Looking into expanding my knowledge on motors.

[treveiger]

As the title says I'm hoping to understand more about engine components and how to determine what parts go well with each other to have a well running motor. I've worked on vehicles for a while as a hobby but never fully understand for instance what cam would be best for a certain type of engine build or what compression to run. I was wondering if there is a book/dvd out there that you guys could recommend or anyway to get this knowledge.

[Indian113]

There are Books available on How to Rebuild about every Motor made. I bought a book on SBChevys and followed it from the first chapter. After I rebuilt my motor I found I could have bought a Crate motor CHEAPER! The knowledge is nice and I can say " Yep I built the Motor in my Truck!!" If I was going to race I think I would hire a Shop that specializes in Race Motors. But that is Just My Opinion I could be Wrong

[treveiger]

Originally Posted by Indian113

There are Books available on How to Rebuild about every Motor made. I bought a book on SBChevys and followed it from the first chapter. After I rebuilt my motor I found I could have bought a Crate motor CHEAPER! The knowledge is nice and I can say " Yep I built the Motor in my Truck!!" If I was going to race I think I would hire a Shop that specializes in Race Motors. But that is Just My Opinion I could be Wrong

I got that same book and DVD. I'm looking at getting one for transmissions soon possibly too. I will most likely go with a crate motor on my next engine but would like to understand more about how everything is sized together if you know what I mean.

[geezer#99]

Easiest way is to 'pick' the brains of old guys!! LOL!!
Search here in the wiki section.
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/

Here's a page from there.
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w..._compatibility

I learn something new there everyday.

[Indian113]

I agree about the wealth of Knowledge on this forum, but the book showed me the tools I needed and how to use them and why I needed to use them. Rebuilding a motor used to be relatively cheap Times have Changed! I know I'll catch some Flak because out there are some 425 hp 305's that were built overnight in a dirt floored garage.

[Coley]

I would recommend buying at least a couple of books including 'How to rebuild a small block chevy' and perhaps one of the books about the small block chevy put out by Smokey yunick (although thats a little harder to find).
This will give you at least 2 avenues of information....one largely a stock 'baseline' type of information and the other...a very experienced performance angle to the engines.
Now, the (late) Smokey Yunick book is probably more 'old school' and would not include a lot of modern aluminum head and cam information but when it comes to engine insight its unlikely that anyone today could contradict him much.
The problem with general internet information, even on forums, is that a lot of the information is often all over the map and it is often (not always) opinion rather than published fact.
If you use a proven group of books that have been around....you will always be able to quickly go back there and reference what you need.
all Good
Coley

[El Dorado Jim]

I put an aftermarket,"comp" cam in my sons 350, I called summit and told them i wanted a little more power but still want to have it run smooth, they sent a cam that made an improvement in power, their people are pretty knowledgeable....I also installed an edelbrock "air gap" intake and edelbrock 1406 carb on it after that and made a big difference.....

[treveiger]

Thank you guys, lot of good info that I'm looking into. I've always been interested in learning more so I figured I might as well start now.

[Coley]

One other motor expert and author I would recommend, who has many good books out there, is David Vizard.
Pretty smart, methodical guy in the way he works out his motors and builds....easy to follow and not ad-hoc.....lots of good, interesting info.
(you can google 'David Vizard'...and get a bit of an idea from there)
Coley

[68C15]

You could always pick my brain. Assuming you still have my number

[treveiger]

Thank you Coley, I'll look into that as well.

Hey Todd luckily I still do have your number(I switched phones and lost a lot of contacts). I always keep you in mind for answers I need quick when working on vehicles. Unfortunately the truck has taken a back burner for the past couple of years due to house work but this summer that will hopefully change. Believe it or not my wife is bugging me to fix what I want on it to drive it more.

[68C15]

And I'm thinking of taking mine out of its 7 year slumber and make it my DD again

[treveiger]

Originally Posted by 68C15

And I'm thinking of taking mine out of its 7 year slumber and make it my DD again

Awesome, what are you looking to do for it?

[68C15]

I'll start with a prayer session. Maybe have a rabbi come and bless it first

[In The Ten Ring]

First off, a "motor" is electrically driven while an "engine" is chemical/fossil fuel/etc. powered.

That's about the limit of my motor and engine knowledge. I hope it helps.

[68C15]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

First off, a "motor" is electrically driven while an "engine" is chemical/fossil fuel/etc. powered.

That's about the limit of my motor and engine knowledge. I hope it helps.

What about hydraulic motors?

[paul blair]

Thanks TEN RING for pointing out the "MOTOR"--"ENGINE" thing! Treveiger Good luck with Your project, lots of information to be found here through builds others have done!

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by 68C15

What about hydraulic motors?

Hydraulic motors? Ya, I don't believe those exist.

*Anyone catch the reference to "Princess Bride?"

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

First off, a "motor" is electrically driven while an "engine" is chemical/fossil fuel/etc. powered.

That's about the limit of my motor and engine knowledge. I hope it helps.

Ever driven driven a Harley Davidson "engine" Cycle?

I know that technically a motor is electrically driven but those lines were blurred a long time ago.

[61_FL_Apache]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Easiest way is to 'pick' the brains of old guys!! LOL!!
Search here in the wiki section.
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/

Here's a page from there.
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w..._compatibility

I learn something new there everyday.

I think I have a little left to pick from