When you are about to fire a new engine, there are important considerations you must be attentive to first. For the break-in period, it’s a good idea to use Castrol conventional SAE 30 oil – save the synthetic for after the engine is broken in. Although a good many of us never do this, you […]

With our short-block buttoned up and ready for combustion, it’s time to approach the cylinder head and induction system. While this may seem like a simple segment of engine assembly, it’s so easy to screw it up. All deck surfaces must be clean and free of imperfections. It’s a good idea to do a dry […]

Step by Step Ford Small-Block Rebuild Guide: Assemble the Short Block   Step-01: Inspect the Block Last-minute detailing is done on the block mating surfaces. A razor blade is used to debunk deck surfaces contaminated with paint and rust. Close inspection of the coolant and oil passages is good measure prior to assembly.   This […]

Step by Step: Machining the Block   Step-1: Clean the Block Our 289 block is fresh from cleaning, ready for machine work. Jim Grubbs Motorsports has a high-tech cleaning process that is environmentally responsible. Look at the result. It looks like a new old-stock block fresh from its original shipping container.       This Tech […]

The camshaft and valvetrain directly determine not only an engine’s personality, but also how reliably an engine will perform throughout its service life. When it comes to camshafts, there are probably more misconceptions than there are facts. We’re here to dissolve most of the myths and get you headed in the right direction on your […]

Ford utilized surprisingly few crankshaft types in its small-block engines. The 221-, 260-, and 289-ci engines all used the same cast-iron crankshaft, making this crank widely available for three different displacements. This crankshaft is identified with a “1M” in the front  journal area. While it’s easy to assume the 289 High Performance engine had the […]

Outside of the five-to-six-bolt bellhousing pattern change for 1965, the next most significant change for the small-block Ford is valvetrain and valve covers in 1966. On May 8, 1966, Ford went to a rail-style rocker arm on the small-block Ford. Instead of a pushrod guide hole cast into the cylinder head, the rail-style rocker arm […]

Automobile engines have a tough job to do. For the most part, they do it well for many years and thousands of miles reliably. Trouble abounds when we don’t take care of them, or when we put them together improperly. When we do take good care of them, engines can last between 100,000 and 200,000 […]

When you’re building engines, it is easy to become overwhelmed with tool and equipment issues. It’s also easy to go crazy with the credit card. That first trip to Sears or Harbor Freight is often like that first trip to the speed shop. You lay down the plastic and come home with a lot of […]

Engine planning begins with knowing the path you intend to take. We’ve already discussed crate engines and kits. Now, we want to address planning and building an engine from scratch. This road is usually for the more experienced engine builder, but you didn’t buy this book to take the easy way out. There are two […]