William Burt - How to Rebuild the Small-Block Mopar

Copyright 2007 by William Burt

All rights reserved. All text and photographs in this publication are the property of the author, unless otherwise noted or credited. It is unlawful to reproduce or copy in any way resell, or redistribute this information without the express written permission of the publisher.

All text, photographs, drawings, and other artwork (hereafter referred to as information) contained in this publication is sold without any warranty as to its usability or performance. In all cases, original manufacturers recommendations, procedures, and instructions supersede and take precedence over descriptions herein. Specific component design and mechanical procedures and the qualifications of individual readers are beyond the control of the publisher, therefore the publisher disclaims all liability, either expressed or implied, for use of the information in this publication. All risk for its use is entirely assumed by the purchaser/user. In no event will CarTech, Inc., or the author, be liable for any indirect, special, or consequential damages, including but not limited to personal injury or any other damages, arising out of the use or misuse of any information in this publication.

This book is an independent publication, and the author(s) and/or publisher thereof are not in any way associated with, and are not authorized to act on behalf of, any of the manufacturers included in this book. All registered trademarks are the property of their owners. The publisher reserves the right to revise this publication or change its content from time to time without obligation to notify any persons of such revisions or changes.

Edited by: Travis Thompson

ISBN-13 978-1-932494-54-9

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I love cars and boats and I have been fortunate in my life that various people have helped me along with my love of the mechanical. The maintenance and massaging of cars, motorcycles, and boats has brought days of joy, hours of frustration, and minutes of true mechanical Zen enlightenment. I have bought one new car in my life (a black 1988 5.0 Mustang GT). I loved and abused the little car. While the purchase brought enjoyment, it paled in comparison with the satisfaction of keeping one of my many jalopies puttering down the road. There is such satisfaction in fixing, building, or modifying somethingmaking it your trusty steed. The following people have taken time over the years and patiently given me free lessons, advice, and knowledge with no hope of ever getting anything out of it (and for the most part they havent). While much can be learned from reading manuals, without the following people passing on their automotive and marine experience I would be much less the mechanic. So a special thanks to Mack Burt, Lee Thompson, David Magouyrk, Waylon Magouyrk, Danny Peek, Charles Peek, John Swift, Al Harris, Danny Rodriguez, Chris Richards, David Richards, Lou Thurber, and Robby Muth (who didnt really show me anything about cars or boats, but when I was 19 years old he did give me, for free, a Suzuki TS 250 that ran like a top, and that will get your name in a book every time).

While I handled the camera and was the one chained to the computer writing while everyone else was out having fun, this book would not have been possible without the willing assistance of David Magouyrk and the sometimes willing assistance of his brother Waylon. While I am a fair shade-tree mechanic, a book of this scope must be based on the methods of the experienced. David and Waylon were those kids who had taken apart the lawn mower engine (and put it back together) before they started first grade. They made their way through the mechanics of mini-bikes, go-carts, and motorcycles as they grew. Then they graduated to cars. Both decided on machining as a career choice and now, decades later, their machining background is vast. David has worked in everything from precision mold making on conventional mills to running large complex machining centers. Waylons experience is similar, and he now also teaches machining at our nations main facility for rebuilding M1 Abrams tanks and other military vehicles. Between them they own and operate Magouyrk Machining and Automotive located in picturesque Ohatchee, Alabama. Here they machine or rebuild just about anything you bring them. On the day we took this picture David was messing around with our little Dodge engine while Waylon was finishing up a build on a large diesel. Beside it is one of the many Magouyrk Racing Engines that leaves the shop. Where building and machining are concerned, the Magouyrks have been there and done that. But that does not stop them from keeping their minds open and always looking for better methods. In the racing game, standing still is the same as going backwards. The advice given in this book is based on their years of machining and engine building. That doesnt mean its the only way, its just their way, and their way has put many a racecar in victory lane.

On more than one occasion in the following text I suggest working with a reputable performance parts house or speed shop when purchasing your parts. Over the years David and Waylon Magouyrk have developed a relationship with the guys at Birmingham Piston Warehouse, part of the Internal Engine Parts Group, in Birmingham, Alabama. Its nice to trade with stores that have stools in front of the counter. It means they dont mind you getting comfortable for a session of question and answer. It also means that the employees look you in the eye when they talk to you and they know that if they steer you wrong theyll get to look you in the eye again, too. This contact with the customer also gives them another advantage. They hear first-hand, from their customers, how different parts perform. Thus their opinion is based on something more than industry media. And this knowledge ranges over a wide array of products. You can leave with a standard kit assembled with reliable stock parts or you can leave with enough performance parts to burn your tires off in a matter of seconds, although it may require a second mortgage. Their contact information is in the back, so if you want to mix a little Southern hospitality with a great deal on parts, give them a call.

David and Waylon Magouyrk of Magouyrk Machining and Automotive. They were a huge help in putting together this book and this engine.