Engine Building
Engine building content covering short-block and long-block assembly, clearances, cam selection, and the tools it takes to do it right.
26
Builds
114
Knowledge
Popular Questions
How do I know if the timing cover gasket is properly sealed?What causes a rod bearing clearance to be too tight?Can I use a cutting tap instead of a thread chaser?How important is degreeing the cam?How do I know if a bolt hole is too damaged to chase?Why do you file piston rings instead of buying pre-gapped rings?How much end gap should I aim for on a SBC 350?How much material should I remove when filing a ring?What if my main clearances are out of spec?How do I prime hydraulic lifters before installation?
Builds
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 10 | Checking out a new intake and talking about things left to do
This 65 Mustang Keeps Throwing Curveballs
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 6 | This Is How It's Actually Supposed To Be Done
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt.3 | Filing rings and checking main clearances
Cub Cadet Ultima Z2 54 5 hour +some maintenance video
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt.5 | Continued frustrations with rod clearances
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 11 | Installing the intake manifold and figuring out sbc nuisances
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 7 | Checking Crank Clearance and installing the rods.
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 8 | Installing Camshaft and timing components
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt.1 | Lifting This Engine Without Breaking It
Finally solved this 2012 mustang GT idle issue!
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt.2 | Chasing the Head Bolts
Fixing Misfire Issues: 2012 Mustang GT Coil Pack Swap
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 9 | Installing lifters and heads
2012 Mustang GT Spark Plugs BURIED in Oil - Here's What Happened
65 Mustang oil change almost turned into a disaster
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 12 | Checking pushrod length and installing pushrods
PT1 - 2012 coyote timing cover gasket reseal
Routine oil change on a 2013 F150 goes wrong
Reassembling The Timing Cover On A 2012 Mustang GT
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt.4 | Rod Bearing Clearance Check Goes Wrong
PT3 3 - Pulling the valve covers and timing cover of a Gen 1 Coyote to replace gaskets
PT2 - 2012 Mustang GT Timing Cover gasket replacement
Honda GXV surging idle? Fix it in minutes!
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 15 | Installing the harmonic balancer and testing the oil pump
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 14 | Installing the oil pump, timing cover and oil pan
Vehicles
Knowledge
How do I know if the timing cover gasket is properly sealed?What causes a rod bearing clearance to be too tight?Can I use a cutting tap instead of a thread chaser?How important is degreeing the cam?How do I know if a bolt hole is too damaged to chase?Why do you file piston rings instead of buying pre-gapped rings?How much end gap should I aim for on a SBC 350?How much material should I remove when filing a ring?What if my main clearances are out of spec?How do I prime hydraulic lifters before installation?What torque sequence and values should I use for SBC 350 heads?How can I tell if a lifter is the correct type for my cam?What signs indicate a problem after installing heads and lifters?How often should I change the oil on the Cub Cadet Ultima Z2 54?What clearance issues are common on SBC intake installs?What do I do if I see RTV squeeze-out into oil passages?What torque specs should I use for oil pump, timing cover and oil pan bolts?How do I know the oil pump pickup is positioned correctly?What does 'throwing curveballs' mean for the project?How do I know if the fuel pump is bad on a 1965 Mustang?What oil viscosity should I use for a 1965 Mustang?How much oil does a 1965 Mustang take?What oil type and how much does a 2013 F-150 take?How tight should I torque the drain plug and oil filter?Can I drive the truck immediately after topping off the oil?What commonly causes a GXV engine to have a surging idle?How do I adjust the mixture screw and idle safely?Can I reuse the old gasket or bolts?What should I check after reassembling the timing cover?How long will this job take for a DIYer?How accurate is Plastigage for measuring bearing clearance?What torque specs should I use for the valve cover bolts?How difficult is the timing cover portion of this job?What torque specs should I use for the timing cover bolts?What is the acceptable rod bearing clearance for a Small Block Chevy 350?How long will a timing cover gasket reseal on a Coyote take?What fluids do I need to buy for this job?What bearing clearance should I aim for on a Small Block Chevy 350?How do I set lifter preload or hydraulic lash?What torque should I use for the coil mounting bolt?How tight should rocker nuts be?What torque specs should I use for the cam thrust plate and timing cover?What if the drain plug or pan threads are stripped?How tight should I torque the drain plug and oil filter?How do I tell if the oil change was successful after completing the job?What should I do if the drain plug is rounded or seized?How much time and money should I expect to fix a surging GXV idle?How do I know if the PCV grommet is bad?Can I reuse the existing rod bolts?How does Plastigauge work and is it accurate enough?What torque should I use for rod bolts?What torque sequence and values should I use for SBC heads?What should I do to prepare the engine for first start and break-in?What are the safest lifting points on a Small Block Chevy 350?Can I lift the engine with the transmission attached?How do I avoid cracking the oil pan while lifting?What should I do if the engine binds while lifting?How do I know when the pushrod length is correct?How do you test an oil pump on the bench?How do I know if my rod clearances are too tight or too loose?Can I file or grind my rods myself to correct interference?What causes repeated rod clearance problems on a SBC 350?How do I know the timing marks are aligned correctly?How do I check cam endplay?What should I do if a measured clearance is out of spec?What torque spec and sequence should I use for an SBC 350 intake manifold?What torque should I use on the crankshaft bolt?What causes oil to fill the spark plug wells?Can I drive the car if the plugs are covered in oil?Do I need to remove the intake manifold to remove the valve covers?Do I always need to rebuild the carburetor to fix surging?Do I need to replace the spark plug when replacing a coil?Will I have to drop the coolant or remove the water pump to replace the timing cover gasket?Do I need a special tool to check pushrod length?Is it necessary to change the oil filter at the 5-hour service?Is Plastigage accurate enough for final clearance checks?Do I need to replace lifters when installing a new cam?Any tips for preventing vacuum/fuel leaks after installation?Do I need RTV sealant when installing intake gaskets?Do I need to replace the crankshaft front seal when reassembling the timing cover?Is plastigauge accurate enough for checking main clearances?Should I use a gasket or RTV for the timing cover and oil pan?Do I need to replace the ignition coils too?Is this an expensive repair?Do I need ARP head studs or are stock head bolts okay?Do I need to rebuild the carburetor if the car runs rough?Do I need to remove the engine or major mounts to access the timing cover?Where do I find the correct torque specs and sequence?Do I need special tools to replace the timing cover gasket?Should I use a gasket, RTV, or both when reinstalling the timing cover?Do I need to prime the oil pump before first start?Do I need to replace my head bolts or can I reuse them?If clearance is out of spec, what are my options?Do I need a load leveler?Should I replace the crankshaft seal when installing the balancer?When should I replace rod bolts?How do I safely remove the deck blades?Can I just clean the throttle body to fix the idle?What safety steps should I take before working under the Mustang?Can I reuse the old valve cover gaskets?Can I clear the code and drive without replacing the coil?How long will the repair take?How do I know which coil is bad?Can I reuse the Plastigage after one measurement?What does 'chasing the head bolts' mean?Can I reuse old pushrods?What oil weight should I use?What usually causes a rough idle on a 2012 Mustang GT?What are signs of a bad harmonic balancer?Can I reuse the old gasket and seals?Can a bad spark plug cause surging idle?What hoist capacity do I need for a SBC 350?What else is left to finish the build after installing the intake?What torque spec should I use for intake bolts?
Parts (50)
| Head gaskets (MLS) | Fel-Pro (typical) |
| ARP head studs/bolts | ARP |
| Timing set (chain and gears) | Cloyes (typical) |
| Oil pump | Melling (typical) |
| Intake manifold | Edelbrock (Performer typical) |
| Carburetor (4-barrel) | Holley (typical) |
| Pushrods | |
| Harmonic balancer (damper) | |
| Oil pump (mechanical) | Melling (typical aftermarket) |
| Crankshaft key (Woodruff or rectangular key) | |
| Crankshaft bolt | |
| Front crankshaft seal | |
| Rod bearing set (std/undersize as needed) | |
| Lifters (roller or hydraulic) | |
| Harmonic balancer / crank pulley | |
| Valve cover gaskets | Fel-Pro (typical) |
| Misc gasket and seal kit (timing cover, oil pan, front seals) | Fel-Pro (typical) |
| Intake manifold gasket set | |
| Carburetor or throttle-body (depending on setup) | |
| Intake bolt kit / hardware | |
| RTV / sealant (for thermostat housing or specific sealing points) | |
| Assembly lube | |
| Crankshaft (replacement or reman) / Crank grinding (if required) | |
| Main bearing set | |
| Head bolt set (replacement) | |
| Head gasket set (MLS or OEM) | |
| Penetrating oil / solvent | |
| Shop rags / cleaning supplies | |
| Piston ring set | |
| Plastigauge (assorted) | |
| Throttle body gasket / O-ring | Motorcraft / aftermarket |
| PCV valve / valve cover grommet | Motorcraft / aftermarket |
| Vacuum hose (assorted) | generic |
| Brake cleaner / contact cleaner (for quick spray checks) | generic |
| Dielectric grease | |
| Valve cover gasket set with spark plug tube seals | Motorcraft (typical OEM for Ford) / aftermarket equivalents |
| Spark plugs (set of 8) | NGK / Motorcraft |
| RTV silicone sealant (small tube) | |
| Engine degreaser / shop towels | |
| Hydraulic Engine Hoist (shop crane) | Harbor Freight / generic |
| Engine Stand (360-degree swivel) | Sunex / Harbor Freight |
| Load Leveler / Engine Leveler | OTC / generic |
| Grade 80 Lifting Chain / Engine Sling | Generic |
| Swivel Hoist Hook / Quick Link | Generic |
| Engine Stand Adapter Plate / Balancer Bolt | Generic |
| Lifting Eye Bolts / Bolt Kit | Generic |
| Oil Drain Pan | Generic |
| Safety Straps / Ratchet Straps | Generic |
| Head gasket set (pair) | |
| Hydraulic lifter set |
Tools (50)
| Torque wrench | Snap-on (example) |
| Engine degree wheel and dial indicator | |
| Engine stand | |
| Feeler gauges | |
| Camshaft/valve spring compressor (if needed) | |
| Assembly lube | Motor Medic / Royal Purple (examples) |
| Gloves & Safety Glasses | Generic |
| Socket Set (metric & SAE) | Craftsman / Snap-on |
| Impact Wrench (12V/air) | Milwaukee / Ingersoll Rand |
| Breaker Bar / Torque Wrench | Snap-on / Craftsman |
| Pry Bar | Vaughan / OTC |
| Floor Jack & Jack Stands | Hein-Werner / generic |
| Creeper / Work Mat | Generic |
| Engine Hoist (listed in parts) | Harbor Freight / generic |
| Engine Stand (listed in parts) | Sunex / Harbor Freight |
| Socket set and ratchet | |
| Feeler gauge / dial indicator | |
| Magnet or lifter tray | |
| Clean shop rags / solvent | |
| Ratchet and socket set | |
| OBD-II scanner / code reader | |
| Ratchet | |
| 10mm socket | |
| Extension bar | |
| Spark plug socket (5/8" or 13/16") | |
| Adjustable pushrod checking tool / pushrod checker | |
| Feeler gauge / valve lash gauge (if checking lash) | |
| Magnet pickup / shop rag | |
| Ratchet and socket set (SAE/metric as needed) | |
| Socket and ratchet set | |
| Harmonic balancer installer (press/driver style) | |
| Socket set and breaker bar | |
| Electric drill (for bench-priming oil pump) | |
| Bench vise or pump test fixture | |
| Oil catch container and hoses | |
| Clean rags and assembly lube | |
| Gasket scraper / razor blade | |
| Shop rags / solvent | |
| Micrometer (0-1") | |
| Dial bore gauge / dial indicator | |
| Plastigage | |
| Die grinder / sanding tool | |
| Basic hand tools (sockets, ratchets, breakers) | |
| Gasket scraper / razor | |
| Shop rags / brake cleaner | |
| Torque angle gauge or marking tool | |
| Oil drain pan | |
| Funnel | |
| Blade balancer or bench grinder (for sharpening) | |
| C-clamp or blade clamp |