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Big-Inch Ford Small Block Engine Math Reference Guide

Big-Inch Ford Small Block Engine Math Reference Guide

When you’re building an engine, it’s nice to be armed with the facts necessary to do it successfully. Much of engine building is about math – machining dimensions, compression and rod ratios, bore sizes, stroke, journal diameters, carburetors, port sizes, dynamic balancing, and all the rest of it. Without math, you cannot successfully build an […]

Filed Under: Ford Engine Big-Block Rebuild, Ford Tech Tips

How to Rebuild Your Big-Block Ford Engine: Startup and Break-In Guide

How to Rebuild Your Big-Block Ford Engine:  Startup and Break-In Guide

Startup I highly recommend a pre-start-up checklist to avoid potentially costly oversights. Your list should include fluids(oil, fuel, and coolant), electrical and hose connections, belts, etc. Ensuring that you have ample oil supply and pressure prior to startup is a must, and I demonstrate two easy methods to achieve this in this chapter. And although it […]

Filed Under: Ford Engine Big-Block Rebuild, Ford Tech Tips

How to Install Your Big-Block Ford Engine Into Your Vehicle Step by Step

How to Install Your Big-Block Ford Engine Into Your Vehicle Step by Step

After many hours of difficult, dirty work and hard-earned dollars spent, you’ve almost reached the point where you can reap the rewards. The average manufacturer’s shop manual reads, “Reassemble in reverse order of disassembly,” or words to that effect. Well I’m here to tell you that it isn’t quite that simple. But with proper planning and […]

Filed Under: Ford Engine Big-Block Rebuild, Ford Tech Tips

Ford Big-Blocks: The Ultimate Cleveland 335 Series Engine Guide

Ford Big-Blocks: The Ultimate Cleveland 335 Series Engine Guide

While this chapter isn’t intended to cover a step-by-step rebuild of the 351-ci Cleveland, or 351C, I hope to provide some interesting insight into the history and unique features of this successful engine series. The engine featured here was undergoing a highperformance rebuild at Jordan Automotive Machine and belongs to Lee Lundberg of Mount Laurel, […]

Filed Under: Ford Engine Big-Block Rebuild, Ford Tech Tips

Ford Big-Blocks: The Ultimate FE Series 332-428 Engine Guide

Ford Big-Blocks: The Ultimate FE Series 332-428 Engine Guide

Ford introduced the FE (Ford- Edsel) engine series, which had been developed in the mid 1950s, in 1958. While the new engine differed greatly from its predecessor, the 239- to 312-ci Y-Block, the FE featured a similar style deep-skirted cylinder block. In fact, the FE block extends 25⁄8-inches below the crankshaft centerline. This added rigidity […]

Filed Under: Ford Engine Big-Block Rebuild, Ford Tech Tips

How to Install the Intake Manifold in Your Ford Big-Block Ford Engine Rebuild

How to Install the Intake Manifold in Your Ford Big-Block Ford Engine Rebuild

Step-1: Use Gasket Sealer I prefer to use a coating of gasket sealer around the water passages in the cylinder heads before installing the intake manifold gaskets. This helps avoid possible leaks.     This Tech Tip is From the Full Book, HOW TO REBUILD BIG-BLOCK FORD ENGINES. For a comprehensive guide on this entire […]

Filed Under: Ford Engine Big-Block Rebuild, Ford Tech Tips

How to Install the Timining Chain and Gears in Your Big-Block Ford Engine

How to Install the Timining Chain and Gears in Your Big-Block Ford Engine

Timing Chain and Gears Step by Step Step-1: Smooth it Out Smooth the snout of the crank with emery cloth and run a tap down the threads before installing the crankshaft gear. This will ensure smooth assembly and an accurate torque reading.   This Tech Tip is From the Full Book, HOW TO REBUILD BIG-BLOCK […]

Filed Under: Ford Engine Big-Block Rebuild, Ford Tech Tips

Ford Big Block: Step by Step Rod and Piston Installation Guide

Ford Big Block: Step by Step Rod and Piston Installation Guide

Piston Rings   Step-1: Inspect New Rings When you open your piston ring box, note that it’s compartmentalized and marked as to which are the top and second groove rings. In this case, the top rings are Chrome-Moly and have a bright finish on their faces, while the second rings are iron and dull in […]

Filed Under: Ford Engine Big-Block Rebuild, Ford Tech Tips

How to Install the Camshaft in Your Ford Big Block Engine

How to Install the Camshaft in Your Ford Big Block Engine

Step-1: Lubricate Camshaft and Accessories First and foremost, make sure that the camshaft and cam bearings are clean and free of any burrs. If you’re using an aftermarket camshaft as we are here, lubricate the camshaft journals, distributor drive gear, and lobes liberally with the break-in lube provided by the manufacturer. If you intend to […]

Filed Under: Ford Engine Big-Block Rebuild, Ford Tech Tips

How to Prepare Your Big-Block Ford Engine for Assembly

How to Prepare Your Big-Block Ford Engine for Assembly

At this point, all the cleaning, inspection, machining, parts choosing, and painting are out of the way. It’s time to get down to the nuts and bolts (please pardon the pun) of your engine rebuild. Since this portion of your project is the one that will determine its success or failure, it makes perfect sense […]

Filed Under: Ford Engine Big-Block Rebuild, Ford Tech Tips

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The Ultimate Ford Transmission Torque Converters Guide

The Ultimate Ford Transmission Torque Converters Guide

Torque converters are probably the most misunderstood component in an automatic transmission, yet they’re the simplest in both theory and function. Think of a torque converter like a water wheel in an old saw mill: the waterwheel is driven by fluid … [Click here to read more...]

Mustang Engine Swap Guide

Mustang Engine Swap Guide

In this chapter I cover the common engine swaps for first-generation Mustangs that increase performance potential. My philosophy is “There’s no replacement for displacement” when it comes to increasing performance, but the key is how you get it. I … [Click here to read more...]

How to Install Ford C4 and C6 Transmissions: Step by Step

How to Install Ford C4 and C6 Transmissions: Step by Step

Although I focus great attention on how a transmission is built, installation and proper adjustment after the unit is installed are just as important to durability and longevity. To get longevity and durability, a transmission must be properly … [Click here to read more...]

How to Disassemble Ford 4.6L & 5.4L Engines – Step-by-Step

How to Disassemble Ford 4.6L & 5.4L Engines – Step-by-Step

Because the Modular V-8 has so many different applications, it is impossible to detail all the removal and installation specifics here. However, I can touch on what you can expect across a broad range of Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury applications. Gone … [Click here to read more...]

How to Build a 500 Horsepower Ford 351 Cleveland Engine

How to Build a 500 Horsepower Ford 351 Cleveland Engine

There are two Cleveland engine builds for you here: one from Trick Flow Specialties and another from Hot Rod magazine contributor Jeff Huneycutt of www.horsepowermonster.com. Each of these builds shows what can be done with both the 351C and 400 … [Click here to read more...]

How to Assembly Ford 4.6L & 5.4L Engines – Step-by-Step

How to Assembly Ford 4.6L & 5.4L Engines – Step-by-Step

Once you have disassembled the engine, selected the best parts, and finished the machine work, it may seem as if the toughest part of a rebuild is over, but it isn’t. As with every other aspect of a Modular engine rebuild, the assembly is challenging … [Click here to read more...]

Ford Small-Block Rebuild: Torque Specs, Sequences, and Alignment

Ford Small-Block Rebuild: Torque Specs, Sequences, and Alignment

Cylinder Numbers and Firing Order / Torque Sequences This Tech Tip is From the Full Book, HOW TO REBUILD THE SMALL-BLOCK FORD. For a comprehensive guide on this entire subject you can visit this link: LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK … [Click here to read more...]

Ford FE Engines:  The Complete History

Ford FE Engines: The Complete History

The FE Ford engine was released into production in 1958. The earliest applications included use in the short-lived Edsel program. The FE was not a replacement for the Y-block; it was a larger companion to an engine family sharing some design … [Click here to read more...]

Ford FE Engine Intake Manifolds: The Ultimate Guide

Ford FE Engine Intake Manifolds: The Ultimate Guide

Ford FE intake manifolds are unique to this engine family, and instantly recognizable when compared to any other engine’s parts. One third of the valve cover extends over the intake casting, and the pushrods run through cast or machined passages in … [Click here to read more...]

Ford Cylinder Heads and Valvetrain Interchange: Small-Block

Ford Cylinder Heads and Valvetrain Interchange: Small-Block

Few things determine an engine’s personality more than cylinder heads, camshafts, and rocker arms. Ford V-8s have always struggled to make power because they’ve always been limited by factory cylinder head design. Port size on small-block Fords has … [Click here to read more...]

Ford C4 and C6 Transmission Trouble Shooting Guide

Ford C4 and C6 Transmission Trouble Shooting Guide

It’s good to have a source to guide you when you’re struggling with troublesome transmission function. You can be methodical and cover all the bases during a rebuild and still things can go wrong. This is where a step-by-step approach to the problem … [Click here to read more...]

Ford Axle History and Identification: Ford Differentials

Ford Axle History and Identification: Ford Differentials

Before you embark on the rebuild and start scouring local scrap yards and online websites, it will be helpful to understand what to look for and what to avoid in these axles. First, you need to understand some fundamentals of the Ford axles to help … [Click here to read more...]

Ford AODE/4R70W Guide: Calibration, Building, Troubleshooting

Ford AODE/4R70W Guide: Calibration, Building, Troubleshooting

Ford’s AOD evolved into a highly successful mechanically modulated transmission from its 1980 introduction until production ended in 1991. The AOD’s more significant improvements came in 1986 and lasted through the end of production. Ford developed … [Click here to read more...]

Ford AOD Transmission Installation and Swapping Guide

Ford AOD Transmission Installation and Swapping Guide

Although transmission installation and adjustment appears straight-forward, you should take an orderly, methodical approach to ensure success. You’re either swapping in an AOD, AODE, or 4R70W, or you’re removing and reinstalling one. Size up the job … [Click here to read more...]

Ford 9 Inch Differential Guide: Third-Member Assembly

Ford 9 Inch Differential Guide: Third-Member Assembly

This is where you combine the assembled differential with the gear case and hypoid gears. Plus, you also add the necessary bearings, seals, and shims. You can purchase individual pieces or a complete kit that includes everything that you … [Click here to read more...]

Ford 351 Cleveland Engines: Block Identification Guide

Ford 351 Cleveland Engines: Block Identification Guide

There has always been some confusion when it comes to Cleveland block identification. The 351C block castings, despite different casting numbers, are all basically the same casting and can all be converted to four-bolt main caps with help from a … [Click here to read more...]

Ford 351 Cleveland Engine Ignition Guide: Timing

Ford 351 Cleveland Engine Ignition Guide: Timing

Adjusting ignition timing must be performed with a timing light with an accurate harmonic balancer. Be sure your harmonic balancer has its timing marks properly indexed. You’d be surprised how many times you get it wrong using a worn-out balancer or … [Click here to read more...]

4.6L & 5.4L Ford Rebuild Cheat Sheet: Selecting Parts

4.6L & 5.4L Ford Rebuild Cheat Sheet: Selecting Parts

Parts selection is one of the most important elements of engine building because all parts must operate in concert with one another. Never has this been more crucial than with Ford’s Modular V-8 because of the many variations produced since 1991. You … [Click here to read more...]

4.6L & 5.4L Ford Rebuild Cheat Sheet: Before You Begin

4.6L & 5.4L Ford Rebuild Cheat Sheet: Before You Begin

When Ford introduced the 4.6L single overhead cam (SOHC) “Modular” V-8 in 1991 in the Lincoln Town Car, it took Ford enthusiasts by surprise because it was unlike any other Ford V-8 ever made. It wasn’t like the classic FE-Series 427 SOHC V-8 that … [Click here to read more...]

351 Cleveland Cylinder Heads Guide: Factory Iron Heads

351 Cleveland Cylinder Heads Guide: Factory Iron Heads

Although there’s some confusion over Cleveland cylinder heads, the 335-series engine family has the easiest line-up of Ford cylinder heads to understand. • 351C-4V closed wedge chamber (bolt-fulcrum rockers) 351C-4V closed wedge chamber, … [Click here to read more...]

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