We machine the block, balance the crank and check clearances.

 The Dart Iron Eagle 351W block is a precision-cast and raw-machined product of unparalleled quality. Dart provides a bit of extra deck height and minimal bore diameter, allowing the builder to precisely achieve desired dimensions.

By Mike Mavrigian

 all photos by author

CYLINDER BORES AND BLOCK DECK MACHINING

Our block was finish-machined by Scott Gressman at Gressman Powersports (Fremont, OH…a mere 80 mile drive west of my shop).

Cylinder boring and deck surfacing was handled on Gressman’s RMC CNC machine, taking advantage of RMC’s block blueprint software for the Dart 351W Iron Eagle block.

Our Dart Iron Eagle 351W block was delivered with 4.000” rough-machined bores. Our JE pistons (P/N 232474) feature a skirt diameter of 4.1205”. JE recommends a piston to bore clearance of 0.005”, so our bores required a finished size of 4.1255”.

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Following years of extensive R&D, the engineering team at ARP® has developed a revolutionary new high performance fastener assembly lubricant that is superior to commonly used oil, moly and other lubes. ARP Ultra-Torque® allows builders to torque fasteners within 5% of their required preload on the first “pull,” virtually eliminating “preload scatter,” and ensures exacting fastener-to-fastener preload consistency.

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Produced from 4130 chrome-molybdenum thick-wall tubes and developed as a one-piece, pre-formed, centerless ground pushrod, Trend Performance unveils the first premium 7/16 double-tapered pushrod at an affordable price.

Available from 6.000- to 13.000-inches long, and in increments of 0.025-inch, these new premium pushrods are now affordable because they are made in production quantities and available as shelf-stock items.

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EngineQuest^® (EQ^®), a leading supplier of stock and performance cylinder heads and engine components, has announced the winners of their 2009 PRI Show Cylinder Head and Prize Vault Giveaway promotion. The grand prize, a new set of cylinder heads, was awarded to Cathy Ewing of Ewing Auto Machine. The second and third place winners, Stan Chambliss and Darryl Felps, both of Santel Motorsports, will receive EQ branded merchandise including an EQ decal, tee shirt, hat and pen.

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Goodson announces its release of Honing Stones & Silicon Compound. For honing High-Silicon Aluminum alloy blocks with ease. These stones will fit both the Sunnen® AN-112 and AN-815 and the Goodson HN-218 and HN-2118HD Portable Honing Mandrels. Use each stone set progressively until the final bore size is achieved. To create the final condition, coat the felt set and the honed cylinder surface with the Silicon Compound (AN-30) and lap the cylinders. After completion, the cylinder will have a dull matte finish and the piston and rings will ride on silicon instead of aluminum. Check out the complete instructions online at http://goodson.com/technical_support/instructions.php and look for AN-30. Or call toll free, 800-533-8010 for more information.

Goodson announces its release of Power Building Videos on DVD. The Rotating Assemblies, 2 DVD set includes highly detailed, easy to understand information on parts selection and more. The Engine Building 3 DVD set includes a stock Small Block Chevy and a mild performance Small Block Ford. See our website, www.goodson.com or call us toll free, 800-533-8010 for more information.

Goodson announces its release of the Diamond Valve Guide Flex-Hones®. Combines the flexibility of a Flex-Hone with the speed of a diamond. These 400 grit Flex-Hones® are made with highly friable resin bond diamond crystals for the more demanding finish requirements of hard materials. Applications include: Heat treated steel, High nickel stainless steel, Chromed or plated bores, MMX aluminum alloys, and Ceramic & Carbide. Other grits are also available by special order, call toll free 800-533-8010 for ordering details.

EngineQuest^® (EQ^®), a leading supplier of stock and performance cylinder heads and engine components, has renewed as the title sponsor of the IMCA Wild West Modified Tour for 2010. In addition, EQ continues as a general sponsor of IMCA racing. EQ is the exclusive supplier of the Spec Chevy 350 cylinder head in the IMCA Northern and Southern Sport Mod Divisions as well as the Hobby Stock Division.

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Introduction of the new Gold Performance Engine Bearings gives KING Engine Bearings, Inc. three complete race bearing families to meet almost any performance engine-building challenge.

Gold Performance main and connecting rod bearings were first unveiled at the Performance Racing Industry Show, December 10-12, 2009.  They join KING’s existing Xtreme Performance and Pro Series as high performance bearings for street, strip, circle track racing and more.

“Each of these three bearing families is ‘best’,” explains Michael James, spokesman for KING Engine Bearings, Inc.  “Each design has its own strengths and specific uses, to help race engine builders do two things: solve problems with their existing performance bearings, and do more creative things with an engine that weren’t previously possible.”

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KING Engine Bearings, Inc. announces Gold Performance Engine Bearings – a dramatic new advance in race engine bearings that reportedly leapfrogs all previous bearing designs. According to King, these new bearings feature vastly improved fatigue strength that allows them to tolerate pressures far greater than any other performance bearing available today.

The new main and connecting rod bearings from KING feature a new and unique trimetal construction, including a proprietary particulate metal matrix composite non-Babbitt overlay with stunning new properties. While appearing in a typical gray/silver color out of the box, KING Gold Performance bearings polish to a beautiful golden luster after a short period of use, while maintaining their original tolerances and bearing clearances.

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