COMPACTED GRAPHITE ENGINE BLOCKS
These blocks offer greater strength and stability, but be aware of the machining concerns.
by Mike Mavrigian
CGI engine blocks offer greater strength and superior stability with no weight penalty. In theory, a CGI block can be produced at near-aluminum-weight while maintaining needed strength. One benefit is that cylinder walls can be made thinner [...]
Tips for avoiding things that can bite you
By John Mummert
In disassembling Y-Block core engines, I have noted a number of common mistakes that are made during the assembly of Y-Blocks during rebuild. Take care to avoid these mistakes.
The drawer design, gauge and high-quality roller bearings provide drawer movement that is effortless and extremely smooth.
If you have the budget, adding a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) air filtration system is a great idea. A HEPA filter is designed to trap at least 99.7 percent of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size. A HEPA filter approach for a ceiling tile application includes a series of overhead HEPA filters with motorized fans (these mount in the ceiling tile areas in the ceiling grid, just as the tiles mount). The fans are located overhead of the filters. These draw air that is filtered and clean into the room. In order to balance room pressure, you also need vents to draw air out of the room.
Block I.D. number generally on side of block above oil filter for blocks cast at Cleveland. Dearborn block I.D. number near distributor and above generator. Most Dearborn blocks used in trucks. No Dearborn blocks after 1957. There were no special truck blocks. Heavy-duty trucks with steel cranks used C1AE or C2AE car blocks.
The Ford Y-Block was introduced in 1954 to replace the well-know flathead. Displacement was unchanged at 239 cu. in., but the new engine had five main bearings, five cam bearings and overhead valves. Bore was 3.500″ and stroke was 3.100″ with 6.324″ connecting rods. Model year 1954 Mercury vehicles had a 256 cu. in. version with 3.625″ bore and 3.100″ stroke. Displacement was increased in 1955 to 272 cu. in. for most Ford car production.
Today’s CAD programs offer definitive X-, Y- and Z-axis depictions of specific blocks, providing you have access to these programs.
While seasoned engine builders understand what the term “blueprinting” means, chances are most of their customers don’t. Too many neophytes think that balancing and blueprinting go hand-in-hand. They blindly assume that if the crank has been Âbalanced, that must mean that the engine has been blueprinted.
all photos by author
An investment of a few hours during tube bending will pay off in achieving a neat and coordinated plumbing appearance.
The NOS nitrous pro fogger kit we installed features soft-plume-type fogger nozzles. In this view, the top inlet (in line with the discharge nozzle tube) is for extra fuel. The angled inlet is [...]
SOLENOID PLUMBING
As mentioned, two individual solenoids are involved, one for nitrous and one for the extra fuel shot. Loosely install a 1/8″ x 1/8″ NPT male nipple into the outlet port of the nitrous solenoid. Loosely install a 1/4″ NPT x 6AN nitrous filter into the inlet port of the nitrous solenoid. Trail-fit the solenoid, [...]
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