Small Block Chevy
The Small Block Chevy is one of the most popular American V8 platforms ever built. Here's ZachRoyGarage's SBC engine build content and know-how.
15
Builds
68
Knowledge
Popular Questions
What clearance issues are common on SBC intake installs?What causes a rod bearing clearance to be too tight?What torque spec and sequence should I use for an SBC 350 intake manifold?What torque should I use on the crankshaft bolt?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?
Builds
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 10 | Checking out a new intake and talking about things left to do
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
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
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt.2 | Chasing the Head Bolts
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 13 | Installing fuel pump and figuring out I missed some parts
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 9 | Installing lifters and heads
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 12 | Checking pushrod length and installing pushrods
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt.4 | Rod Bearing Clearance Check Goes Wrong
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
What clearance issues are common on SBC intake installs?What causes a rod bearing clearance to be too tight?What torque spec and sequence should I use for an SBC 350 intake manifold?What torque should I use on the crankshaft bolt?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 accurate is Plastigage for measuring bearing clearance?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 is the acceptable rod bearing clearance for a Small Block Chevy 350?How do I know if my Small Block Chevy uses a mechanical or electric fuel pump?What bearing clearance should I aim for on a Small Block Chevy 350?How do I set lifter preload or hydraulic lash?How tight should rocker nuts be?What torque specs should I use for the cam thrust plate and timing cover?What torque should I use on the fuel pump mounting bolts?What should I check if the pump doesn't flow fuel after installation?How do I test for leaks safely after installation?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?Should I replace the crankshaft seal when installing the balancer?Where do I find the correct torque specs and sequence?Should I use a gasket or RTV for the timing cover and oil pan?Do I need ARP head studs or are stock head bolts okay?Do I need a special tool to check pushrod length?Is Plastigage accurate enough for final clearance checks?Is plastigauge accurate enough for checking main clearances?Do I need to replace lifters when installing a new cam?If clearance is out of spec, what are my options?Do I need to prime the oil pump before first start?Do I need RTV sealant when installing intake gaskets?Any tips for preventing vacuum/fuel leaks after installation?Do I need to replace my head bolts or can I reuse them?Do I need a load leveler?When should I replace rod bolts?What are signs of a bad harmonic balancer?Can I reuse the Plastigage after one measurement?Can I reuse old pump mounting bolts or gasket?What does 'chasing the head bolts' mean?What hoist capacity do I need for a SBC 350?Can I reuse old pushrods?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) | |
| Mechanical fuel pump | Airtex (or equivalent) |
| Fuel pump mounting gasket | Fel-Pro (or equivalent) |
| Mounting bolts/studs and nuts set | |
| Fuel hose (3/8" ID recommended) | |
| Hose clamps (pair) | |
| Inline fuel filter | |
| Gasket maker / RTV or thread sealant | |
| 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 | |
| Cylinder heads (pair) | |
| Head bolts / studs |
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 | |
| 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 | |
| Breaker bar / ratchet and socket set (including deep sockets for head bolts) | |
| Engine stand (engine removed from vehicle) | |
| Dial micrometer / outside micrometer | |
| Dial bore gauge or telescoping gauge | |
| Thread chaser / bottoming tap for head bolt holes | |
| Compressed air or hand pump | |
| Wire brush / small nylon brush | |
| Ring filer / hand file | |
| Micrometer / inside micrometer |