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 […]
How to Choose Heads for Your Small-Block Ford Rebuild
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 […]
Building Small-Block Fords: Why Engines Wear Out
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 […]
How to Rebuild Your Small-Block Ford: Tool Guide
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 […]
Planning Your Ford Small-Block Rebuild Project
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 […]
What You MUST Know Before Starting Your Small-Block Ford Rebuild
Rebuilding an engine can be a very rewarding experience. It’s a golden opportunity to start anew, with fresh components and perfectly machined surfaces married together in blissful harmony. When you build an engine, you become familiar with what the engine is. There is no wondering here—you know exactly what you have under the hood. You […]
Ultimate Brake Guide for Restoring Your Mustang
The braking system is one of the most critical areas of vehicle performance regardless of the level of restoration. The car must have a properly operating brake system for safety and performance. The standard braking systems that came with early Mustangs were able to stop the cars, if only just adequately by today’s standards. Few […]
Ultimate Bodywork Guide for Restoring Your Mustang
The quality of the bodywork is a telltale sign of the quality of the restoration. Regardless of what level of restoration you undertake, you want to achieve professional results. The body needs to resemble the original bodywork, and be free of rust, dents, and damage for years of faithful service. Beyond components such as moldings […]
How to Start a Mustang Restoration Project – Step by Step
In Chapter 1, I provided some advice on how to better define the type of restoration project you intend to pursue and what type of vehicle might be best suited for it. I also gave some tips on where to look for a vehicle and things to avoid. And I covered some resources you can […]
How to Choose a Mustang Restoration Project – Step by Step
The process of restoring a car is much like most other things in life. You need to know where you are going and how to get there. Therefore you need to make a plan and stick to it as much as possible, to avoid extra expense and a less-than-satisfying result. Still, it’s almost never possible […]