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Oldsmobile V-8 Engines: How to Build Max Performance - Revised Edition
The traditional Oldsmobile V-8 powered some of the most memorable cars of the muscle car era, from the 442s of the 1960s and early 1970s to the Trans Ams of the late 1970s. These powerful V-8s were also popular in ski boats. They have found a new lease on life with the recent development of improved aftermarket cylinder heads, aggressive roller camshafts, and electronic fuel injection.
Author Bill Trovato is recognized as being one of the most successful Oldsmobile engine experts, and he openly shares all of his proven tricks, tips, and techniques for this venerable power plant. In this revised edition of Oldsmobile V-8 Engines: How to Build Max Performance, he provides additional information for extracting the best performance. In particular, he goes into greater detail on ignition systems and other areas of performance. His many years of winning with the Olds V-8 in heads-up, street-legal cars proves he knows how to extract maximum power from the design without sacrificing durability. A complete review of factory blocks, cranks, heads, and more is teamed with a thorough review of available aftermarket equipment. Whether mild or wild, the important information on cam selection and Olds-specific engine building techniques are all here. Fans of the traditional Olds V-8 will appreciate the level of detail and completeness Trovato brings to the table, and his frank, to-the-point writing style is as efficient and effective as the engines he designs, builds, and races.
Anyone considering an Oldsmobile V-8 to power their ride will save time, money, and headaches by following the clear and honest advice offered in Oldsmobile V-8 Engines: How to Build Max Performance. Plenty of full-color photos and step-by-step engine builds showcase exactly how these engines should be built to deliver the most power per dollar.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1:
Engine Blocks
Small-Blocks
Big-Blocks
Engine Block Filler
Lifter Bore Bank Angles
Engine Block Machining
Bottom-End Girdles
Chapter 2:
Crankshafts
Factory Small-Block Crank Identification and Application
Factory Big-Block Crank Identification and Application
Aftermarket Crankshafts
Bearing Clearance
Crank Grinding
Stroking
Magnafluxing
Engine Bearings
Anti-Friction Coatings
Crankshaft Balancing
Harmonic Balancers
Rear Main Bearing Seals
Chapter 3:
Camshafts and Valvetrain
Rocker Arms
Pushrods
Timing Chains
Roller-Bearing Cam Bolt and Camshaft Walk
Camshafts and Camshaft Selection
Camshaft Specifications
Lifters
Valvesprings, Retainers and Locks
Chapter 4:
Connecting Rods
Factory Connecting Rods
Aftermarket Steel Connecting Rods
Aluminum Connecting Rods
Connecting-Rod Side Clearance
Rod-to-Stroke Ratio
Chapter 5:
Pistons, Rings and Pins
Factory Cast Pistons
Aftermarket Forged Pistons
Off-the-Shelf Pistons
Custom Pistons
Piston Domes and Compression Ratio
Piston Rings
Gapless Rings
Piston Clearances
Piston Pins
Coatings
Ring Gaps
Chapter 6:
Oiling System
Oiling-System Flow Path
Oil Restrictors
Main-Bearing Modifications
Lifter Gallery Plugs
Oil Pumps
Oil-Filter Adapters and Oil Filters
Oil Pans
Windage Trays
Engine Oils
Vacuum Pumps
Chapter 7:
Cylinder Heads and Induction
Factory Small-Block Cylinder Heads
Factory Big-Block Cylinder Heads
Head Gaskets
The Milling Process
Aftermarket Cylinder Heads
Porting Tips and Tricks
Valveguides
The Valve Job
The Flow Bench
CNC-Ported Cylinder Heads
Valves
Intake Manifolds
Carburetors
Chapter 8:
Exhaust System
Factory Cast-Iron Manifolds
Center Divider on Factory Heads
Header Sizing
Full-Size Headers
Low-Cost Headers
Merge Collectors
Painted versus Coated versus Stainless
Crank Case Evacuation
Exhaust Gaskets
Mufflers and Exhaust Pipes
Chapter 9:
Ignition System
Ignition Boxes
Advance Curves
Crank Triggers and Magnetic Pickups
Distributors
Distributor Gears
Ignition Coils
Spark Plugs
Spark Plug Wires
Setting Ignition Timing
Appendix A:
Assembly Tips and Techniques
Appendix B:
Popular BTR Performance Combinations
Source Guide
The traditional Oldsmobile V-8 powered some of the most memorable cars of the muscle car era, from the 442s of the 1960s and early 1970s to the Trans Ams of the late 1970s. These powerful V-8s were also popular in ski boats. They have found a new lease on life with the recent development of improved aftermarket cylinder heads, aggressive roller camshafts, and electronic fuel injection.
Author Bill Trovato is recognized as being one of the most successful Oldsmobile engine experts, and he openly shares all of his proven tricks, tips, and techniques for this venerable power plant. In this revised edition of Oldsmobile V-8 Engines: How to Build Max Performance, he provides additional information for extracting the best performance. In particular, he goes into greater detail on ignition systems and other areas of performance. His many years of winning with the Olds V-8 in heads-up, street-legal cars proves he knows how to extract maximum power from the design without sacrificing durability. A complete review of factory blocks, cranks, heads, and more is teamed with a thorough review of available aftermarket equipment. Whether mild or wild, the important information on cam selection and Olds-specific engine building techniques are all here. Fans of the traditional Olds V-8 will appreciate the level of detail and completeness Trovato brings to the table, and his frank, to-the-point writing style is as efficient and effective as the engines he designs, builds, and races.
Anyone considering an Oldsmobile V-8 to power their ride will save time, money, and headaches by following the clear and honest advice offered in Oldsmobile V-8 Engines: How to Build Max Performance. Plenty of full-color photos and step-by-step engine builds showcase exactly how these engines should be built to deliver the most power per dollar.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1:
Engine Blocks
Small-Blocks
Big-Blocks
Engine Block Filler
Lifter Bore Bank Angles
Engine Block Machining
Bottom-End Girdles
Chapter 2:
Crankshafts
Factory Small-Block Crank Identification and Application
Factory Big-Block Crank Identification and Application
Aftermarket Crankshafts
Bearing Clearance
Crank Grinding
Stroking
Magnafluxing
Engine Bearings
Anti-Friction Coatings
Crankshaft Balancing
Harmonic Balancers
Rear Main Bearing Seals
Chapter 3:
Camshafts and Valvetrain
Rocker Arms
Pushrods
Timing Chains
Roller-Bearing Cam Bolt and Camshaft Walk
Camshafts and Camshaft Selection
Camshaft Specifications
Lifters
Valvesprings, Retainers and Locks
Chapter 4:
Connecting Rods
Factory Connecting Rods
Aftermarket Steel Connecting Rods
Aluminum Connecting Rods
Connecting-Rod Side Clearance
Rod-to-Stroke Ratio
Chapter 5:
Pistons, Rings and Pins
Factory Cast Pistons
Aftermarket Forged Pistons
Off-the-Shelf Pistons
Custom Pistons
Piston Domes and Compression Ratio
Piston Rings
Gapless Rings
Piston Clearances
Piston Pins
Coatings
Ring Gaps
Chapter 6:
Oiling System
Oiling-System Flow Path
Oil Restrictors
Main-Bearing Modifications
Lifter Gallery Plugs
Oil Pumps
Oil-Filter Adapters and Oil Filters
Oil Pans
Windage Trays
Engine Oils
Vacuum Pumps
Chapter 7:
Cylinder Heads and Induction
Factory Small-Block Cylinder Heads
Factory Big-Block Cylinder Heads
Head Gaskets
The Milling Process
Aftermarket Cylinder Heads
Porting Tips and Tricks
Valveguides
The Valve Job
The Flow Bench
CNC-Ported Cylinder Heads
Valves
Intake Manifolds
Carburetors
Chapter 8:
Exhaust System
Factory Cast-Iron Manifolds
Center Divider on Factory Heads
Header Sizing
Full-Size Headers
Low-Cost Headers
Merge Collectors
Painted versus Coated versus Stainless
Crank Case Evacuation
Exhaust Gaskets
Mufflers and Exhaust Pipes
Chapter 9:
Ignition System
Ignition Boxes
Advance Curves
Crank Triggers and Magnetic Pickups
Distributors
Distributor Gears
Ignition Coils
Spark Plugs
Spark Plug Wires
Setting Ignition Timing
Appendix A:
Assembly Tips and Techniques
Appendix B:
Popular BTR Performance Combinations
Source Guide
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