When your pride is on the line at the track, it's good to know that you have the best engine possible in your racecar. Whether you're racing on dirt or pavement, whatever class you run, you know that it takes power and reliability to make it to victory circle. Tapping into the knowledge and expertise of some of racing's top engine builders, the author delivers the information you need to put your engine at the front of the field.
This book is chock full of tips and tricks that will have your engine making more power--reliably--than the competition. It covers parts selection, block prep, short block assembly, advice on how to get the best results from your machine work, port work, camshaft and valvetrain parts and prep, oiling system recommendations, final assembly, and more. Readers will also benefit from the advice of top engine builder Keith Dorton, and will follow the builds ofan all-aluminum 800-hp dirt-track motor by Clements Racing Engines, a NASCAR Late Model Stock-style restricted motor from Charlie's Automotive, and a Street-Stock engine by KT Engines.
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Setting Up Shop
Tools
Measurement Tools
Chapter 2: Block Preparation and Machining
The Engine
Block Choices
Identifying Core Shift
Installing Freeze Plugs
Boring the Cam Tunnel
Decking the Block
Boring the Cylinders
Boring the Lifter Bores
Stress Relieving the Block
Final Honing
Cleaning
Polish the Oil Galleries
Final Checks
Chapter 3: Short Block Assembly
Crankshaft Considerations
Connecting Rods
Working with Rod/Stroke Ratios
Rod Prep
Rod Bolt Stretch
Pistons
Balancing
Balance Versus Overbalance
Piston Rings
Installing the Crank
Rod and Piston Assembly
Chapter 4: Cylinder Heads and the Valvetrain
Cylinder Head Machine Work
Decking
Valveguides
Spring Seats
Screw-In Rocker Studs
Valve Seats
Valvespring Seat Versus Nose Pressures
Adjusting Spring Pressures
Valvespring Coil Bind
Installing the Cam Bearings
Installing the Cam
Determining Pushrod Length
Camshaft Timing
Intake Centerline Method
Finding Piston TDC
Measuring Valve Movement
Piston-to-Valve Clearance
Chapter 5: Street Stock Engine Build
The Block
Rotating Assembly
Cylinder Heads and Valvetrain
Ignition
The Spec Sheet
Chapter 6: NASCAR Late Model Stock Engine Build
The Block
Rotating Assembly
Cylinder Heads and Valvetrain
Oiling
The Spec Sheet
Chapter 7: Dirt Late Model Engine Build
The Block
Rotating Assembly
Valvetrain
Ignition
The Spec Sheet
Chapter 8: Break-in, Regular Maintenance and Teardown
Break-In
Regular Maintenance
Teardown and Rebuild
Engine Build Sheet
Source Guide
When your pride is on the line at the track, it's good to know that you have the best engine possible in your racecar. Whether you're racing on dirt or pavement, whatever class you run, you know that it takes power and reliability to make it to victory circle. Tapping into the knowledge and expertise of some of racing's top engine builders, the author delivers the information you need to put your engine at the front of the field.
This book is chock full of tips and tricks that will have your engine making more power--reliably--than the competition. It covers parts selection, block prep, short block assembly, advice on how to get the best results from your machine work, port work, camshaft and valvetrain parts and prep, oiling system recommendations, final assembly, and more. Readers will also benefit from the advice of top engine builder Keith Dorton, and will follow the builds ofan all-aluminum 800-hp dirt-track motor by Clements Racing Engines, a NASCAR Late Model Stock-style restricted motor from Charlie's Automotive, and a Street-Stock engine by KT Engines.
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Setting Up Shop
Tools
Measurement Tools
Chapter 2: Block Preparation and Machining
The Engine
Block Choices
Identifying Core Shift
Installing Freeze Plugs
Boring the Cam Tunnel
Decking the Block
Boring the Cylinders
Boring the Lifter Bores
Stress Relieving the Block
Final Honing
Cleaning
Polish the Oil Galleries
Final Checks
Chapter 3: Short Block Assembly
Crankshaft Considerations
Connecting Rods
Working with Rod/Stroke Ratios
Rod Prep
Rod Bolt Stretch
Pistons
Balancing
Balance Versus Overbalance
Piston Rings
Installing the Crank
Rod and Piston Assembly
Chapter 4: Cylinder Heads and the Valvetrain
Cylinder Head Machine Work
Decking
Valveguides
Spring Seats
Screw-In Rocker Studs
Valve Seats
Valvespring Seat Versus Nose Pressures
Adjusting Spring Pressures
Valvespring Coil Bind
Installing the Cam Bearings
Installing the Cam
Determining Pushrod Length
Camshaft Timing
Intake Centerline Method
Finding Piston TDC
Measuring Valve Movement
Piston-to-Valve Clearance
Chapter 5: Street Stock Engine Build
The Block
Rotating Assembly
Cylinder Heads and Valvetrain
Ignition
The Spec Sheet
Chapter 6: NASCAR Late Model Stock Engine Build
The Block
Rotating Assembly
Cylinder Heads and Valvetrain
Oiling
The Spec Sheet
Chapter 7: Dirt Late Model Engine Build
The Block
Rotating Assembly
Valvetrain
Ignition
The Spec Sheet
Chapter 8: Break-in, Regular Maintenance and Teardown
Break-In
Regular Maintenance
Teardown and Rebuild
Engine Build Sheet
Source Guide