For a smooth idle on the street yet good performance on the strip, the Short Block package’s hydraulic roller camshaft is a Trick Flow Track Max. The red assembly lube shown here sticks better to metal surfaces and helps with break-in of the engine.

After inserting the camshaft, install both the timing chain and gear, followed by a Edelbrock Timing Chain Cover. Tech tip: use a short piece of exhaust pipe and a plastic mallet to tap the gear in place. And make sure to align the “O” with the keyway for a straight-up, stock setting. When putting the chain in place, no adjustment is needed. Just line up the upper and lower marks. Then torque the cam retaining bolt to spec. Then bolt on the timing chain cover.

The hydraulic roller lifters are self adjusting and the rolling tips offer less resistance. Use Ford Racing’s roller lifter install kit, and as with the camshaft, use lots of red assembly lube.

Included with Summit Racing’s Oil System is a Melling High Volume oil pump. It fits right in, without having to clearance the crank.

Other components of the oil system include a Milodon 7QT oil pan with a front sump and comp baffling, plus oil pickup, and ARP’s oil-pump drive and oil-pump bolts.

When adding the Harmonic Balancer, remove the counterweight, since the crank comes already balanced.

After checking for clearance, we removed the Harmonic Balancer and used a disc grinder and carbide bit to open up the tolerances a tad, at least 1/16th of an inch of space next to the block.

Once the Trick Flow heads are positioned on the block, they’re torqued down to spec with ARP head bolts. The Trick Flow chromoly pushrods and 1.6-ratio roller rocker arms go on next. Lifters are adjusted on the base circle of the camshaft (bottom of lobe) for maximum depth. Also, initially there should be zero lash between the stem of the valve and valvetrain. Then add a half-turn past zero lash on the rocker arm adjustment nuts.

After the intake manifold, distributor and plug wires were installed (not shown), we next fit on the flywheel and clutch kit.

Those components are then followed by the pressure plate. We recommend ARP’s pressure plate bolts.

Next go on the Quick Time bellhousing and clutch fork as well. The pilot bushing is from Ford Racing.

Lastly, a Tremec TKO 500 short-ratio transmission is bolted on.

A cherry picker and several pairs of hands lower the engine and transmission together into the chassis.

Factory Five’s motor mounts are slotted to allow for proper positioning of the engine.

Summit Racing’s ignition package (SUM-CSUMFFC05) includes MSD’s Digital-6 Plus electronic ignition module (left), installed on top of the passenger-side footbox, which is programmable and includes a rev limiter as well. This system also includes MSD’s Pro Billet distributor, MSD Blaster coil and MSD Ignition Wires. Spark wires are from NGK.

Atop the Summit Racing’s Stage 2 Intake is Holley’s 770cfm Street Avenger/Fuel Line Pro Pack (CMB-03-0242). Also needed is an Aeromotive Electric fuel pump and fuel filter.

With the engine and transmission installed, we’re almost ready to test-fire them. Before doing so, though, add break-in oil, six quarts of Lucas 20W50. Then we replaced that with Royal Purple 20W/50 Synthetic, 6 qts. along with a fresh K&N oil filter. For the transmission, we use Synchromesh Fluid from GM Performance and in the rear axle, Lucas Gear Oil 2 qts. Our next installments will cover body prep and finishing trim.