Sunnen Products’ new SV-490 hone brings true 90-inch (2286 mm) vertical stroke and end-to-end dwelling capabilities to the machining of bores up to 8 inches (200 mm) diameter on large aerospace, energy and hydraulic components. The machine is equipped with a 7.5 kW (10 hp) 5-500 rpm variable speed spindle and a 7.5 kW (10 hp) 1-130 strokes-per-minute DC stroker, capable of producing 3000-lbs (1360 kg) thrust. The servo-controlled rotary tool feed system produces 225 lbf-in (25.4 Nm) of torque for fast, accurate machining with diamond and superabrasive tools. The feed system can be optimized for each application by either operating as a rate system or feeding to a constant spindle load. This capability, coupled with the standard features such as sizing, sparkout, crosshatch, and two-stage honing allows users to tailor machine operations to the tooling/abrasive combination best suited to the application. These features compensate for part variation and allow the SV-490 to produce more consistent surface finishes with better tool life and optimized cycle time.

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Edelbrock’s popular single-quad manifold and carb kits have been a big hit. Due to popular demand, Edelbrock has now made their popular induction upgrade kits available in their standard aluminum satin finish for a timeless and traditional look.

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MAHLE’S GM LS3/L92 4.100″ stroke engine PowerPak piston assemblies are available in both high and low compression applications. Machined from MAHLE’s exclusive stronger, lighter, low drag slipper skirt forgings, each of MAHLE’s PowerPak pistons are made in America. Additionally, the ring grooves are machined on MAHLE-manufactured machinery resulting in the flattest, best sealing ring grooves in the industry. Each piston is dual coated first with a Phosphate dry film lubricant to eliminate mico-welding, then the skirts are coated with MAHLE’s proprietary Grafal cushioning, anti-friction skirt coating. Every PowerPak assembly comes complete with dual coated pistons, German steel pins, race proven round wire locks and a performance ring set.

Trend Performance has introduced what they believe to be the world’s first self-lubricating 5/16in hard-tip competition pushrods.

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THE FINAL ASSEMBLY

by Mike Mavrigian

Our intent with this build is to illustrate how you can take advantage of current LS (mechanical) technology, and still create a somewhat old school traditional appearance, grabbing in the range of 450 HP, all without breaking the bank. In terms of exterior finish, we intentionally “relaxed” our normal attention to visual detail, in an effort to somewhat simulate what the factory might have produced on a production line (we suppressed our urge to dress the surfaces). As a result, we did not take the time to smooth out the casting exterior surfaces (opting not to eliminate casting flashings or polishing out uneven surfaces). Paint-wise, we followed the same approach. We purposefully did not attempt to create a show finish.

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Build, text and photos by Mike Mavrigian

The Pontiac 455, bored/stroked to 501 CID, is finally completed. This article covers all remaining aspects of the assembly. Next is the dyno run, which I’ll cover in an upcoming article.

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The Pontiac is being completed today, getting ready for display.

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Both current project engines, including the “Retro” LS engine and the Pontiac 455 will be on display at the upcoming Hot Rod & Restoration show in Indianapolis. This year’s show is held at the Lucas Stadium complex, adjacent to the Indianapolis Convention Center, March 23-24, 2012.

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Note: Both current engine projects will also appear in upcoming issues of Hot Rod & Restoration magazine!

BUT WAIT….THERE’S MORE:

In addition, two previously built project engines will also be displayed, including the famed custom “street rod” 383 CID engine and the red & tasty Ford flathead engine.

All four engines built by Mike Mavrigian at his Birchwood Automotive facility in Ohio (www.birchwoodautomotive.com)

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Build, text and photos by Mike Mavrigian

Note: This engine, as well as all of our engine projects, is designed, test-fit and assembled by Mike Mavrigian’s Birchwood Automotive facility in Creston, OH.

Now that the block, oil pan, valley cover

plate and timing cover have been painted,

we can begin final assembly.

Regardless of how clean you think the block may be, don’t assume anything. Take the time to perform one final block wash/rinse/dry. Once the block is clean, immediately apply a thin coat of oil to the cylinder walls to prevent surface rusting (apply clean engine oil to a clean, lint-free paper towel and wipe each bore).

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Goodson Tools & Supplies for Engine Builders Tapered Wrist Pin Bushing Press Kit is designed to remove and replace tapered bushings in diesel applications with wrist pin diameters up to 54mm. The press base is designed to work with a shop’s hydraulic press to ease tapered pins into and out of connecting rod eyes.

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Before NASCAR announced that Sprint Cup cars would be using electronic fuel injection in 2012, some racing teams – Hendrick Motorsports and Penske Racing, for instance – had already turned to the world leader in electronic fuel injection technology, Bosch, to prepare fuel-injected V-8 engines as test beds. These engines, utilizing Bosch components, duplicated the pending NASCAR engine with electronic fuel injection.

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