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Buy with confidence!
If for any reason
you're not
completely satisfied
with an item, simply
return it within 7
days and the
purchase price will
be refunded.
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We ship world wide.
All international
orders must be paid
online. Checks or
money orders drawn
on non-US banks will
not be accepted.
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Choosing an Engine Block
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The block is the foundation of any blueprinting project. Every other part in the engine ultimately
depends on it. More time, effort, and expense is devoted to preparing the block than to any other
single component. If the engine is to perform up to expectations, the block has to be right.
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Selecting a Block
There was a time when any automotive project began with a trip to the junkyard for a suitable core.
It’s not that simple now. Junkyards are now called “salvage systems” or “ecological recycling
centers,” and have prices that match the fancy names. More important, many of the cores now
available in junkyards are less than desirable from a performance standpoint. In the “good old
days,” the automakers were quite liberal with their use of cast iron. When metal was cheap, the
factories didn’t care about the weight of their castings. Their attitude changed dramatically in the
Seventies, however. The accountants pointed out that all of this cast iron costs money; and in their
search for better fuel economy and mileage, the engineers were working overtime to eliminate
weight from cars. The result was the arrival of thin wall castings with flimsy cylinders, skimpy main
bearing saddles, and fragile deck surfaces. The “good” castings—generally those manufactured
during the Sixties—have been well picked over by now, especially in the yards surrounding major
metropolitan areas. If you want a good block it often pays to head for the country. Many of the
engine rebuilding outfits that fill the car magazines with page after page of low-priced engine kits
bring in trainloads of cores from Mexico and the Southwest, where there are still survivors from the
Sixties.
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Finding a suitable candidate for an
engine blueprinting project is never
easy. Approach a used motor with
caution unless you are familiar with
its history. Cracks and spun
bearings may not be apparent until
the engine is disassembled and
inspected!
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New vs. “Seasoned” Blocks
It used to be that no self-respecting performance enthusiast would consider using a new block. This
wasn’t simply a matter of money. New blocks just didn’t make as much power as well seasoned used
blocks. Engine blocks, like football quarterbacks, get better with age. In the case of a block casting,
countless cycles of heating up and cooling down help to “season” the metal. When a block is first
cast and then machined on the assembly line, it develops internal stresses. The heating/cooling
cycle allows these stresses to “relax,” until finally the block becomes dimensionally stable. In the
opinion of many top ranked racers, an engine does not achieve maximum power output until it has
been honed three or four times; it takes that long for the cylinder bores to settle down and hold the
perfectly round shape that promotes a “tight” ring seal.
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Here’s evidence that the automakers
are getting serious about performance
again. Chevrolet has introduced Bow
Tie big-block and small-block castings
with all the features any racer could
want; Ford and Chrysler offer similar
heavy-duty pieces. For a strong street
engine, however, Sixties-vintage iron is
usually a better (and cheaper) choice.
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In certain applications, a used block is no longer the best choice, however. The Detroit engineers
have realized that thin-wall castings are not really suitable for high-performance applications. That’s
why all the major automakers are now offering brand new “off-road” castings with the features that
racers and performance enthusiasts demand. For example, Chevrolet will sell you both small-block
and big-block “Bow Tie” castings with extra-thick cylinder walls, beefy main bearing bulkheads, and
reinforced deck surfaces. Ford offers heavy-duty iron and aluminum blocks through the SVO
division, and Chrysler makes special versions of the A-engine block available through the factory-
backed Direct Connection program.
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Chevrolet engine codes are stamped
on a pad just above the water pump.
This code may help you to identify an
engine with a forged crank and
big-valve cylinder heads.
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If you want the features these blocks offer, then you will have to use a “green,” unseasoned
casting. For a maximum effort racing engine, the advantages of thicker cylinder walls and a beefy
bottom end offset the extra effort required to rehone and rebuild the engine several times before it
reaches its power potential. If a strong street performance or moderate competition engine is in the
works, then a well-used, seasoned block is probably the better bargain. Engine blocks intended for
truck use tend to have more desirable features than passenger car versions. Given a choice, then,
the best bet would be a mid-Sixties truck block with low mileage and no cracks—if you can find one!
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When shopping for a block,
look for desirable features
such as four-bolt main
bearing caps. Trucks, police
cars, and taxicabs are likely
sources for heavy-duty
castings.
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Previous | Next
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This has been a sample page from
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The Step-By-Step Guide to Engine Blueprinting
by Rick Voegelin
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Practical Methods for Racing and Rebuilding
How to buy machine shop work
Selecting and preparing parts
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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.
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Click below to view sample
pages from each chapter.
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"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
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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
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Softbound
8-3/8 x 10-7/8
160 pages
400 b/w photos
Item #SA21
Price: $18.95
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Click here to buy now!
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Other items you might be interested in
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How to Rebuild the Small-Block Ford
In this 144 page book you're walked step by step through a rebuild,
including: Planning your Rebuild; Disassembly and Inspection;
Choosing the Right Parts; Machine Work; Assembling your Engine;
and First Firing and Break-In. Includes 289, 302, 351W, 351C, 351M
and 400.
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Price:
$18.95
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Turbochargers
How to select and install the correct turbo for big or small
horsepower gains. Discusses turbocharger design, sizing,
matching, controls, carburetion, exhaust, ignition,
intercooling, marine and high altitude applications. The most
comprehensive book available. Turbo suppliers and kit
maker addresses are included. “Everything you could possibly
need to know about turbochargers for automotive applications
is in this book.
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Price:
$18.95
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How to Build Big-Inch Ford Small Blocks
Thoroughly explains how to build a stroker, with information that will
help you to better tailor your heads, cam, intake manifold, carburetor &
exhaust system to get the most of the extra cubes. Also included is a
complete guide to head and block castings so you can choose exactly
the right parts for your project.
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Price:
$18.95
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Official Factory Guide To Building Ford Short-Track Power
How to Build Winning Short-Track Engines for Claimer Class, Spec
Series, and Sportsman Racing. Written by engineers from the Ford
Racing division, this book provides detailed instructions as well as
specific parts lists and assembly techniques for building short-track
versions of Ford's 351. Included are build lists for low dollar claimer
engines, limited late-model motors, and full competition engines.
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Price:
$18.95
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Shipping is combined and discounted for multiple item purchases!
Buy more and save on shipping!
We ship Worldwide! See International Shipping for more information!
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Search Our Store for More Great Ford, Lincoln & Mercury Items!
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FAST AND EFFICIENT SERVICE
We believe customer service and online retail can coexist. Our policy is to treat customers the way
we would like to be to treated. We strive to describe all items correctly. You have many options
online, but we believe our service is the best. We work around the clock to fill orders and ship items
within one business day. It is our goal to serve the customer before, during and after the checkout
process. Why gamble with your money and purchase from other sellers? We look forward to doing
business with you now and in the future.
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FAST SHIPPING
Items usually ship within one business day of receipt of payment! We keep large quantities on hand
and have a state of the art inventory management system to ensure your items are in stock and
ready to ship.
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YES, WE HAVE A RETURN POLICY
Satisfaction is guaranteed. Our store has a NO HASSLE RETURN POLICY within 7 days of
purchase. Your exchange will be processed upon receipt. If you are not satisfied with your
purchase, our knowledgeable team will do their best to make sure you get what you are looking for.
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QUALITY AND AFFORDABILITY
Why pay retail when you can save money and benefit from our purchasing power? We stock large
quantities to get you the best prices and assure the item you order will be in stock and ready to
ship. We have a COMBINED SHIPPING incentive whereby each additional item adds $1.95 to the
s/h. The more you buy, the more you can save!
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SHIPPING
Standard shipping is a flat rate of $4.95 to anywhere in the United States with USPS Media Mail.
Priority Mail shipping is available for an additional $3.00, or $7.95 shipping. Shipping is combined
and discounted for multiple items purchases as follows: first item regular price shipping, add $1.95
for each additional item.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
We ship to Canada and Mexico with Priority Mail International for $10.95, and to most locations in
Europe, Australia, Asia, Japan and South America for $14.95. Shipping is combined and discounted
for multiple items purchases as follows: first item regular price shipping, add $1.95 for each
additional item. All international orders must be ordered and paid online, as we can no longer
accept checks or money orders drawn on non-US banks.
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PAYMENT & SALES TAX
We accept Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, Checks and Money orders. Paypal is the preferred form of
payment. Our online shopping cart system is powered by PayPal, the most secure way to send
payment online. Iowa residents must add 7% sales tax.
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If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact us. We look forward to serving
you and fulfilling your needs.
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Thanks for your business!
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MRE
PO Box 47
Grinnell, IA 50112
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