This installment in our LS 5.3L “retro build” covers installation of our hydraulic roller lifters, cylinder heads, pushrods and rocker arms, completing the valvetrain. . Build, text and photos by Mike Mavrigian . CYLINDER HEADS While there’s nothing to complain about with the original casting number 862 aluminum heads (GM P/N 12559862), making them flow [...]
WE COMPLETE THE SHORT BLOCK Build, text and photos by Mike Mavrigian In this build installment, I’ll cover camshaft, timing, oil pump, windage tray, oil pickup, front and rear engine covers, oil pan installation and more. Due to the length of this article, I’ll save cylinder head details and installation in the next part of this build [...]
WE BUILD AN LS ENGINE ON A BUDGET AND TRANSFORM THE MODERN ENGINE INTO A RETRO MOTOR THAT HARKS BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS IN THE PROCESS. BASICALLY, WE’RE BUILDING A CARBURETED 327 CID LS ENGINE, WITH CUSTOM TOUCHES THAT REMIND US OF AN EARLY 1960′S SMALLBLOCK CHEVY We started with an [...]
The flattie, adorned with chrome plated headers from Red’s Headers. These pipes fit like a dream. I thought I’d provide an update with regard to both the Ford flathead build (which has already appeared as a 5-part series on precisionenginetech.com and in the latest issue of Hot Rod & Restoration magazine), as well as [...]
For 2011, I’ve decided to produce two new engine projects, each of which will provide handy and informative tips for our readers. Naturally, each build will be presented in our normal manner…as a multi-part series of technical articles. The new projects for this year include a Pontiac 455 and a “Budget LS” build.
Build, text and photos by Mike Mavrigian It’s time to talk about the fuel system on our little 8BA. I chose a triple-deuce setup, using three Barry Grant Demon 98 2-bbl carbs. The center-mounted carb serves as the primary carburetor (P/N 9801), and the front and rear carbs serve as secondaries (P/N 9802). The [...]
(l to r) Scott Overlund, Engine Pro; Brent Walk, Dart Machinery; Nick Weed, Performance Engineering; Tom Stuyvesant, Engine Pro; Dave Lorentz, engine winner; Tom DeBlasis, Hastings Manufacturing; Paul Hauglie, Melling Engine Parts; Shane Turner , JE/SRP; Jeff Hutchinson, Pro Finish Powder Coating The winner of the Engine Pro $20,000 engine giveaway at US [...]
THE DYNO RUN Build, text and photos by Mike Mavrigian . Well, we finally ran this engine on dyno. The dyno location was Platinum Engine Designs in Norwich, Ohio, a clean-as-a-whistle top-notch race engine shop in southeast Ohio, equipped with a late-model SuperFlow engine dyno.
The final product is a bit more enhanced than the in-progress photo shown here. I’ll discuss our chrome water pump upgrade, the final custom alternator setup and the complete fuel system setup in the next article. ….. This installment of our Ford Flathead series discusses the timing cover/distributor housing, setup and installation of the MSD [...]
I’ve decided to have the water pumps and pulleys polished and chrome plated. This will provide additional visual appeal. Engine build, text and photos by Mike Mavrigian In this series installment, I’ll discuss final installation of the rods and pistons, the oil pump and pan, timing cover, water pumps and cylinder heads.
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