Machine Work: The Big Stuff
Block Detailing
Camshaft Bearing Installation
Block Final Work: Paint and Plugs
Identification
Measurement and Inspection
Grinding and Polishing
Balancing
Bearings and Assembly
Chapter 4: Connecting Rods, Pistons, and Rings
Aftermarket Connecting Rods
Pistons and Piston Rings
Installation and Fitting of Piston Rings
Installation of Piston Assemblies onto the Connecting Rods
Piston, Connecting Rod, and Ring Assembly Installation
Chapter 5: Camshafts, Lifters, and Timing
FE Camshaft Design Specifics
Camshaft Bearings
Lifter Selection Criteria
Cam Specs: Lift, Duration, and Lobe Separation Angle
So How Do I Pick a Cam?
Cam Thrust Plate and End Play
Timing Sets
Timing Covers
Dampers
Oil Pans and Oil Pump Pickups
Chapter 7: Cylinder Heads and Valves
Basic 360 and 390 Heads
Aftermarket Head Designs
Cylinder Head Reconditioning
Castings: Cleaning, Inspection, and Qualification
Component Selection
Valves
Valve Springs, Locators, Retainers, and Keepers
Setting and Inspecting Stem Tip Height
Valve Stem Seals
Cylinder Head Assembly
Mounting the Cylinder Heads
Head Fasteners
Chapter 8: Valvetrain Assembly
Pushrod Length Measurement
Assembling the Valvetrain
Chapter 9: Intake Manifold Selection
Fitting the Intake Manifold
Installing the Intake Manifold
Carburetor Tuning
Chapter 11: Ignition and Distributor
Installing the Distributor
Chapter 12: Pre-Oiling and Final Assembly
Oil Selection
Pre-Oiling the Engine
Valve Covers
Finishing Up: Sensors, Thermostat, PCV, Pulleys, and Belts
Chapter 14: Initial Start Up and Break-In
This book took a great deal of work and significant time to complete. Many folks helped put it together, and I want to make certain that they receive credit for their efforts and contributions. First is to Bob Wilson from CarTech. Without his efforts and tenacity, this publication would never have been completed. He will probably edit this out, but I hope he doesn’t because his efforts are very much appreciated and his recognition is highly deserved.
The folks I work with at Survival Motorsports put up with a lot during this project. Stopping a complex process in order to take photos and write out details is a significant disruption to an engine builder’s daily routine. William Blair, our lead machinist, made a huge contribution in terms of posing machining and assembly operations throughout the build. Brian Blair and Nancy Schultz helped keep the proverbial “wheels on the bus” in the shop while I was focused on the book. Marc Weiner, a former employee and longtime friend, also helped with images and with teardown and assembly assistance on the engine we featured. I cannot forget to mention Mr. Pankow, as it is his 428 CJ and 1969 Shelby GT500 that modeled for most of the images we used.
Every author thanks his or her family and I am no exception to that rule. My wife, Susan, and my three daughters, Autumn, Summer, and Lily, have spent the past months and years hearing more about Ford FE engines than they ever expected or desired to. In between their dance lessons,
