A few good Ford engine-building books???

tpiini · #1 (**permalink**) 06-29-2004, 06:21 AM

Hey guys,

I just sealed the deal on a Cobra and will be bringing it home next week. Strangely enough, I've never been a Ford vs Chevy vs Mopar warrior, but for screwy reasons, I've always ended up with Chevrolets as play-cars and have never even owned a Ford anything. I started digging through some catalogs and quickly came to grips with how easy I've had it for all these years. It seems that everyone sells everything for the Chevrolet engines, but there doesn't seem to be much out there for Fords.

So what I'm interested in are some recommendations for a few good manuals on the rebuilding of Ford engines of all types. Specifically, what interchanges with what and some basic block family-differences. The car I bought currently has a small block and runs very well. But I like to plan ahead and want to get familiar with all the displacement options.

Also, can you point me to some performance catalogs that deal in more Ford parts than places like Summit & Jegs? It seems easy to find parts for your basic 289/302/351w, but when you talk big-blocks, stuff is harder (for me) to find.

Thanks for the help. I've lurked here for a few years and have learned a lot from you all. But obviously I haven't paid nearly enough attention...

Tom

B L & sons · #2 (**permalink**) 06-29-2004, 07:43 AM

Tom
I rebuilt my 351-C with the help of this book.
How to rebuild
FORD V8
ENGINES HPBooks
by Tom Monroe

The build went grate
Book covers all makes & morels 351-C,351-M,400,429,460.

I am sure there are a lot more but this one is the one I used.
Bill

Clois Harlan · #3 (**permalink**) 06-29-2004, 09:21 AM

I run a FE engine and I have found anything I want through Summit (pistons, rods, cams,etc.). They don't always list all their parts but if you call them on a specific part they seem to have it for you. I bought my Sig Erson roller rockers from Summit and they were not listed in the catalogue.

Sometimes you just need to call their tech line and ask questions. The only GM toys I ever bought was a couple Trans Ams and a GTO but for all my adult life I have held fast to the blue oval brand. No regrets! I think you will be surprised at the availability of parts, especially with the small block engines.

Welcome to the ride.

Clois

sllib · #4 (**permalink**) 06-29-2004, 07:14 PM

Tom;
I go to Barnes & Noble about once a month and poke around in the "Transportation" section. Usually I leave with something I can use. B & N and Amazon have huge listings on their websites, also, if you do some searching. By the way, welcome to the club and good luck with your build.
Bill Stradtner

jschiller · #5 (**permalink**) 06-29-2004, 08:40 PM

A good summary of the Ford small and big blocks is Ford Performance by Pat Ganahl. Covers FE, 429-460, Cleveland and 289 including Windsors. Get the revised edition if possible as the original edition is very dated and the revised edition is slightly less so.

John

Fox · #6 (**permalink**) 06-29-2004, 10:09 PM

Tom

Tom Monroe has another book called 'How to rebuild small-block Ford engines'. Best $18 buck purchase I've made so far. I am building with new parts but the step-by-step walk through, literally down to the nut and bolt, has been invaluable to me. With a keen eye you just might spot him lurking around here at CC.

For parts Summit has been pretty good, much better than Jegs. I surf looking for good prices and I come back to Summit more often than not, when you take into account shipping costs and part availability. Check these out also...

DPM -www.buyfordmotorsport.com All the Ford Racing stuff at good prices
Mustangs Unlimited -www.mustangsunlimited.com Good for engine and restoration correct parts
Powered by Ford -www.poweredbyford.com
Tony Branda -www.cobranda.com Shelby stuff
Street or Track -www.streetortrack.com Best Canton prices and other odds and ends, excellent customer service.
DSC Motorsports -www.dscmotorsport.com Big/Small block parts

Dont forget Finish Line, Forte's, David Kee and Gessford. They are advertisers on this site...look to the left on any page.

As you come across others, post 'em. Have fun!

-John

Rick Parker · #7 (**permalink**) 06-29-2004, 11:16 PM

"How to Build Short Track Power" list several engine builds for 302/351 with the specific part numbers from Ford, along with dyno results. One of the most current ones out there. Primarily Ford Racing Factory parts utilized throughout. A lot of current technology.

Rick

tpiini · #8 (**permalink**) 06-30-2004, 05:59 AM

Thanks for all the replies!

I'll be surfing some of the sites over the next few days and getting on amazon.com to order some books.

Any other suggestions? Feel free to keep chiming in.

Tom

sllib · #9 (**permalink**) 06-30-2004, 07:47 AM

"How to build big-inch small block Ford engines" if you come to your senses and go with a stroked small block.
Bill Stradtner

tpiini · #10 (**permalink**) 06-30-2004, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sllib

"How to build big-inch small block Ford engines" if you come to your senses and go with a stroked small block.
Bill Stradtner

Very good advice! I've build a few stroked SB Chevrolets and am really a fan of squeezing more cubes out of smaller packages. The car currently has a 289, but I'm thinking that if I ever get into it, a stroked 351W would be a good way to go. I had no idea there was a book with that specific information. I'll definitely be on the prowl for it now.

Thanks, Tom

sllib · #11 (**permalink**) 06-30-2004, 07:06 PM

I ordered my copy from Amazon, but I first saw it on Ebay. It's a re-hash from a couple of other books, plus up to date info on stroker kits, including 351C kits, which I hadn't heard much about. The author is George Reid and it's one of the SA books. By the way, the correct name is "How to build big-inch Ford small blocks".
Bill Stradtner