I was reluctant to post this, simply because it probably will cause all kinds of consternation and discussion.
When I went to work for Duntov (yup, that Duntov), just after the Army, 1970, I saw two engines sitting in a corner at the storage room at Special Projects, both W engines, complete, all aluminum, even tghe stamped sheet aluminum valve covers. Both engines also had removeable top cross ram intakes on them, like the optional Z28 engines had, with the same design Holley's the Z engines used.
I asked about them, was told they were "old projects, obsolete and of no value".
I asked about their history. Both were evaluation engines, built close to the end of the W engine program, and just when the "Mistery Engine" project was in its infancy, Mark 3 series 427. I took that to mean that if the Mystery Engine program failed, they'd have had a backup for NASCAR and other racing venues that had classes for large engine'd vehicles.
One had a Z11 crankshaft (3.625 stroke), the other a crank out of a 427 big block (3.760 stroke), for increased engine displacement. One, the short stroke'r, had been tested at the special projects facility, then shipped to one Smokey Yunick for further evaluation against the then top secret Mark III. Smokey returned it to Special Projects in 1968, on their request. The larger stroke engine had its oil pan off, and the block was studded, 4 bolt mains, all 5 journals, from what I can remember.
Mark III won.
These pieces were cast at Reynolds Aluminum, from Alcoa base alloys, as were all the Can-Am 444 and 496 linerless engines and some few ultra top secret special projects parts/blocks/heads were, and NOT at Winters Foundary. None of the parts I saw on these engines had a Winters "Starburst" ident on them.
No, I don't know where they are now, but knowing GM, could be either still in that corner, or melted down into parts for a Citation or Chevette. If they aren't at the Special Projects facility now, I'd figure there'd be nobody left that knows anything about them anymore. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have asked for them.
I'm not surprized at the response from the Yunick people, ever wonder how many nose pickers get in touch with them every year, wanting this or that, or just info? LOTS. They are fairly private people and this is a hassle for them, and they are the money people of Smokey's family, not like he was.
Last time I saw Smokey in person was at Daytona, 1994, motorcycle speed week. He was walking along behind the garages, and I asked him who he was looking for. He told me he needed to find Merrill VanDerSlice, AMA Competition Manager, another pal of mine. So...he and I went to see Merrill, in the AMA garage two doors down from ours. A bunch of magazine editors whom didn't believe I knew Smokey about had heart attacks.
After he was done at Merrill's office, he came to our garage, hung out all day, asked about the then new Harley VR1000's. I said nobody gets into their garage, next door to us, in between Merrill and us, but I'd ask one of the people whom worked on the Harley's. Craig Fullmer let us both in and we stayed about an hour in the Harley garage, the only two non-Harley people to ever see the insdies of the engines and the bikes up close and personal.
The next day, Merrill, Smokey and I walked down the pit road to the end and watched the bikes charge into turn 1 full speed, and encountered the same editors of the previous day, sitting along the pit wall as we walked by. Trouble, more heart attacks. One comment was, "I wonder if Smokey had to pay to get in here?". My response was, "I don't think so, he's probably had keys to the whole joint for years".
I have known Smokey and most of his family since 1972. Smokey Yunick was a real live natural genius, all around solid platinum person and a super good friend to me. I really miss his presence, and his friendship.
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NUT
