Best engine building book?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Re: Best engine building book? (QuickVet)
My favorite is: How To Build Max Performance CHEVY SMALL BLOCKS On A Budget by David Vizard (the wizard). It's copyrighted 1999 so is fairly current but since it stresses budget goals it doesn't cover all the fancy aluminum heads - other than the stock corvette stuff. He (Vizard) has a lot of other books about camshafts, induction, etc. to compliment engine building. :yesnod: But get ready as some concepts may take real study. Had to read them at least twice myself and continually use them for reference.
Just a couple areas I feel are weak or may need more is blueprinting the ring gaps and hydralic roller camshaft applications. If you find a good source for these please post. :D
Just a couple areas I feel are weak or may need more is blueprinting the ring gaps and hydralic roller camshaft applications. If you find a good source for these please post. :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
Re: Best engine building book? (cardo0)
In adition to Vizard's book, I would also recommend a pai of books from Reher-Morrison. You have to order them from their website, but they are very thorough and up to date. One book covers boom end and the other covers top end. Lingenfelter's book is handy as well, not necessarily from a step-by-step point of view, but from a holistic systems approach. In any event, you'll find alot of duplication from book to book.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Best engine building book? (Monty)
Vizards books are nice but they don't go in depth that much. It's more of a "copy what I did and you'll be fine" way of writing things down.
I'll have to get some of those Reher-Morrison books, their site is awesome too (tips) and if the books are even better...
I'll have to get some of those Reher-Morrison books, their site is awesome too (tips) and if the books are even better...
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: sebastopol ca
Re: Best engine building book? (Twin_Turbo)
Vizards books are nice but they don't go in depth that much. It's more of a "copy what I did and you'll be fine" way of writing things down.
I'll have to get some of those Reher-Morrison books, their site is awesome too (tips) and if the books are even better...
I'll have to get some of those Reher-Morrison books, their site is awesome too (tips) and if the books are even better...
if 500hp for 3k is fine, which it is.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Mt Juliet TN
Re: Best engine building book? (QuickVet)
Smokey Yunick's Power Secrets. It covers just about everything you need to know about the SBC.
If you dont know, this guy wrote the book on SBC performance. He is the reason that the Chevy's have dominated NASCAR (and everything else) for years. In the 60's 70's and 80's he was the top mechanic in NASCAR and Indy. He was NASCAR Grand National (now Winston Cup) champion twice in the 60's and won the 1960 Indy 500.
Read this book first.
If you dont know, this guy wrote the book on SBC performance. He is the reason that the Chevy's have dominated NASCAR (and everything else) for years. In the 60's 70's and 80's he was the top mechanic in NASCAR and Indy. He was NASCAR Grand National (now Winston Cup) champion twice in the 60's and won the 1960 Indy 500.
Read this book first.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Arlington Texas
Re: Best engine building book? (Corvette55)
All of the suggestions above are good. I'll add an additional book to the list, How to Build the Smallblock Chevrolet, by Larry Atherton & Larry Schreib. Published by S-A Design Books.
In addition, if you wast some interesting reading I suggest Smokey Yunick's, Best Damn Garage in Town. It's great! It's a three volume set, not cheap, about $110 for the set. But, it's an amazing autobiography written just before his death. If only half of what he did was true he's still amazing.
In addition, if you wast some interesting reading I suggest Smokey Yunick's, Best Damn Garage in Town. It's great! It's a three volume set, not cheap, about $110 for the set. But, it's an amazing autobiography written just before his death. If only half of what he did was true he's still amazing.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: Best engine building book? (QuickVet)
JC Whitney has a video out on how to rebuild a small block chevy. I put it in a small TV/VCR on my work bench and did exactly what the dude did on the screen. I used a book also but gave it away when I sold the C3. I did the Edlebrock/355 thing on it (an 81) and the engine came out great. I think it was rated at 160HP stock but probably was doin about 300 when I finished. Disconnected the computer crap and ran it like your basic 69 Vette. What a difference! :hurray: :auto: :steering:
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Alger oh
Re: Best engine building book? (corvetteronw)
I've also used the JCWhitney video and have found it pretty good on basic rebuilds. The same guy that made that video also has an excellent one on performance mods for a SBC. I got it on Amazon.com Between the two, you'll find out most of what you need. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,302
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Best engine building book? (Kingt)
All of the suggestions above are good. I'll add an additional book to the list, How to Build the Smallblock Chevrolet, by Larry Atherton & Larry Schreib. Published by S-A Design Books.
This is the book I used when I put my engine together. Very thorough explanation of each step. Not much theory, whys, and things of that nature, but very good step-by-step instruction.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: FINLAND
Re: Best engine building book? (Twin_Turbo)
Hey Marck...
If you need more indepth view of engine dynamics...try these..
-Scientific Design of Exhaust & Intake 3RD Edition
by Philip H Smith
And
-Design & Simulation of Four Stroke Engine
by Gordon P. Blair
Especially that Blairs 800+ pages will explain in detail why&how things work inside the engine.
Jussi
