Ford Big-Block Parts Interchange. George Reid

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      It goes without saying that a book like this is an enormous undertaking, taking nearly a year to write and a lifetime to research. I’ve been an automotive technical writer for most of my life and have found that I’ve never stopped learning. When I examine the first High-Performance Ford Engine Parts Interchange book written nearly 20 years ago it is proof we never stop learning. I’ve learned so much about these powerful Ford V-8 engines through the years making updates and corrections as I’ve learned back from you, our valued readers. And thanks to you, this book series has endured in the marketplace. In fact, the Ford Engine Interchange Series has performed so well that CarTech decided to break it up into separate small-block and big-block books.

      A book like this doesn’t happen without help from knowledgeable people in the industry: Jim Grubbs, Ryan Peart, Jeff Latimer, and Vinnie Vicedo of JGM Performance Engineering in Valencia, California; Jay Brown of FE Power in Minnesota; Robert Pond of Robert Pond Motorsports in Arizona; Ray McClelland of Full Throttle Kustomz in Fillmore, California; Craig Conley of Paradise Wheels; brothers Bill and Jeff Sneathan of SEMO Classic Mustang in Southeast Missouri; Dave Stribling in the great state of Indiana; and John Vermeersch of Total Performance just outside of Detroit.

      Special thanks to Garrett Marks at Mustangs Etc. in Van Nuys, California, who has developed a sharp eye for the Ford Master Parts Catalog to help sort it all out. Mark Jeffrey of Trans Am Racing has assisted me with FE builds more times than I can count. I consider Marvin McAfee of MCE Engines one of the most knowledgeable engine builders I’ve ever known. There’s also the gang at Ford Performance in the motherland of Detroit; Jesse Kershaw and Mike Delahanty, who have helped me countless times through the years.

      Despite the great challenges of a book of this caliber and depth, it has proven to be a very successful publication that has helped thousands with their engine-building projects. I have read your letters, emails, and posts in the forums. I have taken your comments to heart and enlisted help from some of the best minds in the business.

      There’s an old saying and it is surely true. Put 50 engine builders in a room and approach a given subject and you will get 50 opinions. Our job is to take what we learn from engine builders and knowledgeable people in the industry and bring it to you.

      Many thanks to all of you who have helped me with these extensive book undertakings through the years. Additional thanks go to those of you with enough faith in me, and in CarTech, to have purchased these books through the decades. I will never take any of you for granted.