FROM SHORTBLOCK TO LONGBLOCK
CYLINDER HEADS & VALVETRAIN
Our beasty 427W is finally in longblock form.
Engine build, text and photos by Mike Mavrigian
The use of studs, as compared to bolts, provides a more accurate and consistent clamping load for the cylinder heads, and eliminates wear & tear on the block’s threaded holes during future head service.
by Mike Mavrigian
Build/assembly and all photos by author
Our Lunati roller cam features 0.544″ valve lift at intake and 0.560″ at exhaust, with duration of 232 intake and 242 exhaust. Centerline is 108 intake and 116 exhaust.
CAMSHAFT AND TIMING
Dart thoughtfully provided anti-friction-coated cam bearings with their block. Each bearing is etched with a part number, and [...]
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 [...]
One of the newest releases from HP Books is High Performance Fasteners & Plumbing, written by Mike Mavrigian. This 170-page book provides detailed, yet easy-to-read technical information on understanding all types of performance fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws, rivets, clamps, etc.) and performance plumbing for fuel, brake, oil and coolant hose, fittings, tubes, etc.
STROKIN’ THE DART WINDSOR
Our current engine project begins with a 351W block and increasing displacement to a whopping 427 CID.
Text & photos by Mike Mavrigian
The Dart 351W iron-alloy block is available in either a 9.200” (standard Cleveland) or 9.500” deck height. We opted for the 9.5” deck.
This project will serve as an example of a [...]
A Kalamazoo, MI racer added a $20,000 racing engine to his list of winnings during Engine Pro’s Engine Giveaway presented by Dart Machinery at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, MI on September 12, 2009, during the Fifth Annual IHRA Funny Car Nationals. Justin Wanamaker’s name was the last one remaining as names of the [...]
by Mike Mavrigian
FILE FITTING THE RINGS
Because of our over-honed cylinder diameters (4.263″), standard size rings wouldn’t work, so I started with a set of Total Seal rings P/N CR7190 35, supplied with our Diamond pistons. These are intended for a bore diameter of 4.268″ (1/16″ top, 1/16″ 2nd, 3/16″ oil), requiring a custom file-fit.
In terms [...]
WE BALANCE AND BEGIN ASSEMBLY
text, photos and assembly by Mike Mavrigian
Crankshaft balancing was next on the agenda. Since the Diamond pistons are already weight-matched by Diamond, and the Scat connecting rods are weight-matched at both small and big ends, we didn’t need to perform any weight corrections to those components (I double-checked all piston, rod [...]
BUILDING A STROKER 427 FE
After salvaging an original, well-worn 1966 Ford 427 side-oiler block, we begin to build a 485-cube big-dog. Bigger bore and longer stroke…whoof whoof!
by Mike Mavrigian
all photos by author
ENGINE HISTORY/GENERAL INFO
The Ford 427 “side oiler” motor was produced from 1963 through 1967, and was used in a variety of automotive performance and [...]
CARB WITH DISTRIBUTOR, NO COILPACKS
The next carb-type setup involves the same intake manifold and carburetor, but with a twist-get rid of the eight individual coilpacks and mount a distributor at the front of the engine. GM Performance offers a distributor adapter kit (P/N 88958679) that includes a cast aluminum LS front distributor drive cover (this [...]
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