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 [...]
The FE ready for it’s dyno visit.
PROJECT FE PART 5
Text and photos by Mike Mavrigian
INTAKE MANIFOLD
With the heads installed, and before installing the rocker shaft systems, you must install the intake manifold. FE manifolds feature captive pushrod holes (the pushrods pass through the intake manifold). In order to install pushrods, the rockers must be out [...]
How long will it take to convince some folks that flat tappet cams must be “broken in” and operated over the long term with enough zinc phosphate (ZDDP) in the oiling system? Professiona engine builders should all know by now that the major oil companies have greatly reduced the amount of high-pressure ZDDP from their [...]
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 [...]
The COMP Cams billet aluminum belt tensioner is adjustable for belt tension and offers rock-solid serpentine belt guidance.
Whenever I build an engine, regardless of my confidence in terms of fitting and assembly detail, I’m always a bit apprehensive when it comes time to light the fire. But when things go picture-perfect and you hit high numbers without a single glitch, it’s a feeling that’s better than sex (I’m sure you know what I mean). This LS program proved to be a total success.
SPECIAL FIRING ORDER CAMSHAFTS
Tricks for smoother-running, longer crank bearing life, and maybe a few extra horses in the process.
by Mike Mavrigian
photos by author
The cam on the left is a standard firing order bigblock Chevy. The cam on the right is a 4/7 swap cam. Notice that the second and fourth lobes from the front are [...]
FLATHEAD FEVER
Edelbrock has released two new Flathead Ford cylinder heads. P/N 1116 is designed with a raised roof combustion chamber for 1949-53 8BA engines, CNC-machined 74 cc chamber volume (for reduced compression for supercharged applications or for those who wish to run low octane fuel in naturally aspirated engines).
P/N 1126 was designed with nostalgia in [...]
SODIUM-FILLED VALVES
Sodium-filled valves feature stems that are precision-gun-drilled and filled with a specially formulated sodium. This achieves weight reduction (the result of the gun-drilling to create a hollow stem) and better heat dispersion. There is some debate concerning the efficiency of this heat transfer due to concerns that the heat transfer to the guides increases [...]
CHOOSING THE RIGHT OIL FOR FLAT TAPPET CAM BREAK-IN
All oils are not created equal.
by Mike Mavrigian
photos by author
Avoiding flat tappet cam failure can be as simple as using the correct oil during break-in.
Chances are you’ve run into this problem first-hand, or know a builder who has shared his horror stories. We’re talking about flat tappet [...]
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