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What's a good technical book on the Chevrolet small block?
I really want to learn as much as possible regarding the techical side of this engine.
I have a 77 L48, and already have the factory assembly manual. But it doesn't have a lot of tech info about the engine.
I read this front to back about eight times when I was about 9 years old.....around 1980......this is SBC 101....you read this first.
Though we could never figure out why he is putting a blue intake on an orange engine.
When you finish this book eight times.......read this one next:
You read and retain both of these books you will know more than 98% of humans that walk the earth about a small block.
The information in them is still pertinent to 2019 and beyond........
Jebby
Last edited by Jebbysan; Jan 16, 2019 at 07:43 AM.
I read this front to back about eight times when I was about 9 years old.....around 1980......this is SBC 101....you read this first.
Though we could never figure out why he is putting a blue intake on an orange engine.
When you finish this book eight times.......read this one next:
You read and retain both of these books you will know more than 98% of humans that walk the earth about a small block.
The information in them is still pertinent to 2019 and beyond........
Jebby
Is this the same book as the one with the guy and the blue intake, but just with another cover?
https://www.amazon.com/How-Rebuild-Your-Small-Block-Chevy/dp/1557880298
Last edited by Novusuhu; Jan 16, 2019 at 09:45 AM.
That is the one. It might be a different cover, but David Vizard writes an excellent book. The only thing, is that it only covers 1st Gen Small Blocks, through '85. After that, you're on your own. I hope they revise it, one day, to cover the '87-'91 L98 blocks and the '89-'93 Vortec TBI motors.
It is......flat out the best reading there is on SBC's for a beginner and great for straight up engine theory!
A LOT of what is covered here applies to engines of other brands.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Originally Posted by Jebbysan
It is......flat out the best reading there is on SBC's for a beginner and great for straight up engine theory!
A LOT of what is covered here applies to engines of other brands.
Jebby
Yep. They're all internal gas combustion engines operating on the same principles.
Oh, and this series is worth watching as well. Good late evening viewing, crack a beer, put your feet up and try not to get too distracted by the hot chick.
Oh, and this series is worth watching as well. Good late evening viewing, crack a beer, put your feet up and try not to get too distracted by the hot chick.
Actually pretty entertaining, speaking of engines while watching this, I've got a 78 L82 engine with 56k miles on that was autocrossed. In the vehicle restoration, I wasn't planning on doing anything to the engine or tranny but should the minimum maintenance things that I should do? Engine runs fine and cranked easily last time I ran it.
I agree the Vizard book is a perfect place to start. Also, if you're a YouTube watcher, check out postings from Myvintageiron7512 as he builds engines and has some pretty good, down to earth, content on the GM small block, assembly and disassembly, heads, etc. Pretty easy to watch and listen to and decent assembly advice. Here is Part 1 in his SBC rebuild series:
I agree the Vizard book is a perfect place to start. Also, if you're a YouTube watcher, check out postings from Myvintageiron7512 as he builds engines and has some pretty good, down to earth, content on the GM small block, assembly and disassembly, heads, etc. Pretty easy to watch and listen to and decent assembly advice. Here is Part 1 in his SBC rebuild series:
The David Vizard book is great, but very lacking in exactly what this video covers, the '87-'91 L98 TPI blocks (638 Casting number). This is a smart move, because why wouldn't you want a factory roller cam as your next build? That's why I'm putting my build in this thread, so folks can see the part numbers (and pitfalls) of building one of these. Plus, it comes with all the parts, that I was missing, like the lifter retainer and hardware, the rear main seal housing (hardware too) and the cam thrust plate (with the torx bolts to clear the timing chain).
Actually pretty entertaining, speaking of engines while watching this, I've got a 78 L82 engine with 56k miles on that was autocrossed. In the vehicle restoration, I wasn't planning on doing anything to the engine or tranny but should the minimum maintenance things that I should do? Engine runs fine and cranked easily last time I ran it.
Depends on what you want. If you are happy with the original setup and it is in good shape then change the oil, trans fluid, all filters, give it a tune up and you should be good to go. On my tired old L48 the only things left original on it are the block and timing chain cover. All new bottom end, AFR heads, ZZ4 aluminum manifold, modified Rochester, headers, etc. and bolted to a Bowtie Overdrive 700R4. Getting to the final stages of the restomod and hoping to fire it up soon.
Good tech book on the 'SBC'
