The exhaust system begins at the manifold and header and determines your engine’s personality at the tail-pipe. Chances are good that if you’re reading this book you’re also interested in performance. Because this is an “interchange” book, the focus here is on stock to mildly modified exhaust parts and installation.   This Tech Tip is […]

The small-block Ford’s ignition, charging, and starting systems evolved considerably between 1962 and 2001. The greatest engineering achievements in these areas were Duraspark electronic ignition and the solid-state charging systems in the 1970s and 1980s. These high-tech wonders can be adapted to vintage Ford electrical systems. Later, starters evolved from conventional direct-drive units to reduction-gear […]

The small-block Ford’s 39-year production life included a broad array of induction systems ranging from the humble 2-barrel carburetor, to high-performance Holleys, to throttle body and port electronic fuel injection systems. What your small-block Ford calls for depends on when it was produced and what type of Ford, Mercury, or Lincoln it powers.   This […]

Engine technology has come a long way since the small-block Ford V-8 was introduced in 1962. When Ford was developing the 221/260 small-blocks at the beginning of the 1960s, there was no such thing as a small-block or a big-block. These were just V-8 engines, much as the Chevrolet 265 and 283 were. The Chevy […]

Ford small-block V-8s have always had a difficult time making power because they’ve always been limited by factory cylinder head port design issues. Small-block Ford intake and exhaust ports are too restrictive. By contrast, the 351C/351M/400 intake ports are too large with restrictive exhaust ports. Ports that are too large can reduce power as much […]

The small-block Ford’s lubrication system is consistent across four decades of continuous production with the exception of the 335-series 351C/351M/400 engine family, which is architecturally different than the 221/260/289/302 and 351W. Because lubrication is the lifeblood of any engine, it must be a foolproof system that keeps oil flowing under all conditions. Your main objective […]

The 1962–1963 221-ci and 1962–1964 260-ci engines employ five-bolt bellhousing blocks with a bore of either 3.500 (221) or 3.800 (260) inches. Casting numbers are C2OE, C3OE, or C4OE. The location of these casting numbers depends on the block. In 1962, block casting numbers were cast into the rear lifter valley rail on top. In […]

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 […]