Mailbag: Building a Potent, Pump-Gas Pontiac on a Budget
Q: : I have a 1967 Pontiac GTO with a 400-cubic-inch engine that originally came from a 1968 Grand Prix. The 10.75:1 compression engine is rated at 340 horsepower. The […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Revisiting Common Causes and Cures for Vapor Lock
What exactly is vapor lock? The weather is warming up now and last summer I had trouble with my small block Nova dying a various times when he engine ran […]
Mailbag: Tips on Choosing a Starter for a Small Block Ford
Q: : I have a 1975 Mustang II built for drag racing. It has a 302 V8 and a C-4 transmission with an Ultra II bellhousing. I’m having problems with […]
Mailbag: Tracking Down Causes of Full-Throttle Power Loss
Q: I have a 455-cubic-inch Pontiac with a pair of cylinder heads from a 400. The compression ratio is estimated at 9.3:1. The engine was completely rebuilt by a professional engine […]
Mailbag: Tips for Building a 300-Plus Horsepower Fox-Body 5.0L
Q: I have a 5.0L Mustang that I have modified over the last year. I’d like to know what you think about the changes I have made, and if there is anything […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: What is a Digital Dial-Back Light and How Does it Work?
I just bought a new, digital timing light to replace my old original light. When I push the button, the timing moves but I’m not sure I know exactly what’s […]
Mailbag: Cylinder Head Bolts vs. Studs — and How to Determine the Right Torque Values
Q: I recently purchased Milodon main and head stud kits for a 390 in a Ford Fairlane GT. The torque specifications that came with the kits are general and don’t refer […]
Mailbag: Why is My Rebuilt Engine Still Using Too Much Oil?
Q: I have a Ford 390 engine. I had the block re-bored and was told to use moly piston rings. When I was finished with the rebuild, the engine began to […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Port Matching vs. Pocket Porting — Which is a Better Use of Time?
I’m still buying parts to assemble a 355-cubic-inch small block Chevy for my ’55 Chevy. My buddy was over this past weekend and told me that I should make sure […]
Mailbag: Transmission Swap Advice for a Ford 351 Cleveland
Q: I have a 1973 Mustang fastback that I have restored with the help of parts from Summit Racing. It has an FMX transmission, which I would like to swap for […]