to get to a full 4-inch bore and racers were happy to have the extra cubic inches. Vince had long known of that bore/stroke combination and recommended it to Pete Estes because that would put them just under the 5-liter limit of the Trans-Am class and give them a cubic inch advantage over the competition which were only offering 289s and 273s at the time.

[vtfb68]

Jon,
 Thank's for the reply.
    VT

[Jon Mello]

You're welcome, VT.

[69Z28-RS]

... It was a combination that was well known by Chevy drag racers for many years prior to the '67 Z-28. Going back to the old 283 blocks, you could actually bore them out .125" over to get to a full 4-inch bore and racers were happy to have the extra cubic inches. Vince had long known of that bore/stroke combination and recommended it to Pete Estes because that would put them just under the 5-liter limit of the Trans-Am class and give them a cubic inch advantage over the competition which were only offering 289s and 273s at the time.

back then.... we called those bored 283 engines '301' ci..   the actual displacement is 301.xx something.  Chevy rounded it up to 302.  A friend had one in a 51 Henry J when I was in school!   it was said among the racers that use of a 59 'Canadian block 283 had a bit more metal to allow the 1/8"  overbore without getting too close to the water jackets, but I have no idea if that was true or not..     Anyone else ever heard that logic?
Chevy's use of the 327 block and 283 crank gave them an engine closely under the 5 liter limit, and use of the 327 block allowed them to slightly enlarge it to hit the 5 L mark on the head, and have a bit more metal around the water jackets than the old 301 engines.   But to be sure, 302, 302, or 305, they all rev and run like a scared rabbit.. 

Gary / 69Z28-RS