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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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