Q: I have a 1985 S-10 Blazer with a carbureted 2.8L V6, 4WD, and a 4-speed manual transmission. What parts do I need to covert the truck to a small block Chevy? I know some of the parts include motor mounts and exhaust, but what about front springs, radiator, bellhousing, and wiring? Am I missing anything?
Q: I have a 1969 Chevelle with a 402 big block, a Turbo 400 transmission, and a 12-bolt rear axle with 4.56 gears. I used to run 7.20s in the eighth-mile and wanted to go faster, so I had an 8-inch converter built and a trans-brake installed. Now the converter won’t stall. It was designed to stall
Q: I recently rebuilt a Mustang 5.0L engine. I had it bored from .03o-inch over and installed a Ford Performance Parts E303 camshaft, Melling high-volume oil pump, Edelbrock intake, Holley 600 cfm carburetor, and a complete MSD Ignition system. The heads have 2.02-inch/1.60-inch valves, the headers are one-and-5/8-inch shorties, and the fuel pump is a Carter electric
I have a 302-cubic-inch small block Ford engine that I’ve inherited from a friend. It’s an older carbureted engine that I think is stock – it still has a 2-barrel carburetor. What kinds of parts should I buy like a four-barrel carburetor and maybe a big cam or something to make more power? I’m relatively new
Q: I have some questions about a torque converter for my engine combination. The car is a 1981 Malibu that weighs 3,500 pounds. It has a 388-cubic-inch small block with 11:1 forged pistons, Brodix Track One cylinder heads, Crane roller cam (260-degree/270-degree duration at .050-inch lift, .611-inch/.615-inch lift), a Holley 750 carburetor on a Weiand Team
Q: I‘ve owned a few vehicles, but I’m new to engine tuning and automotive mechanics in general. What can you tell me about ignition timing? In particular, how does advancing or retarding the timing affect performance? And what variables might affect where my timing should be set? A: Measured in crankshaft degrees, ignition timing refers to the
I’ve read something about camshafts that some cam companies grind advance into the camshaft. I thought that you could only advance the cam once it was installed in the engine? How does the cam company grind advance into the cam? L.T. Jeff Smith: This is a great question. Everyone tends to look at the intake
Q: My new battery disconnect switch has two large terminals, and two smaller terminals. How should I hook it up? A: The large terminals should be connected (in series) to positive battery cable. This will protect sensitive electronic equipment in the event of a ground failure. The smaller terminals are used to shut off power at the
Q: The 350 engine in my 1990 Chevy truck needs a flexplate. Some guys tell me it’s internally balanced, while others say it’s externally balanced. I don’t know which flexplate to order. Can you help? A: Prior to 1986, all Chevy small blocks were internally balanced (except the 400). These two-piece rear main seal engines had
A friend of mine suggested using a big-block oil pump on my small-block Chevy in order to get smoother flow and more volume with a stock volume pump? Will that work? D.B. Jeff Smith: It seems there’s quite a bit of confusion regarding oil pumps and oil pressure so let’s focus on what’s happening. We’ve
Stay Connected