She’s done. In this article, we’ll cover crankshaft balancing, valvetrain and crankshaft assembly.
How do you like the plug wire routing? I’ll cover this in a later article installment. I’m considering having the water pump pulleys polished and chrome plated. By the way, the water pump/alternator belt pulley alignment is perfect. If the belt looks whacky [...]
Our flattie is almost finished. Compared to an original, she’s looking pretty snazzy.
Build, text and photos by Mike Mavrigian
The Ford flathead was a popular platform for early rodders, and basically started the hot rod and performance engine movement. The engine production ran from 1937 through 1953, with one of the most popular versions being the [...]
All main studs are installed finger-tight, with just an added scooch to make sure they’re seated.
The main caps slid on easily, with no stud splaying interference.
Be careful when installing the main caps. Each cap is numbered for location, as is the block. Be sure to install caps with cap numbers on the same side of [...]
LS PROJECT, PART 2
BLOCK PREP AND BALANCING
by Mike Mavrigian
all photos by author
We swapped out the OE torque-plus-angle main cap bolts for a set of ARP studs. This will provide added strength and will eliminate wear on the block’s female threads during future servicing.
I recently visited Gressman Powersports where Scott Gressman decked our block, honed the [...]
A precision mounting plate is installed to the rear of the block. This accurately locates the block to the machine’s base fixture.
A centering bar is inserted through the main bores.
The main bore centering bar is bushed to accommodate the specific block’s main bore diameter.
A camshaft tunnel centering bar helps the machine to locate the block. [...]
CNC-MACHINING AN ENGINE BLOCK
A step-by-step overview of a
specific block being machined
on a CNC from start to finish.
by Mike Mavrigian
all photos by author
CNC machines vary in terms of footprint size and axis capabilities.
Thinking about taking the plunge and buying a CNC (computer numeric control) machine? Or have you wondered what’s involved in machining a block on [...]
CARBURETOR/FUEL PLUMBING
Our big-gulp carb is Holley’s Ultra Dominator (P/N 0-80673), an 1,150 cfm race carb that features billet metering blocks, three-circuit metering, mechanical secondaries and oversized sight windows for easy float adjustment. Recommended fuel pressure is 5-7.5 psi. The anodized billet metering blocks feature changeable idle feed restrictors for easier tuning of the idle system [...]
HOW DO I USE THE MACHINE?
If you opt for a “universal” CNC machine, you’ll need extensive training to learn the computer “coding” language required to create programs. However, if you choose a CNC machine that was designed specifically for use by engine builders, operation and the overall learning curve is much simplified, since programs for [...]
COMPUTER-AIDED BLOCK MACHINING
by Mike Mavrigian
One of the prime benefits of owning a CNC machine is the capability of accurizing an engine block to “blueprint” specifications in terms of correct centerline placements.
(photo courtesy Sunnen)
A full-blown CNC machining center, such as this Sunnen/RMC V40, expands shop capabilities to include not only block and head work, but manifold [...]
BALANCING
Our crank was balanced at Gressman Powersports. Scott Gressman handled the job using his Sunnen Pro-Bal balancer.
We began by first weighing all components (pistons, pins, locks, rings, bearings, rods). The Diamond pistons required no correction at all, with the entire set weighing in at 542 grams, +/- 0.5 grams). The Lunati rods, though initially matched [...]
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