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Engine Blueprinting The Step-By-Step Guide to Engine Blueprinting
by Rick Voegelin
Practical Methods for Racing and Rebuilding
How to buy machine shop work
Selecting and preparing parts
This completely revised and updated version containing an
additional 32 pages is simply the best book you can buy on
engine preparation for street or racing! Rick Voegelin's highly
acclaimed combination of savvy writing and wrenching skills puts
this best-seller in a class by itself. All important preparation
techniques are clearly illustrated and explained in this easy-to-
read text. Engine Blueprinting shows the reader how to use
precision measuring tools, calculate compression ratios, degree a
camshaft, and much more! Loaded with helpful advice, this book
should be in every enthusiast's tool box.
Click below to view sample
pages from each chapter.
"Rick Voegelin's book, The Step-by-Step Guide to Engine
Blueprinting, is an excellent source of performance-oriented
engine building information for the beginner and the seasoned
veteran alike. This digest should be in every enthusiast's greasy
mitts."
-- Steve Magnante, HOT ROD
Chap. 1 - Engine Blueprinting
Chap. 2 - Cylinder Block
Chap. 3 - Crankshaft
Chap. 4 - Connecting Rods
Chap. 5 - Pistons
Chap. 6 - Cylinder Heads
Chap. 7 - Camshaft
Chap. 8 - Compression Ratio
Chap. 9 - Balancing
Chap. 10 - Assembly Tips
Softbound
8-3/8 x 10-7/8
160 pages
400 b/w photos
Item #SA21
Price: $18.95
Click here to buy now!

Engine Blueprinting
Deep in his heart, every car enthusiast secretly lusts for a six-foot-high tool cabinet, its drawers
heavy with one of every item in the Snap-on catalog, its cubbyholes bursting with micrometers,
gauges, and calipers. Anyone who has spent time around automobiles quickly realizes that it is
impossible to have “too many” tools. But for all the appeal of a well-stocked tool chest, the fact is
that a simple assortment of hand tools and a few precision measuring tools is all that’s necessary
for most basic blueprinting operations. Naturally, you can’t expect to perform precision machine
work with hand tools; but the average backyard mechanic, with modest tools and a little common
sense, can accomplish quite a bit of the preliminary preparation work and this will better prepare
you to tell your machinist exactly what you want (which greatly increases the chances of getting
what you need).

If your automotive endeavors have progressed to the point that you are considering an engine
blueprinting project, you have probably already accumulated a fairly complete selection of
wrenches, ratchets, sockets, and screwdrivers. However, if you haven’t already added a torque
wrench to your tool supply, then this item should unquestionably be the first item on your shopping
list.
There are two common types of torque wrenches: (1) beam wrenches, which indicate torque loads
by deflecting a flexible shaft, and (2) click-type wrenches, which produce an audible “click” when the
torque resistance has reached the specified setting. Even though the click-type torque wrenches
are unquestionably easier to use and “sexier” than an old-fashioned beam wrench, they have
several drawbacks. First, they are several times more expensive than a beam wrench. Second, any
sort of rough handling can cause them to read inaccurately—and wrenches have been known to
take a tumble off a workbench. Since there is no simple way to test the accuracy of a click-type
torque wrench, it must be returned to the manufacturer for adjustment. Beam-type torque
wrenches, on the other hand, are dirt cheap and dead reliable. Since the beam is nothing more
than a steel spring, there are no moving parts to break or go out of kilter. Probably the best
solution is to own two torque wrenches—a click-type for tedious chores like tightening head bolts,
and a beam-type for double-checking the torque readings of crucial fasteners, like rod bolts and
flywheel fasteners.
Tools used to blueprint and engine
Learning how to use precision
tools is an essential part of
engine blueprinting. Every
component should be
checked and re-checked
before final assembly.
Torque Wrench
Treat your torque
wrench like a dear
friend – your success
at engine building will
depend on it. Click-
type torque wrenches
are convenient to use,
but must be
recalibrated
occasionally to ensure
continued accuracy. A
beam-type wrench is
less glamorous, but
dead reliable.
Precision Tools
A revolution has taken place in the precision tool market within the past 10 years. Until recently,
micrometers and other measuring tools were English, difficult to find, and expensive. Now that’s all
changed. Like cameras and stereo sets, the vast majority of precision tools are now imported from
Japan. They can be ordered from dozens of mail-order tool suppliers, and the prices are a fraction
of what they used to be. Even large department stores, such as Sears, carry a wide array of
precision tools at reasonable prices. In general, the accuracy and dependability of these
inexpensive measuring tools are completely satisfactory for most engine blueprinting operations.
Outside micrometers
Outside micrometers are
the foundation of any
precision tool collection.
You can add more sizes as
your engine-building skills
and interests grow.
Engine rebuilding is only an occasional pastime for most enthusiasts. In these circumstances, it
makes sense to form a “tool pool” with other hobbyists. For example, you might convince the car
nut next door to buy a set of micrometers, while you invest in dial indicators and magnetic stands.
By swapping these tools when a particular measuring task is at hand, you can both have the
equipment you need without all the expense. If you need a certain tool only a few times a year, it
makes sense to borrow rather than buy.
Engine builder using a torque wrench for assembly
An accomplished engine builder
quickly develops a “feel” for his torque
wrench. Learn to pull the handle
smoothly to prevent erroneous
readings.
Although a complete assortment of measuring tools is nice, it is not essential. Throughout this book
we’ll point out ways to blueprint an engine without using anything more exotic than a feeler gauge,
modeling clay, and Plastigage. In many instances, this very basic equipment can produce results as
accurate as a chest full of micrometers and calipers. Then again, there are times when only the real
thing will do. The important thing, however, is to know when to use which tool or technique.
Basic Measuring Tools
If you ask a professional engine builder which tools he uses most often, he will probably confess
that 95 percent of his measurements are taken with just three tools: a 1-inch outside micrometer, a
6-inch dial caliper, and a dial indicator. With a tool budget of only $100—about the cost of an
aluminum intake manifold—you can start your precision tool collection with these three essential
items.

A micrometer is the tool that nearly everyone associates with engine blueprinting. When assembling
an engine to close tolerances, there is always a need to know how thick various pieces are—and a
micrometer is usually the tool that supplies the answer. For example, measuring the thickness of a
head gasket, valve spring shim, or piston ring is a simple chore with a good quality micrometer.
Even inexpensive micrometers are accurate to within one ten-thousandths of an inch (0.0001-inch).
Usually, though, it’s not the price of the tool but the skill of the operator that determines how
accurate the measurements are. Becoming proficient with a micrometer is more than learning how
to read the spindle. Developing the right touch or “feel” for how tightly to turn the mike is a skill that
comes with practice. Two engine builders can measure the same part with the same instrument and
come up with slightly different sizes—all because of differences in the feel they have for tightening
the micrometer.
When shopping for a micrometer, look for a tool that will read to one ten-thousandth of an inch
(0.0001-inch). You may never need to measure anything that accurately, but the extra divisions will
help you decide which way to round off a close measurement. Digital micrometers that display the
thickness of the part like a calculator are becoming more common. If you are uncomfortable reading
a conventional micrometer or plan to use a micrometer very seldom, then the digital version may be
right for you. (Be warned, though, that a digital micrometer can become a crutch. Someday you will
be in a shop and have to use a standard micrometer; so avoid the embarrassment of admitting you
don’t know how to use one by learning the basics.)
High-quality micrometers have a range of only one inch. Thus, a well stocked toolbox should
include five different micrometers: 0.0000- to 1.0000-inch, 1.0000- to 2.0000-inch, 2.0000- to
3.0000-inch, 3.0000- to 4.0000-inch, and 4.0000- to 5.0000-inch. This assortment will meet any
measurement needs you are likely to encounter during an engine blueprinting project.
Outside micrometer with calibration tools
A good quality micrometer should
include a setting standard to
check its accuracy. Like all
precision tools, micrometers
should be stored and used with
care.
Next


This has been a sample page from

Engine Blueprinting The Step-By-Step Guide to Engine Blueprinting
by Rick Voegelin
Practical Methods for Racing and Rebuilding
How to buy machine shop work
Selecting and preparing parts
This completely revised and updated version containing an
additional 32 pages is simply the best book you can buy on
engine preparation for street or racing! Rick Voegelin's highly
acclaimed combination of savvy writing and wrenching skills puts
this best-seller in a class by itself. All important preparation
techniques are clearly illustrated and explained in this easy-to-
read text. Engine Blueprinting shows the reader how to use
precision measuring tools, calculate compression ratios, degree a
camshaft, and much more! Loaded with helpful advice, this book
should be in every enthusiast's tool box.
Click below to view sample
pages from each chapter.
"Rick Voegelin's book, The Step-by-Step Guide to Engine
Blueprinting, is an excellent source of performance-oriented
engine building information for the beginner and the seasoned
veteran alike. This digest should be in every enthusiast's greasy
mitts."
-- Steve Magnante, HOT ROD
Chap. 1 - Engine Blueprinting
Chap. 2 - Cylinder Block
Chap. 3 - Crankshaft
Chap. 4 - Connecting Rods
Chap. 5 - Pistons
Chap. 6 - Cylinder Heads
Chap. 7 - Camshaft
Chap. 8 - Compression Ratio
Chap. 9 - Balancing
Chap. 10 - Assembly Tips
Softbound
8-3/8 x 10-7/8
160 pages
400 b/w photos
Item #SA21
Price: $18.95
Click here to buy now!

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How to Rebuild the Small-Block Ford
This 144 page book guides you step by step through a rebuild,
including: planning, disassembly and inspection, choosing the
right parts, machine work, assembling your engine, first firing and
break-in. It also gives you helpful hints and tips on performance
upgrades, including cams, heads, ignition, induction, and more. It
also points out problem areas to watch for, professional builder
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Includes 495 color photos and covers the Ford 289, 302, 351W,
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The Engine Builder's Handbook
The process of how to rebuild engines to original condition is
fully explained in this illustrated guide. Included are general
tips, techniques and procedures that can be applied to all
types of engine building, including musclecars, classics, hot
rods, street rods, imports, trucks, powerboats and RVs. The
information contained in this book is presented in easy to
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Price:
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How to Build Big-Inch Ford Small Blocks
By increasing the bore and stroke of your current engine, you can
add those cubic inches without the hassle of switching to a big
block. George Reid thoroughly explains the building of a small
block Ford stroker, paying special attention to the effect that
increasing the bore and stroke have on the engine as a whole.
Also included is a complete guide to factory head and block
castings, as well as aftermarket block and head guides, so you
can choose exactly the right parts for your project.
How to Build Big Inch Ford Small Blocks Price:
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