How to Build Killer Chevy Small-Block Engines. Mike Mavrigian
Monitoring Stretch
REM Finishing
Chapter 5: Today’s Performance Cylinder Heads
Edelbrock
Trick Flow Specialties (TFS)
Dart
Brodix
Air Flow Research
World Products
Racing Head Service
Chapter 6: Advancements in Camshaft Design and Technology
Roller Cam Advantages
Camshaft Patterns to Compensate for Intake Manifold Runners
Symmetrical Versus Asymmetrical Camshafts
Surface Finishing Technology
Lobe Separation Angles
Base Circle Diameter
Special Firing-Order Camshafts
Camshaft Needle Bearings
Choosing the Correct Distributor Gear
Check for Runout
Manifolds
Selecting Carburetor Size
E85 Fuel
EFI
Fuel Pressure
Fuel Injectors: Low Impedance Versus High Impedance
Choosing Injector Size
Forced Induction
Supercharger Basics
Fuel System
Compression Ratio
Upgrading the Engine to Accommodate the New-Found Power
Fuel Injection Tech
Injector Impedance
Injector Harness Adapters
Injector Physical Dimensions
Chapter 8: Rockers and Lifters
Roller Rockers
Shaft-Mounted Rockers
Rocker Arm Materials
Rocker Arm Ratio
Lifters
Piston Skirts and Major/Minor Thrust
Offset Pin
Match the Valve Angle
Examples of Piston Choices
Piston Dome Shape
Coatings
Piston Features and Options
Piston CD and the Oil Ring
Piston Dome Volume
Combustion Chamber Volume
Chapter 10: Sample Engine Build: 422 CI
Block Prep and Modifications
Crankshaft Balancing
Block Plugs
Cam and Bearings
Crankshaft Installation
Dry Belt Care
Crank Balancer Installation
Piston and Rod Installation
Oil Filter Adapter
Wet Sump Oil Pumps
Cam Timing
Roller Lifters
Timing Pointer
Crank Trigger
Cylinder Heads
Rockers
Pushrods
Intake Manifold
Carburetor
Distributor
Valve Covers
Oil Pan
Vacuum Pump
Racing Alternator
Water Pump
Dyno Run
Parts Used in This Build
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to the following for their participation and input: Zac Kimball and Chris Raschke, ARP; Bill McKnight, Mahle; Ron Rotunno, Fel-Pro; Sean Crawford, JE Pistons; Tom Lieb, Scat Enterprises; Don Meziere, Meziere Enterprises; Mike Osterhaus, Melling Select; Cody Smith, Cloyes; Jodi Holtrey, Medina Mountain Motors; Scott Gressman, Gressman Powersports; Tony Lombardi, Ross Racing Engines; Bill Tichenor and Jeff Teel, Holley and MSD Performance; Silver Gomez, MSD Performance; John Callies, John Callies Inc./Morel Lifters; Richard Maskin, Dart; Jack McKinnis, World Products; Dick Boyer, World Products/Erson-PBM; Trent Goodwin, Comp Cams and RHS; Duane Boes, Callies Crankshafts; Air Flow Research; Al Rebescher, Trick Flow Specialties; Bob Fall, Fall Automotive Machine; Glen Schierholt, UEM/Icon Pistons; Swain Tech Coatings; Thor Schroeder, Moroso Performance; Lynn Livermore, Fluidampr; Bullet Cams; Permatex; Dave Monyhan, Goodson Shop Supplies; Ryan Kilpatrick, Oliver Rods; Tom Lieb and Alex Gonzalez, Scat Crankshafts; Jennifer Woods, Brodix; Randy Becker, Harland Sharp, CJ Jones, Jones Racing; Rob Remesi and Mike Mullen, Jesel; Robin Manton, Manton Pushrods; Wilson Intake Manifolds; Jim Smaaladen, Bryant Crankshafts; Kathy Donovan, Donovan.
CHAPTER 1
THE SMALL-BLOCK CHEVY
Hot dogs, baseball, apple pie, the flag, Mom, and the small-block Chevy engine. Collectively, we’re talking about all things America. Shortly after the birth of the performance industry to the present day, the beloved SBC (small-block Chevy) continues to be one of the most, if not the most, prolific and intensely-developed, go-to engine platform in the performance and racing communities.
The first small-block Chevy engine was introduced in 1955 and was available in the Bel Air and Corvette in 265 cubic inches of displacement. Small-block engines, featuring a cylinder bore spacing of 4.40 inches, produced from 1955 to 1974 were