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What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars?

Posted By: 1970RT

What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 02:41 AM

I'm going to be rebuilding an engine myself for the first time and would like to know, what is a good step-by-step book to get on the subject of rebuilding big block Mopar engines?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 03:00 AM

If it's going to be a relatively stock buildup I'd suggest this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Big-block-mopar-engines-Don-Taylor/dp/1557881901

I still use it as a reference while I'm building one so I don't forget anything.
Posted By: 1_WILD_RT

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 04:01 AM

Quote:

If it's going to be a relatively stock buildup I'd suggest this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Big-block-mopar-engines-Don-Taylor/dp/1557881901

I still use it as a reference while I'm building one so I don't forget anything.



And I wouldn't use Don Taylor's book to start a fire...
Posted By: rss

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 04:30 AM

Quote:

And I wouldn't use Don Taylor's book to start a fire...






Care to enlighten us a bit more on your fire starting opinion?

I've got Don's book and although it certainly isn't perfect, I'm not aware of any other books that specifically tackle rebuilding a Mopar big block in step-by-step format. For a new engine builder who doesn't have someone to hold his hand it's not a bad option.

Maybe I should keep my opinions to myself until I figure out whether I can get mine back together and running again.
Posted By: 1_WILD_RT

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 06:04 AM

& maybe I should keep my opinions to myself... But some of the stuff he suggests in his book I wouldn't do if I were rebuilding lawn mower.. It's been tears since I read parts of his book, so I won't try pointing out specifics but it's pretty shade tree... Back when I took JC courses on engine machining & rebuilding there were plenty of good books available, fact is most of the best tech books are written using Chevy & Ford engines as the guide, but the main info is good & you just adapt it to your needs..
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 06:17 AM

Its been TEARS since you read it?
Its not right to bad talk a book or person without specifics.
I have read the book and found it to be a decent guide to a novice builder.
Posted By: 1_WILD_RT

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 06:35 AM

Yeah I didn't proof read.. Sue Me... The deal is there is plenty of good info, unfortunately there are some pretty blatant screw-ups.. If you don't know better the screw-ups get accepted... FWIW I just dug the book up, if I find the time I'll read through it & post a few things...
Posted By: cogen80

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 10:42 AM

how about this one? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934709...P3TXHC03VSJ6JKT


Posted By: rss

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 01:44 PM

Andy's book is not a step-by-step rebuild guide like the OP was looking for. He even states as much in the introduction section. Andy's book is focused on building 600 to 900 horsepower max. performance engines. Sure it contains some good relevant information, but 80+ percent of it is not going to help a guy doing a stock or mild street performance build.

FWIW, in the preface to his book, Andy recommneds "How to Rebuild Any Automotive Engine" by Barry Kluczyk as a step-by-step guide for new engine builders. However, I think his recommendation is more based on the fact that both his and Barry's book are by the same publisher. I bought Barry's book also, but I'd recommmend the Don Taylor book over it.
Posted By: 69DodgeCharger

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 01:52 PM

Quote:

Its been TEARS since you read it?
Its not right to bad talk a book or person without specifics.
I have read the book and found it to be a decent guide to a novice builder.




I'd agree with that. Even though there is some things that are wrong info wise overall it is a pretty good basic book. As far as shade tree stuff my parents and granparents went to a guy (RIP Joe) that did a lot of that same type of stuff rebuilding engines and he was "the guy" to go to in the area if you wanted it run right and last. I"m guessing by shadetree you mean inspecting and re using parts? Or only replacing the parts you need?
Posted By: 1970RT

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 01:59 PM

Quote:

If it's going to be a relatively stock buildup I'd suggest this one:



Actually, I am going to be building a stroked 400.
Posted By: AndyF

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 02:11 PM

A stroker motor is a little different topic than a stock rebuild. My book and Chuck's book are the only two that cover strokers. Chuck's book is good but is a little over ten years old now so it doesn't cover any of the newer parts. The basics stay the same and he did a good job covering them.

If you go to Amazon.com and search for "mopar big blocks" you'll find at least 3 books on the subject. Amazon usually has a deal going where you can buy all three for $50. $50 is cheap compared to how much a stroker motor will cost.
Posted By: rss

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 02:45 PM

Quote:

Actually, I am going to be building a stroked 400.



Buy Andy's book, Don Taylor's book, Chuck Senatore's book, Voegelin's blueprinting book and a few more, then spend countless hours on this board and talk to multiple engine builders and you should be in good shape.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 07:53 PM

Quote:

Quote:

If it's going to be a relatively stock buildup I'd suggest this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Big-block-mopar-engines-Don-Taylor/dp/1557881901

I still use it as a reference while I'm building one so I don't forget anything.



Sure, it's not perfect but it's great for the amateur. About the only thing I found blatantly wrong was the tightening sequence on the head bolts has, I believe, the #7 one repeated. It's a fairly obvious error even to the untrained.

And I wouldn't use Don Taylor's book to start a fire...

Posted By: rss

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 08:09 PM

Quote:

About the only thing I found blatantly wrong was the tightening sequence on the head bolts has, I believe, the #7 one repeated. It's a fairly obvious error even to the untrained.



My favorite mistake is the chart that lists the stroke of a 383 as 3.83
Posted By: Stanton

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 09:16 PM

You can read all the books you want but there is no substitute for experience. Sure, it's nice to save the bucks BUT you'll spend every "saved" cent on tools you'll only use once and likely will still end up with something that's sub-standard. Read Andy's book, make a list of "particulars" and then take everything to a reputable shop and talk to the guy who's actually going to do the work. You likely won't be disappointed in the end and won't be second-guessing what you did.
Posted By: minivan

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 10:02 PM

Quote:

Quote:

About the only thing I found blatantly wrong was the tightening sequence on the head bolts has, I believe, the #7 one repeated. It's a fairly obvious error even to the untrained.



My favorite mistake is the chart that lists the stroke of a 383 as 3.83



I have the book and it is relatively pretty good.. I believe that NO WHERE in the book did it discuss the distributor bushing that is sweged into the block.. Not knocking the guy but his background is the chevy rebuild books..
Posted By: GwaiiEagle

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 11:20 PM

I used Taylor's book, and it is a little vague here and there.

I have Andy F's and Chuck Senatore's too. Andy's right; buy all three as a package thing on Amazon.

Is there a video series out?

Only 1 book so i doubt there is one.
Posted By: rss

Re: What is a good book on rebuilding big block Mopars? - 06/08/10 11:44 PM

Quote:

You can read all the books you want but there is no substitute for experience. Sure, it's nice to save the bucks BUT you'll spend every "saved" cent on tools you'll only use once and likely will still end up with something that's sub-standard. Read Andy's book, make a list of "particulars" and then take everything to a reputable shop and talk to the guy who's actually going to do the work. You likely won't be disappointed in the end and won't be second-guessing what you did.





You're right, with all the books and tools that I've bought I'll probably spend more doing it myself than if I paid someone else, but you don't learn much by paying others to do your work.
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