How To Make An Engine

A powerful engine is the foundation of any powerful street machine. Your automobile is all show and no go without a strong mill, which isn't the best reputation to have at the neighborhood cruise ship. It's up to you to turn your street cruiser into a street bruiser, though, as many cars have a mediocre engine out of the factory.

Car Craft has written innumerable articles about how to create a gazillion horsepower engine and how to get your V8 to produce torque strong enough to pull a tree. However, these stories can occasionally be too technologically complex and/or call for alterations that are too costly for the typical auto craftsman. This tech feature so returns to the fundamentals. There are many different engine assembly techniques, building advice, and suggestions included. The basic advice is applicable to the majority of V8 engines manufactured in the United States by major automakers, including Chevrolet, Chrysler/Dodge, Ford, Buick, Olds, and Pontiac.

It is crucial to keep in mind that making your first engine successfully isn't difficult; it only requires diligent labor and meticulous attention to detail. Just keep in mind to locate the right answer rather than speculating if you have an assembly question or are unclear about a torque specification. Your engine-building questions can be answered from a number of sources. These can be obtained by contacting the maker of the part in question, consulting the pages of Car Craft magazine, or consulting a motor manual (like Chilton's) for the year and type of vehicle you own. For instance, call the tech line of the cam company and ask them directly if you're unsure how to adjust the valve lash on your new street/strip camshaft. By starting with questions, errors, time, and money can be avoided.

When building your first engine, the most important thing is to do it correctly. It will likely take you longer to assemble the engine than a race shop if you don't build engines for a living. Take your time, though, as there isn't a trophy for the fastest engine building. Set aside a single afternoon to construct the bottom-end. After that, come back another day to install the cam, heads, and rocker arms (with fresh energy and a clear brain). The engine-building method, as well as your full street machine build-up project, is made simple and pleasurable by breaking it up. After all, having fun is the main goal of a muscle car project.

For now, however, take a look at the accompanying images and captions, as well as the list and image gallery below for the A-B-C's of engine building.

Step 1: Select upgrades that provide excellent overall street performance, are dependable, and are affordable.

Step 2: Choose engine components based on how you want to drive your automobile most of the time.

Step 3: If at all possible, have a torque plate inserted and have the cylinder block sharpened.

Step 4: Tapping each bolt hole on the cylinder block is a basic at-home machining procedure.

Step 5: By creating a flatter, more equal deck surface, decking a cylinder block improves cylinder sealing.

Step 6: Use soapy water to clean the cylinder block, crankshaft, and rods.

Step 7: Apply a high-temperature paint to the cylinder block's outside.

Align-boring the cylinder block mains is step eight.

Step 9: Use a high-quality torque wrench to gradually tighten the main cap bolts in the correct order.

Step 10: Dry the cylinder block and install the main bearing.

Step 11: Carefully position the crankshaft so as not to harm the primary bearings.

Step 12: Align the timing chain gears so that the two little dots are adjacent to one another in order to correctly phase the camshaft with the crankshaft.

Step 13: Tighten the rocker arm nut with a hydraulic camshaft until there is no more lash, then tighten it one more turn.

Step 14: Insert a dial indicator into the lifter bore. O-rings on the indicator shaft hold the dial indicator firmly in the lifter bore.

Step 15: To degree a camshaft, begin by locating the No. 1 piston at Top Dead Center (TDC) using a dial indicator (arrow A). Next, attach the degree wheel (arrow B) to the crankshaft's end. Make sure the cam degree pointer (arrow C) is installed in line with the degree wheel's zero mark.

Step 16: Make sure to only get high-performance gaskets from reliable suppliers.

Step 17: Tack-weld the pickup and oil pump together to guarantee that they stay firmly attached and in phase.

Step 18: The most crucial period of an engine break-in is the first ten minutes. Maintain a constant check on engine parameters (such as fuel and oil pressure and spark timing) and keep the engine running between 2000 and 2500 rpm.

Step 19: It is strongly advised to balance the engine components that comprise the rotating assembly.