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 [...]
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 [...]
Diamond Pistons has launched a new series of high-domed, high compression pistons for Ford Windsor 5.0 and 351 engines equipped with Trick Flow Twisted Wedge cylinder heads. Developed for weekend warriors and budget bracket racers with either naturally aspirated oe nitrous engines, the new slugs are supplied with 4130 wrist pins and spiral locks, or [...]
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.
The camshaft was checked with a degree wheel. Crane did one heck of a nice job grinding this bumpstick. Lift and timing moments were dead-on to the cam card. With our crank snout pinned for the damper, the timing cover was installed using ARP’s front cover kit (12-point stainless). The front coolant balance tube assembly [...]
PROJECT LS2, PART 4 This has proven to be a fairly easy build. The LS series-both Gen III and IV-shows definite promise. by Mike Mavrigian all photos by author Our LS is now ready for induction and ignition.At this point, our LS2 is a complete longblock. Here, we’ll cover a number of subjects leading up [...]
All head studs were installed finger-tight. Our taller-than-OE Crane roller lifters required the use of spacer washers between the block and lifter buckets. The oiled roller lifters are inserted into the OE plastic lifter buckets. These register flat-to-flat, orienting the lifters properly for roller bearing operation at the lobes. With all four lifters snapped into [...]
I opted to install the crank gear at the zero timing mark, but this gear allows adjustment +/- 4 degrees. Our timing chain setup installed. With No. 1 rod pin at TDC, the timing dot on the cam gear is at 6 o’clock, and the ) mark on the crank gear is at 12 o’clock. [...]
PISTON/ROD INSTALLATION With the cylinder bores wiped clean with a lint-free towel, apply a light coat of engine oil to the walls. After making sure that the connecting rod and cap saddles are clean and dry, install the rod bearings to the rod and cap and coat the exposed bearing surfaces with oil (I used [...]
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 [...]
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