I get into detailed discussions on a semi regular basis that concern a great many different factors in what it takes to build an engine correctly and have it built so it will be durable.
anyone with a bit of ability to use logic has to conclude that if theres been businesses based on rebuilding engines for over 100 years that the people doing that job have over time learned a good deal about what works and what won,t, and they should also be well aware that theres a good many written resources that are well worth reading through, to glean the tips and details they contain.
the fact is this engine building remains mostly well understood and known science, a teachable skill,
(for anyone willing to learn what works with a bit of RESEARCH)
and a bit of skilled ART , but the biggest and most common, and unfortunately repeated, mistake I've seen made, is guys who fail to ask questions,when they run into areas where they are not dead certain of what needs to be done, and fail to stop and ask questions, understand both the answers and WHY things, MUST be done a certain way for best results!
what seems to be over-looked in many engine builds is simply the fact you'll almost always DEEPLY regret jumping into the engine build with both feet and waving your check book as you sink ever deeper into piles of parts receipts and machine shop bills, rather than stepping back with a legal pad, and a calculator and listing in minute detail exactly what you want to accomplish, and taking the time and effort too list and check out in detail what each machine shop procedure costs, why its required and how much each components costs, what your options are and how each component will add too or benefit the completed combo (or in some cases cause you time and grief)
stepping back and thinking things through in detail and listing the cost and potential problems and finding the solutions BEFORE you dive into the process may be a lot less fun, but in the long term its sure to cost less and result in a far better finished project!
yes you'll ALWAYS NEED to verify clearances carefully when assembling any engine and no, you can,t assume everything will fit just because its part of a component list thats suppose to fit correctly, simply because manufacturing is an imprecise process and mistake do get made occasionally!
if you build enough engines youll eventually see a strong relationship, between higher initial cost and that spending a bit more on heads and rotating assembly and valve train components tends to significantly reduce the problems and increase the engines long term durability.
of course you'll want to match the heads you select,
to the intended rpm/power range and application and match the cam timing, compression ratio, and drive train gearing, etc.
so lets discus the current car/truck weight, transmission, tire size, rear gear ratio and what your intended goals and budget limitations are, as a start point.
the last thing you'll want to do is select parts that may cripple or restrict the engine performance by mis-matching components or selecting parts on price alone, we all work on limited budgets,
but its will pay big dividends in power produced too carefully select matched components
and generally the biggest mistake is mis-matching heads, intake and cam combos or scrimping on the quality of the components used,
a couple extra hours or even days spent in detailed of research may prove critical, in fact anything less than buying and reading through several books and reading a couple dozen links and all the sub-links is very likely to leave you missing valuable and critical info youll need later, and thats usually going to cost you wasted time and cash.
the big mistake's most people make is in not selecting the correct cam, to match the displacement and compression and drive train gearing or selecting a restrictive cylinder head or intake that does not match the intended power range
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...hing-the-drive-train-to-the-engine-combo.741/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...electing-a-torque-converter-stall-speed.1715/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...late-gear-ratios-and-when-to-shift-calcs.555/
all it takes is a tiny bit of research and some math to calculate the ideal rear differential gearing, tires size etc. and transmission gear ratios, and you can certainly select the correct torque converter stall speed if you have a dyno graph of your engines power curve without much difficulty, an hour or so spent in reading and research will provide you with a great deal better performance from most cars.
and a couple days worth of research and doing some math on all of the power trains component parts will provide you with a wealth of info that can prevent you from making costly mistakes.
yes allthe linked info below looks over whelming but ,
youll be amazed at the detailed info and,
the mistakes you can avoid by reading carefully and asking detailed questions, thus saving money and time
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/sellecting-cylinder-heads.796/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/semi-fool-proof-cam-sellection.82/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/first-hotrod-build.12902/#post-67005
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ing-a-383-sbc-combo-planing.12168/#post-58778
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/bare-minimum-tools.11026/#post-48785
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/matching-parts-and-a-logical-plan.7722/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/what-to-look-for-in-a-good-engine-combo.9930/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/another-383-build.12786/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ads-tuned-intake-turbulence.12998/#post-67611
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/383-information-overload.11137/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/a-383-build.10991/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/impersonator.9600/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-springs-and-setting-up-the-valve-train.181/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/port-speeds-and-area.333/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/valve-seat-angles-and-air-flow.8460/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/tbucket-engine-project-dart-shp.3814/
RELATED INFO
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/block-prep.125/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...k-after-a-cam-lobe-rod-or-bearings-fail.2919/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...g-and-installing-connecting-rods-pistons.247/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...tion-of-crank-durring-short-blk-assembly.852/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/tips-on-building-a-383-sbc-stroker.428/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/stroker-tips-by-len-emanuelson.1249/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/parts-prep-cleaning.6255/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/precision-measuring-tools.1390/#post-52466
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/what-con-rods-would-you-buy.942/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ng-and-basic-piston-ring-info-youll-need.509/
IF you find you don,t remember how to do something,
or can,t remember the clearance required,
torque specs ,the best parts to be used,
the correct wire color,
or correct sealant or
any thing else,
STOP do a bit of research, and DON,T SCREW IT UP,
a bit of research beats making mistakes .
BECAUSE AVOIDING MISTAKES generally costs a great deal less time and money!
A COUPLE HOURS READING CAN RESULT IN PREVENTING WEEKS OF WASTED WORK AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SAVED!
DON,T GUESS!
get the required info from at least two and preferably three independent sources
keep in mind the concept of the weakest link in a chain, you'll always need to keep that in mind, the best parts are all dependent on other component function, to reach their full potential.
if your cars not geared to operate in the engines most effective power band your working at a big dis-advantage,
if the cam won,t allow the valves to open long and wide enough to maximize the port and runner flow your working at a dis-advantage.
the same concept of inter-dependency will be found in compression, exhaust flow and a dozen other areas!
now the thing that simply amazes me is that the vast majority of those people are absolutely , almost religiously opposed to doing, anything like spending a few hours reading or spending a couple hundred dollars on books on the subject. the fact is that spending the time and money before you get into purchasing components on detailed research into almost any area that might require a person to do in depth research , pays off in big savings , in less mistakes, fewer purchases of miss matched parts and far less assembly mistakes made.
yet many of those same people will take the advise of some 18 -20 year old kid standing on the opposite side of the local auto parts store , or some rather unskilled friend might have suggested as if it was written in granite slabs by the LORD!
this hobby is basically based on your ability to use tools, your ability too think about what each automotive sub system does and how you can make it function to its full efficiency or maybe even improve on what that system does.
take the effort to read the threads ,
buy the suggested books,as they are a good reference,
and pat attention too sub links ,they contain decades of knowledge
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/454-bbc-on-the-cheap-well-to-start.11739/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...y-in-building-a-good-engine.11682/#post-54682
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...train-clearances-and-problems.528/#post-57678
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/another-496bbc.5123/page-2#post-46729
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...k-for-in-a-good-engine-combo.9930/#post-46399
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/port-and-runner-math.148/#post-182
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...reasonable-mild-but-dependable-upgrade.12130/
http://www.markwilliams.com/calculators.aspx
we ALL learn from mistakes,
and WE ALL make them,
its part of the learning process,
the trick is in simply remembering,
NOT TO REPEAT OR DUPLICATE,
the MISTAKES YOU MAKE,
AND LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES,
YOUR FRIENDS MAKE ALSO!
I got asked why I seem to have a marked preference for building big block engines VS the far more common small block,
you really should get these books and read them before going any further, it will help a good deal
I spent decades of time building engines using salvage years as the source for the majority of the components ( I used, and recommended)
I also spent and still spend a great deal of time building engines for myself and others, with huge restrictions on component cost and time.
Brian may think I like to point out high dollar parts....
no I hate having to spend money, on parts especially if theres a perfectly good component you can get at a local salvage yard that will work perfectly well in the application,
that may cost less than 10%-40% of what the aftermarket part may cost.... but I think excellent long term durability is far more important than throwing something together fast and cheaply, that may not last very long If you do the research, and check everything the first time...if you , do things correctly and you don,t need too do it over.
I also built more than a few (several dozen 389,400,421, 428 Pontiac back in the 1960s-1990s, and several more in the last few decades
, or as the old saying goes.. if you can't afford to do it correctly, how are you going to afford to do it over when it self destructs after the original parts selected fail.
yeah it frustrating at times..
here is one area of reality, where the difference lies between the best vs the better ,
and the all too frequent .... guys charging an exorbitant amount of money for inferior work,
you know, exactly what I'm saying if youve ever dealt with skilled machine shops,
and the better mechanics, and all too often, scam machine shops, and fly by night operations, that pop up and go out of business every few years,
and why good machinist and knowledgeable engine builder's ,are so hard to locate, and most have long wait times , too get quality work done..
and why it almost always costs considerably more, and frequently takes longer to have some shops and race teams, work on your car or engine,
its also why many guys get rather pissed off, when they see what it costs for a top quality builder to build any engine.
and without doubt guys in some shops see what the best shops charge and think.. hell, if the best shop in my area, charges that much I should be charging a good deal more,
and I can knock that out for a bit less and in less time and make a killing...... and why finding a good machinist and machine shop is a real challenge in most areas.
I can easily suggest a cam , but its a rather meaningless gesture, and all too frequently a waste of time and effort for both of us.
simply because, without verifying the facts, and this is where Id say the vast majority of internet web sites,
and the recommendations, you see being posted in them, all too often, go wrong far too frequently.
yeah its easy to assume the timings correct the true functional compression, in every cylinder is nearly identical,
(most guys measure, two or three cylinders and without a second thought ignore the rest,
and thus they, blissfully assume all the other cylinders must be the same or so close its a waste of effort,
, most guys fail to put in the effort, too measure the less easily accessed cylinders, thinking
(why bother its a P.I.T.A. and if the first two or three are fine so will the rest of them, )
and that is the attitude that will be used for other factors, yeah, most guys, and every other guy reading similar threads on a vast ocean of similar web sites,
all over the internet, skip over anything that is redundant or takes a bit of extra effort, they simply assume they know things that may or may not be true.
the vast majority of guys , are absolutely convinced, that verifying every measurement and clearance issue in their engine,
in each cylinder is so close that they are effectively duplicate in all areas,
yeah without any doubt... its a waste of time and effort, too do what most guys, will just be convinced is busy work,
yes most tuners and car owners are just like the vast majority and are convinced everything between all the cylinders have not changed are exactly as you and they remember them too be..
especially if they have taken the time and effort too do things correctly several times in the past and found that to be true in the past.
thats the difference between the 5%-10% of guys consistently posting the best and most
consistent time slips and lap times vs the guys that frequently win a few races,
but over a season or two, don,t consistently, year after year build a good reputation, for durability and consistently winning.
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/finding-a-machine-shop.321/
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...5079777/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/102-1234339-0571324
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...gy_img_2/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...gy_img_2/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._books_1/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._books_3/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_2/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books
INVESTING THE TIME AND EFFORT IN PURCHASING AND READING A FEW BOOKS WILL BE VERY COST EFFECTIVE
http://www.dragzine.com/tech-stories/en ... ine-block/
"
SMALL BLOCK REFERENCE BOOKS YOULL WANT
start by buying these books and watching the video
http://www.themotorbookstore.com/resmchstvi.html
http://www.amazon.com/David-Vizards...8&qid=1456194032&sr=8-5&keywords=DAVID+VIZARD
HOW TO BUILD MAX PERFORMANCE CHEVY SMALL BLOCKS ON A BUDGET by DAVID VIZARD
.
JOHN LINGENFELTER on modifying small-block chevy engines
http://www.amazon.com/Lingenfelter-...=1456193940&sr=8-1&keywords=JOHN+LINGENFELTER
http://www.amazon.com/Smokey-Yunick...2&sr=8-1&keywords=smokey+yunick+power+secrets
http://www.amazon.com/Chevrolet-Rac...ords=The-Chevrolet-Racing-Engine-Bill-Jenkins
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/idea-for-new-calculator.4851/#post-39018
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-calculators-and-basic-math.10705/#post-50173
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/newbie-here.11767/#post-55608
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/a-few-calculator-links.7108/#post-27382
I've seen a great many machine shops who either just don,t give a rats A$$ or they are CLUELESS INCOMPETENTS
you can't assume anything you paid for was done correctly,
until
YOU VERIFY IT PERSONALLY (AND YES THAT REQUIRES PRECISION MEASURING AND EFFORT)
in either case this forces a decent engine builder to verify all the work was properly done
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-the-rabbit-hole-with-alice.10933/#post-66925
a day or so spent in careful research & reading can save you hundreds of dollars and months of wasted work
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/precision-measuring-tools.1390/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-articles-you-might-want-too-look-over.14682/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/piston-to-bore-clearance.4630/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...tion-of-crank-durring-short-blk-assembly.852/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...piston-to-bore-clearance-on-your-block.14251/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...g-and-installing-connecting-rods-pistons.247/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/rotating-assembly-bearings.9527/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...oven-facts-if-your-in-doubt.13051/#post-69824
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/assembly-lube-summary.6352/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/maximizing-piston-to-bore-ring-seal.3897/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ng-and-basic-piston-ring-info-youll-need.509/[/quote]
anyone with a bit of ability to use logic has to conclude that if theres been businesses based on rebuilding engines for over 100 years that the people doing that job have over time learned a good deal about what works and what won,t, and they should also be well aware that theres a good many written resources that are well worth reading through, to glean the tips and details they contain.
the fact is this engine building remains mostly well understood and known science, a teachable skill,
(for anyone willing to learn what works with a bit of RESEARCH)
and a bit of skilled ART , but the biggest and most common, and unfortunately repeated, mistake I've seen made, is guys who fail to ask questions,when they run into areas where they are not dead certain of what needs to be done, and fail to stop and ask questions, understand both the answers and WHY things, MUST be done a certain way for best results!
what seems to be over-looked in many engine builds is simply the fact you'll almost always DEEPLY regret jumping into the engine build with both feet and waving your check book as you sink ever deeper into piles of parts receipts and machine shop bills, rather than stepping back with a legal pad, and a calculator and listing in minute detail exactly what you want to accomplish, and taking the time and effort too list and check out in detail what each machine shop procedure costs, why its required and how much each components costs, what your options are and how each component will add too or benefit the completed combo (or in some cases cause you time and grief)
stepping back and thinking things through in detail and listing the cost and potential problems and finding the solutions BEFORE you dive into the process may be a lot less fun, but in the long term its sure to cost less and result in a far better finished project!
yes you'll ALWAYS NEED to verify clearances carefully when assembling any engine and no, you can,t assume everything will fit just because its part of a component list thats suppose to fit correctly, simply because manufacturing is an imprecise process and mistake do get made occasionally!
if you build enough engines youll eventually see a strong relationship, between higher initial cost and that spending a bit more on heads and rotating assembly and valve train components tends to significantly reduce the problems and increase the engines long term durability.
of course you'll want to match the heads you select,
to the intended rpm/power range and application and match the cam timing, compression ratio, and drive train gearing, etc.
so lets discus the current car/truck weight, transmission, tire size, rear gear ratio and what your intended goals and budget limitations are, as a start point.
the last thing you'll want to do is select parts that may cripple or restrict the engine performance by mis-matching components or selecting parts on price alone, we all work on limited budgets,
but its will pay big dividends in power produced too carefully select matched components
and generally the biggest mistake is mis-matching heads, intake and cam combos or scrimping on the quality of the components used,
a couple extra hours or even days spent in detailed of research may prove critical, in fact anything less than buying and reading through several books and reading a couple dozen links and all the sub-links is very likely to leave you missing valuable and critical info youll need later, and thats usually going to cost you wasted time and cash.
the big mistake's most people make is in not selecting the correct cam, to match the displacement and compression and drive train gearing or selecting a restrictive cylinder head or intake that does not match the intended power range
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...hing-the-drive-train-to-the-engine-combo.741/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...electing-a-torque-converter-stall-speed.1715/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...late-gear-ratios-and-when-to-shift-calcs.555/
getting started in the car hobby
Im 75 and look it!, I remember ALMOST all the mistakes I and FRIENDS MADE and what WORKED TOO! (plus I cheat I keep notes and records on ALMOST all of the engines and cars Ive built, or worked on! over 45 plus years.) Ive come bye most of the scars and info by experience and watching closely...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
all it takes is a tiny bit of research and some math to calculate the ideal rear differential gearing, tires size etc. and transmission gear ratios, and you can certainly select the correct torque converter stall speed if you have a dyno graph of your engines power curve without much difficulty, an hour or so spent in reading and research will provide you with a great deal better performance from most cars.
and a couple days worth of research and doing some math on all of the power trains component parts will provide you with a wealth of info that can prevent you from making costly mistakes.
yes allthe linked info below looks over whelming but ,
youll be amazed at the detailed info and,
the mistakes you can avoid by reading carefully and asking detailed questions, thus saving money and time
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/sellecting-cylinder-heads.796/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/semi-fool-proof-cam-sellection.82/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/first-hotrod-build.12902/#post-67005
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ing-a-383-sbc-combo-planing.12168/#post-58778
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/bare-minimum-tools.11026/#post-48785
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/matching-parts-and-a-logical-plan.7722/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/what-to-look-for-in-a-good-engine-combo.9930/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/another-383-build.12786/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ads-tuned-intake-turbulence.12998/#post-67611
a logical progression and a few thoughts
I constantly get people posting about the mistakes they made or less than ideal choices in component selection they made. in most cases if you ask them several questions you'll rapidly find they either just started out modifying the car they owned without giving the project much thought as to...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/a-383-build.10991/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/impersonator.9600/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-springs-and-setting-up-the-valve-train.181/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/port-speeds-and-area.333/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/valve-seat-angles-and-air-flow.8460/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/tbucket-engine-project-dart-shp.3814/
RELATED INFO
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/block-prep.125/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...k-after-a-cam-lobe-rod-or-bearings-fail.2919/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...g-and-installing-connecting-rods-pistons.247/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...tion-of-crank-durring-short-blk-assembly.852/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/tips-on-building-a-383-sbc-stroker.428/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/stroker-tips-by-len-emanuelson.1249/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/parts-prep-cleaning.6255/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/precision-measuring-tools.1390/#post-52466
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/what-con-rods-would-you-buy.942/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ng-and-basic-piston-ring-info-youll-need.509/
IF you find you don,t remember how to do something,
or can,t remember the clearance required,
torque specs ,the best parts to be used,
the correct wire color,
or correct sealant or
any thing else,
STOP do a bit of research, and DON,T SCREW IT UP,
a bit of research beats making mistakes .
BECAUSE AVOIDING MISTAKES generally costs a great deal less time and money!
A COUPLE HOURS READING CAN RESULT IN PREVENTING WEEKS OF WASTED WORK AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SAVED!
DON,T GUESS!
get the required info from at least two and preferably three independent sources
keep in mind the concept of the weakest link in a chain, you'll always need to keep that in mind, the best parts are all dependent on other component function, to reach their full potential.
if your cars not geared to operate in the engines most effective power band your working at a big dis-advantage,
if the cam won,t allow the valves to open long and wide enough to maximize the port and runner flow your working at a dis-advantage.
the same concept of inter-dependency will be found in compression, exhaust flow and a dozen other areas!
now the thing that simply amazes me is that the vast majority of those people are absolutely , almost religiously opposed to doing, anything like spending a few hours reading or spending a couple hundred dollars on books on the subject. the fact is that spending the time and money before you get into purchasing components on detailed research into almost any area that might require a person to do in depth research , pays off in big savings , in less mistakes, fewer purchases of miss matched parts and far less assembly mistakes made.
yet many of those same people will take the advise of some 18 -20 year old kid standing on the opposite side of the local auto parts store , or some rather unskilled friend might have suggested as if it was written in granite slabs by the LORD!
this hobby is basically based on your ability to use tools, your ability too think about what each automotive sub system does and how you can make it function to its full efficiency or maybe even improve on what that system does.
take the effort to read the threads ,
buy the suggested books,as they are a good reference,
and pat attention too sub links ,they contain decades of knowledge
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/454-bbc-on-the-cheap-well-to-start.11739/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...y-in-building-a-good-engine.11682/#post-54682
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...train-clearances-and-problems.528/#post-57678
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/another-496bbc.5123/page-2#post-46729
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...k-for-in-a-good-engine-combo.9930/#post-46399
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/port-and-runner-math.148/#post-182
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...reasonable-mild-but-dependable-upgrade.12130/
http://www.markwilliams.com/calculators.aspx
we ALL learn from mistakes,
and WE ALL make them,
its part of the learning process,
the trick is in simply remembering,
NOT TO REPEAT OR DUPLICATE,
the MISTAKES YOU MAKE,
AND LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES,
YOUR FRIENDS MAKE ALSO!
I got asked why I seem to have a marked preference for building big block engines VS the far more common small block,
you really should get these books and read them before going any further, it will help a good deal
I spent decades of time building engines using salvage years as the source for the majority of the components ( I used, and recommended)
I also spent and still spend a great deal of time building engines for myself and others, with huge restrictions on component cost and time.
Brian may think I like to point out high dollar parts....
no I hate having to spend money, on parts especially if theres a perfectly good component you can get at a local salvage yard that will work perfectly well in the application,
that may cost less than 10%-40% of what the aftermarket part may cost.... but I think excellent long term durability is far more important than throwing something together fast and cheaply, that may not last very long If you do the research, and check everything the first time...if you , do things correctly and you don,t need too do it over.
I also built more than a few (several dozen 389,400,421, 428 Pontiac back in the 1960s-1990s, and several more in the last few decades
, or as the old saying goes.. if you can't afford to do it correctly, how are you going to afford to do it over when it self destructs after the original parts selected fail.
yeah it frustrating at times..
here is one area of reality, where the difference lies between the best vs the better ,
and the all too frequent .... guys charging an exorbitant amount of money for inferior work,
you know, exactly what I'm saying if youve ever dealt with skilled machine shops,
and the better mechanics, and all too often, scam machine shops, and fly by night operations, that pop up and go out of business every few years,
and why good machinist and knowledgeable engine builder's ,are so hard to locate, and most have long wait times , too get quality work done..
and why it almost always costs considerably more, and frequently takes longer to have some shops and race teams, work on your car or engine,
its also why many guys get rather pissed off, when they see what it costs for a top quality builder to build any engine.
and without doubt guys in some shops see what the best shops charge and think.. hell, if the best shop in my area, charges that much I should be charging a good deal more,
and I can knock that out for a bit less and in less time and make a killing...... and why finding a good machinist and machine shop is a real challenge in most areas.
I can easily suggest a cam , but its a rather meaningless gesture, and all too frequently a waste of time and effort for both of us.
simply because, without verifying the facts, and this is where Id say the vast majority of internet web sites,
and the recommendations, you see being posted in them, all too often, go wrong far too frequently.
yeah its easy to assume the timings correct the true functional compression, in every cylinder is nearly identical,
(most guys measure, two or three cylinders and without a second thought ignore the rest,
and thus they, blissfully assume all the other cylinders must be the same or so close its a waste of effort,
, most guys fail to put in the effort, too measure the less easily accessed cylinders, thinking
(why bother its a P.I.T.A. and if the first two or three are fine so will the rest of them, )
and that is the attitude that will be used for other factors, yeah, most guys, and every other guy reading similar threads on a vast ocean of similar web sites,
all over the internet, skip over anything that is redundant or takes a bit of extra effort, they simply assume they know things that may or may not be true.
the vast majority of guys , are absolutely convinced, that verifying every measurement and clearance issue in their engine,
in each cylinder is so close that they are effectively duplicate in all areas,
yeah without any doubt... its a waste of time and effort, too do what most guys, will just be convinced is busy work,
yes most tuners and car owners are just like the vast majority and are convinced everything between all the cylinders have not changed are exactly as you and they remember them too be..
especially if they have taken the time and effort too do things correctly several times in the past and found that to be true in the past.
thats the difference between the 5%-10% of guys consistently posting the best and most
consistent time slips and lap times vs the guys that frequently win a few races,
but over a season or two, don,t consistently, year after year build a good reputation, for durability and consistently winning.
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/finding-a-machine-shop.321/
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...5079777/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/102-1234339-0571324
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...gy_img_2/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...gy_img_2/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._books_1/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._books_3/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_2/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books
INVESTING THE TIME AND EFFORT IN PURCHASING AND READING A FEW BOOKS WILL BE VERY COST EFFECTIVE
http://www.dragzine.com/tech-stories/en ... ine-block/
"
SMALL BLOCK REFERENCE BOOKS YOULL WANT
start by buying these books and watching the video
http://www.themotorbookstore.com/resmchstvi.html
http://www.amazon.com/David-Vizards...8&qid=1456194032&sr=8-5&keywords=DAVID+VIZARD
HOW TO BUILD MAX PERFORMANCE CHEVY SMALL BLOCKS ON A BUDGET by DAVID VIZARD
.
JOHN LINGENFELTER on modifying small-block chevy engines
http://www.amazon.com/Lingenfelter-...=1456193940&sr=8-1&keywords=JOHN+LINGENFELTER
http://www.amazon.com/Smokey-Yunick...2&sr=8-1&keywords=smokey+yunick+power+secrets
http://www.amazon.com/Chevrolet-Rac...ords=The-Chevrolet-Racing-Engine-Bill-Jenkins
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/idea-for-new-calculator.4851/#post-39018
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-calculators-and-basic-math.10705/#post-50173
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/newbie-here.11767/#post-55608
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/a-few-calculator-links.7108/#post-27382
I've seen a great many machine shops who either just don,t give a rats A$$ or they are CLUELESS INCOMPETENTS
you can't assume anything you paid for was done correctly,
until
YOU VERIFY IT PERSONALLY (AND YES THAT REQUIRES PRECISION MEASURING AND EFFORT)
in either case this forces a decent engine builder to verify all the work was properly done
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-the-rabbit-hole-with-alice.10933/#post-66925
a day or so spent in careful research & reading can save you hundreds of dollars and months of wasted work
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/precision-measuring-tools.1390/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-articles-you-might-want-too-look-over.14682/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/piston-to-bore-clearance.4630/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...tion-of-crank-durring-short-blk-assembly.852/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...piston-to-bore-clearance-on-your-block.14251/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...g-and-installing-connecting-rods-pistons.247/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/rotating-assembly-bearings.9527/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...oven-facts-if-your-in-doubt.13051/#post-69824
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/assembly-lube-summary.6352/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/maximizing-piston-to-bore-ring-seal.3897/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ng-and-basic-piston-ring-info-youll-need.509/[/quote]
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