Thread: Engine Building

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Does anyone out there know of any good engine building books for big block Chevy's? I see that Summit carries some and a few other books I saw as well. I wan't something on the basic engine building and tips and all. There are a few things I forgot on what to do when buiding an engine like when I was reading through my mag today it was saying on the head bolts to turn them after torqued another 95 degree's and a few other things.
Thanks for any help.


Shawn-

Alright thanks Streets. I have to go to Advanced next week for a hot rod meet anyways so I will stop in and look. What about ARP bolts and all, ever use them? I am going to try and find me a engine here really soon (big block) and I wan't a used one so I will tear it down and use all new bolts, con rods, pistons, etc. I am getting a free 12ton hydraulic press, engine stand and engine picker from my stepmothers stepdad so now I don't have to worry about spending money on that and use that money on a engine.

ARPs are reccomended for use in the 350 diesel, so they should be able to do the job you need.

I got a book from Borders called, "How to rebuild Chevy Big Blocks." There was a whole section on that kind of stuff, I think in the "hobbies" section or the "automotive" section or something like that.
I am just starting out with this kind of work so I got it about a year ago and read it cover to cover. It was pretty good, plus it had all kinds of casting number charts for heads and blocks and cranks so if you get your engine from a junkyard or something you can figure out exactly what you've got.
You should check out their selection, something will probably fit what you want.

FMX,

"How to Rebuild Big-Block Chevy Engines" by Tom Wilson. Excellent book for $12.00 and change. Search for it on Amazon. This book has most of the basic details you need to know, including torque settings and casting numbers for most of the big blocks out there. However, it doesn't deal much with aftermarket parts. It's a good primier, though.

"How to Build Max Performance Chevy Rat Motors: Hot Rodding Big Block Chevys `90s Style" by Ed Staffel, John Baechtel

If you're replacing bolts on your engine, about all you need to replace are the head, main bearing and rod bolts. The rocker studs are a good idea also. Those are the high stress locations. You can use the stockers for the rest. Oh, and you don't have to buy new rods, depending on what comes in the engine. If they're good rods, a shop can recondition them for you. Don't throw them out without checking. Same with the crank.

Ok thanks a lot guy's. Yeah either way I think I would have just replaced all the bolts anyways. If I get a used engine then I am hoping I won't have to change out the crank or nothing just a piston rebuild kit, new heads, carb and all the electronics like starter, etc. As soon as I put my floors in my car and my rocker panels then I am going to set the body on the frame, get my engine set the ride height, etc then take the body back off and tub it out and work on the engine. Right now I am just trying to get the floors done and the chassis done front to back. I need to find out what I will do with my steering box. Any ideas on how I can tell if my steering box is still good? I will probably buy everything new for the steering besides the box since the guy said it's still good but the column, etc is rusted and really old and I am hoping everything will clear with a big block. Also to answer Techinspectors question, I will have the master cylinder under the car on the chassis since there are the mounting holes there already, I just need to see if there are brackets you hook up to those holes or what. Also if I do that then any idea where the booster goes? I have been reading my auto tech book from school on the steering and brakes but it just basically says things on what the parts are and how they work. Sorry for so many questions and all but I need to figure this out so I can start buying my brakes and all and I don't wan't to buy the wrong things here.
I will go to borders and look at the books you guy's mentioned and check them out and see how I like them and then either buy them their or look on the net for a cheaper price.

Thanks again!

Alright, thanks. I have been looking for a brake kit for the 79 Z28 front end but haven't found the right one yet. Wilwood has a whole kit but it's like over 1600 when I emailed them and asked so I told them nevermind it's too much. All I have to my brakes is front rotors that probably aren't even any good so I need everything besides spindles.