Engine builder's/hot rodder's bible?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 13,244
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Engine builder's/hot rodder's bible?
Is there a resource that you feel comprehensively and exhaustively covers everything related to the science/theory and practical hands-on how-to of building and tuning an engine the right way whether older tech or newer? Including forced induction, carburetors, fuel injection, cams, ignition, what specialized tools you need, how to speak knowledgeably with the machine shop, etc. etc.?
Last edited by brassplyer; Feb 16, 2019 at 11:27 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 557
From: Seattle Washington
The quick answer is No. There are quite a few very good books on all the subjects You mentioned but as we speak they are getting out of date and there are very few new ones to replace them. In the past when ever I have started a Project I would first buy the appropriate book and research it before first. I have "How to rebuild the SBC,BBC etc" Chassis Books, EFI Suspension Bodywork You name it the shelf is full. I recently needed to rebuild my 4L80e Trans out of my Silverado so I just searched for the appropriate book and wala, there are no books available. Or very few. You can blame the internet and modern times. Theres no money to be made selling Paper Books that's never going to be a best seller. This Web Sight is guilty as well. So if You can't beat them join them ! I took a 40" TV that was near dead and set it up on my workbench and completely rebuilt my Automatic Transmission having never done one before using U-Tube Videos. I'd say it was easier than flipping pages. Plus there are more than one way to do a lot of procedures and You can watch different people to the same thing different ways.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
tall order.
that all-encompassing resource is YOU and the knowledge you acquire through direct hands-on work experience, face-to-face personal interactions, study and reflection.
I doubt anyone could become proficient via mostly social media, bulletin boards and periodicals.
that all-encompassing resource is YOU and the knowledge you acquire through direct hands-on work experience, face-to-face personal interactions, study and reflection.
I doubt anyone could become proficient via mostly social media, bulletin boards and periodicals.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 201
From: Willoughby Ohio
Last edited by 76strokervette; Feb 17, 2019 at 02:24 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2018
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 55
From: Humboldt county Ca
So----if I only buy the "Lower" book, use it and then roll the engine over the lower becomes the upper and I can----- no, wait--- if I buy the upper. Ouch, ouch, ouch! Now my head hurts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,510
From: Little Rock AR
The quick answer is No. There are quite a few very good books on all the subjects You mentioned but as we speak they are getting out of date and there are very few new ones to replace them. In the past when ever I have started a Project I would first buy the appropriate book and research it before first. I have "How to rebuild the SBC,BBC etc" Chassis Books, EFI Suspension Bodywork You name it the shelf is full. I recently needed to rebuild my 4L80e Trans out of my Silverado so I just searched for the appropriate book and wala, there are no books available. Or very few. You can blame the internet and modern times. Theres no money to be made selling Paper Books that's never going to be a best seller. This Web Sight is guilty as well. So if You can't beat them join them ! I took a 40" TV that was near dead and set it up on my workbench and completely rebuilt my Automatic Transmission having never done one before using U-Tube Videos. I'd say it was easier than flipping pages. Plus there are more than one way to do a lot of procedures and You can watch different people to the same thing different ways.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
45 to 50 years ago there were several publications on how to build a, performance or stock, big block or small block Chevy engine.
I built several using those books and never had a problem.
They were detailed with very good pictures and diagrams.
If you followed each step you could be successful.
Today it is almost a science to rebuild an engine or transmission, but I bet if you found one of the old books you could still take an old school block, heads and other components and get it done with no problems.
I trashed my old books years ago and wish I would have kept them.
Good luck
I built several using those books and never had a problem.
They were detailed with very good pictures and diagrams.
If you followed each step you could be successful.
Today it is almost a science to rebuild an engine or transmission, but I bet if you found one of the old books you could still take an old school block, heads and other components and get it done with no problems.
I trashed my old books years ago and wish I would have kept them.
Good luck
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Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Is there a resource that you feel comprehensively and exhaustively covers everything related to the science/theory and practical hands-on how-to of building and tuning an engine the right way whether older tech or newer? Including forced induction, carburetors, fuel injection, cams, ignition, what specialized tools you need, how to speak knowledgeably with the machine shop, etc. etc.?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
How to build an engine is essentially unchanged from about a half hour after the small block went into production. What to install as an upgrade? Changes about every half hour these days.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,352
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Engine building is NOT an exact science. Therefore you will find many respectable resources/opinions. This forum is one of those very respectable resources A lot of theories and different philosophies out there and a lot of them are 100% correct.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Chevy High Performance Small-Block Chevy, Engine Building
170 large pages, 28 chapters, wonderful photos, a wealth of top-notch knowledge.
Publish in 2003, cost $19.95
Maybe Google can find it for you.
170 large pages, 28 chapters, wonderful photos, a wealth of top-notch knowledge.
Publish in 2003, cost $19.95
Maybe Google can find it for you.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Feb 19, 2019 at 09:49 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
I've found this book to be helpful...
"How to Build a Small-Block Chevy for the Street" by Jim Richardson
It's available at Amazon.
"How to Build a Small-Block Chevy for the Street" by Jim Richardson
It's available at Amazon.
Last edited by Street Rat; Feb 20, 2019 at 09:26 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
This Corvette Forum is probably the best source of accurate Information and for the solving of Corvette problems. There is a lot of experience here and it will help you for free provided you are polite and remember the year and other pertinent information in the post.
I love reading about the problems and their solutions, it will help make me a better troubleshooter and a "less broke" Corvette owner.
Having a Full set of the Factory Service Manuals for each particular Corvette you own is a basic requirement of Owning a Corvette.
No other book is as important to have (regarding Corvettes) if you plan to either do the work yourself or are paying for the labor it helps to understand the problem and how it is repaired.
I love reading about the problems and their solutions, it will help make me a better troubleshooter and a "less broke" Corvette owner.
Having a Full set of the Factory Service Manuals for each particular Corvette you own is a basic requirement of Owning a Corvette.
No other book is as important to have (regarding Corvettes) if you plan to either do the work yourself or are paying for the labor it helps to understand the problem and how it is repaired.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA
Tall order for one book...
As far as practical, how to pull a motor and rebuild it including tools, etc.. I'm incredibly happy with this one so far and it's from 2015 so pretty up to date: That book has a GREAT section for what to know before going to a machine shop and even a detailed document at the end of the book that lists questions to ask and details to get from the machine shop. (Wish I would've read it first...)
As far as part's selection for power upgrades, David's Vizard's newest "How to build Max Power Chevy's" I also found very good, but I think he's got a new version due like this year: Both books are full of color photos everywhere and both are 160 pages.
Neither one of those really covers superchargers or turbochargers, though.
The Reher Morrison book I hear tons of good things about but it's 800 pages and I think it's for professional engine builders completely blueprinting an engine.
Adam
As far as practical, how to pull a motor and rebuild it including tools, etc.. I'm incredibly happy with this one so far and it's from 2015 so pretty up to date: That book has a GREAT section for what to know before going to a machine shop and even a detailed document at the end of the book that lists questions to ask and details to get from the machine shop. (Wish I would've read it first...)
As far as part's selection for power upgrades, David's Vizard's newest "How to build Max Power Chevy's" I also found very good, but I think he's got a new version due like this year: Both books are full of color photos everywhere and both are 160 pages.
Neither one of those really covers superchargers or turbochargers, though.
The Reher Morrison book I hear tons of good things about but it's 800 pages and I think it's for professional engine builders completely blueprinting an engine.
Adam
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
The Reher Morrison book is the Bible......the Vizard stuff is more theory but still awesome to read....
The HP books “How to Rebuild a SBC” should be first on any new comers list though.....I read it front to back at the ripe old age of 9 the first time!!!!
Jebby
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA
Is that not exactly what every builder or student should strive for?
The Reher Morrison book is the Bible......the Vizard stuff is more theory but still awesome to read....
The HP books “How to Rebuild a SBC” should be first on any new comers list though.....I read it front to back at the ripe old age of 9 the first time!!!!
Jebby
The Reher Morrison book is the Bible......the Vizard stuff is more theory but still awesome to read....
The HP books “How to Rebuild a SBC” should be first on any new comers list though.....I read it front to back at the ripe old age of 9 the first time!!!!
Jebby
For my other hobby, I enjoy reading 800 page Brewing text books; for my engine rebuild / C3 hobby I want to understand how it works and just know roughly how to do something "good enough" to get it done. With the car I'm focused on getting a reasonable end result within a reasonable timeline.
Adam
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 207
Likes: 34
From: raleigh N.C.
I enjoy playing with software for different combinations.
This one is pretty advanced down to runner length and taper, header and collector type and tons of turbo and blowers to try.
There are also alot of premade combos to point you in the right direction.
http://www.motionsoftware.com/Dynomation6.htm
Building it in real life is a different story, but if you are realistic with your goal any decent engine builder should have no problems with it.
A safe bet is to copy what someone else has already done, budget is the only limit.
This one is pretty advanced down to runner length and taper, header and collector type and tons of turbo and blowers to try.
There are also alot of premade combos to point you in the right direction.
http://www.motionsoftware.com/Dynomation6.htm
Building it in real life is a different story, but if you are realistic with your goal any decent engine builder should have no problems with it.
A safe bet is to copy what someone else has already done, budget is the only limit.