How to Rebuild the Small-Block Ford: From Tear-Down to Break-In

Over the years, the small-block Ford has remained one of the most popular and widely used engines on the planet. From the earliest Fairlanes and Mustangs and light trucks, the Ford small-block has powered them all.

With the amount of aftermarket support and rebuildable cores out there, you don't have to worry about spending an arm and a leg for a quality rebuild—especially if you do the teardown and assembly yourself.

In How to Rebuild the Small-Block Ford, CarTech's unique Workbench format walks you step by step through a rebuild, including:

Planning your rebuild
Disassembly and inspection
Choosing the right parts
Machine work
Assembling your engine
First firing and break-in

The Workbench format also gives you helpful hints and tips on performance upgrades, including cams, heads, ignition, induction, and more. It also points out problem areas to watch for, professional builder tips, jobs that need special care or special tools, and more. Whether you're first-time engine builder or a seasoned professional, this is the essential guide to rebuilding your small-block Ford.

Author George Reid uses over 500 step-by-step color photos to show you how to rebuild your small-block Ford right the first time. Reid is also the author of the other CarTech best-selling titles.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements | Introduction: What is a Workbench book?

CHAPTER 1: Before you begin
Planning your engine | Our engine | Horsepower and torque | Tools to get the job done | Tools you should rent | Keep a clean work shop

CHAPTER 2: Engine disassembly
The teardown | Step by step: tearing down the engine | Why do engines wear out?

CHAPTER 3: Selecting parts
Blocks | 221, 260, 289, 302 cylinder heads | 351W cylinder heads | Small-block cylinder-head identification | Aftermarket cylinder heads | Guide to Ford aftermarket cylinder heads | Crankshafts | Crankshaft identification | Connecting rods | Pistons | Flywheels and flexplates | Harmonic balancers | Oiling system | Camshafts | Camshafts: the inside dope | Rocker arms | Water pumps | Cooling fans and radiators | Carburetors | Intake manifolds | Ignition

CHAPTER 4: Machine shop
The block | Step by step: machining the block | Rotating assembly | Step by step: machining the rotating assembly | Oil system | Cylinder heads | Step by step: machining the heads

CHAPTER 5: Engine assembly
Short block | Basic torque specifications | Why degree a camshaft? | Step by step: assemble the short block | The rest of the bottom end | Step by step: assemble the rest of the bottom end | The top end | Step by step: assemble the top end

CHAPTER 6: Break-in and tuning
Cooling system | Ready to launch

CHAPTER 7: Performance buyer's guide

CHAPTER 8: Engine math
Cubic-inch displacement | Calculating compression ratio | Choosing the right carburetor size | Calculating horsepower and torque | Estimating horsepower at the drags

APPENDIX A
Source guide

APPENDIX B
Workbench reference charts | S-A Design Work-A-Long sheet