How To Build A Cheap, Street, $650 Small-Block
Not Every Car Crafter Needs A High-End Race Engine, So We're Going To Dive Into . . .
Small-Block Chevy Spec Chart
The accompanying chart lists both recommended clearances and torque specs for a small-block Chevy. The ranges for some clearances are slightly wider since we are not blueprinting this engine. Factory specs list much tighter acceptable bearing clearances, but we prefer ours. Torque specs were taken from a '60s Chevrolet service manual and may be different for your engine based on the specific components used. This is especially true for aftermarket rod bolts.
| COMPONENT |
CLEARANCE (INCHES) |
| Main bearing |
0.002-0.0030 |
| Rod bearing |
0.002-0.0030 |
| Connecting rod side |
0.009-or more |
| Crankshaft endplay |
0.005-0.010 |
| Retainer to seal |
0.050 minimum |
| Valvespring coil bind |
0.050 minimum |
| FASTENER |
TORQUE SPEC (LB-FT) |
| Main cap |
80 |
| Connecting rod |
45 (3/8-inch bolt) |
| Oil pump |
65 |
| Cylinder head |
65 |
| Camshaft sprocket |
20 |
| Harmonic balancer |
60 |
Chevrolet's published main bearing clearance range for a '66 283 is an amazing 0.0003 to 0.0034 inch.
| PARTS LIST |
| DESCRIPTION |
PN |
SOURCE |
PRICE |
| Long-block |
NA |
Friend |
$100.00 |
| Summit main bearings |
173000 |
Summit Racing |
12.95 |
| Summit rod bearings |
172000 |
Summit Racing |
12.95 |
| Summit piston rings, 4.00 |
133-139-00 |
Summit Racing |
25.95 |
| Fel-Pro gasket set, 1 piece rear main |
KS-2666 |
Summit Racing |
99.95 |
| Summit valvespring kit |
174001 |
Summit Racing |
63.95 |
| Summit oil pump |
121155SV |
Summit Racing |
16.95 |
| Melling oil pump pickup |
55-S1 |
Summit Racing |
6.95 |
| Summit intake manifold |
PC22001 |
Summit Racing |
99.50 |
| Lunati cam and lifter package |
10000LK |
Summit Racing |
89.95 |
| Summit carb cleaner, four cans |
SP1503 |
Summit Racing |
23.80 |
| Summit Chevy orange paint |
SP1005 |
Summit Racing |
5.95 |
| Brass freeze plug kit |
G1581 |
Summit Racing |
13.95 |
| Summit nonroller timing set |
G6501 |
Summit Racing |
13.95 |
| Summit assembly lube |
LUBE |
Summit Racing |
1.95 |
| Summit spark plug wires |
868836 |
Summit Racing |
29.95 |
| Autolite spark plugs |
FRM-25 |
Summit Racing |
12.00 |
| GM HEI distributor |
Used |
Swap meet |
5.00 |
| Engine oil |
10W-30 |
Local auto parts |
10.00 |
| Oil filter, Wix |
51069 |
Local auto parts |
6.75 |
| TOTAL |
$652.40 |
| GMPP rail-style 1.5 rocker arms |
12495490 |
Summit Racing |
59.95 |
How-to References
Measuring bearing clearance: carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0805_high_performance_engines_bearing_clearance/index.html
How to measure rod bolt stretch: carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0609_using_rod_bolt_stretch_tool/index.html
Plastigauge vs. micrometer: carcraft.com/techfaq/116_0701_plastigage_vs_micrometer/index.html
How to degree a camshaft: carcraft.com/howto/116_0701_how_to_degree_a_camshaft/index.html
How to set valve lash: carcraft.com/howto/ccrp_0702_camshaft/index.html
How to start a new engine: carcraft.com/howto/ccrp_0903_how_to_start_a_new_engine/index.html
|
|
Federal Mogul/Fel-Pro/Speed-Pro
800-560-1400
www.federal-mogul.com
|
Autolite
39 Old Ridgebury Road
Danbury
CT
06810
800-890-2075
www.autolite.com
|
Lunati
11126 Willow Ridge Drive
Olive Branch
MS
38654
662-892-1500
www.lunatipower.com
|
GM Performance Parts
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit
MI
48232
800-577-6888
www.gmperformanceparts.com
|
Summit Racing
PO Box 909
Akron
OH
44398
800-230-3030
www.summitracing.com
| |
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