HorsePower Builds
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(CHUCK)>> WHAT DO YOU DO
WHEN YOUR BIG BLOCK BITES THE BIG ONE? WE'LL SHOW YOU ON
HORSEPOWER TV TODAY.
(JOE)>> TODAY ON HORSEPOWER TV CHUCK'S GROCERY GETTER GOT SICK. WE'LL REBUILD HIS 454 BIG BLOCK FIRST WITH A TRIP TO THE MACHINE SHOP. THEN IN OUR OWN SHOP WITH A HIGH PERFORMANCE REBUILD KIT. FINALLY WE'LL FIRE IT UP ON OUR LIVE ENGINE TEST STAND. PLUS SOME HORSEPOWER TV MISHAPS WHEN WE SHARE SOME SCENES THAT WERE SAVED FROM THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR. OOPS SORRY! SO HANG ON FOR HORSEPOWER TV.
(JOE)>> WELCOME TO THE HORSEPOWER SHOP WHERE PULLING WRENCHES IS ALMOST AS MUCH FUN AS PULLING THE LEVERS OF THE LENKO IN THIS '62 CHEVY. NOW, IT BELONGS TO SOME BUDDIES OF OURS WHO'RE GETTING READY TO RACE THIS BIG BLOCK BEL AIR IN PRO STREET COMPETITION.
(CHUCK)>> THAT'S RIGHT. NOW A BIG BLOCK CHEVY'S TOUGH TO BEAT, WHETHER IT'S ON THE STRIP OR ON THE STREET. NOW, WHEN I BOLTED A B&M BLOWER ON MY GROCERY GETTER HERE THOUGH, WELL,I WAS KINDA HAVING TOO MUCH FUN AND KINDA BEAT ON IT A LITTLE HARD MYSELF. CHECK THIS OUT. [ ENGINE STARTS ] [ ENGINE KNOCKING ] PRETTY SAD, HUH?
(JOE)>> YEAH, THAT KNOCKING YOU HEARD WASN'T ED MCMAHON AT THE DOOR WITH A MILLION DOLLAR CHECK, ALTHOUGH WE WOULD USE THE MONEY FOR PARTS TO FIX THIS THING.
(CHUCK)>> WELL, I SURE HOPE NOT. BUT, AS YOU CAN SEE, I'VE ALREADY GOT THE 454 OUT OF THE WAGON, HERE. WELL, WHAT DO YOU SAY WE TAKE IT APART TO SEE WHERE THAT NOISE WAS COMING FROM. NOW, THE FIRST THING WE WANNA DO IS FLIP THIS THING OVER SO WE CAN GET RID OF THE PAN AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THERE.
(JOE)>> NOW, IT SOUNDED LIKE A ROD KNOCK, SO WHAT WE'RE DOING IS CHECKING THESE THINGS TO SEE IF WE'VE GOT ANY EXTRA PLAY. OH, I THINK WE FOUND THE PROBLEM! HEY, GET A LOAD OF THIS FOR A MINUTE. THIS BAD BOY'S DEFINITELY GOT A SPUN BEARING. COMPARE IT WITH A NEW ONE, YOU CAN SEE THIS ONE'S HAMMERED SO BAD IT'S ACTUALLY GOTTEN WIDER WHICH HAS CAUSED THIS LIP RIGHT HERE. SEE THE LOCATING TANK ON THE NEW ONE? IT'S WORN AWAY ON THIS ONE.
(CHUCK)>> WELL, I GUESS THAT'S WHAT STUPIDITY AND A HEAVY RIGHT FOOT WILL GET YOU. YOU KNOW IT WASN'T ALL MY FAULT. AFTER ALL, THIS ENGINE CAME OUT OF A BONEYARD MONTE CARLO, AND WELL THERE'S NO TELLING HOW MANY MILES WERE ON IT.
(JOE)>> WELL, AT ANY RATE, WE GOTTA REBUILD ON OUR HANDS THIS WEEKEND. I TELL YOU WHAT, WHY DON'T WE FINISH TEARING IT DOWN, ORDER SOME NEW PARTS, AND SEND THE REST TO THE MACHINE SHOP. AT THE MACHINE SHOP OUR BLOCK AND HEADS ARE FIRST BAKED IN THIS THERMAL CLEAN OVEN AND THEN SHOT BLASTED. OF COURSE THE BLOCK'S MAGNAFLUXED FOR CRACKS AND FORTUNATELY WE DON'T HAVE ANY, SO IT'S ALL SET UP TO BE BORED. BY THE WAY, IT'LL CLEAN UP AT 30 OVER. NOW THIS ENGINE WILL BE RUN ON THE STREET BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE MACHINIST TO KNOW YOUR ENGINE'S PURPOSE.
(MIKE)>> IF YOU USE A RACE ENGINE, OF COURSE, THE TOLERANCE WILL BE GREATER FOR HIGHER RPM USE. BUT, STREET ENGINES WITH A TIGHTER TOLERANCE ARE DESIGNED TO LAST FOR MANY THOUSAND MILES.
(JOE)>> AFTER BORING THE BLOCK WE CHECK THE ALIGNMENT OF THE MAINS AND DISCOVER THE NUMBER TWO MAIN IS OUT HALF A THOUSANDTH. BUT BEFORE WE ALIGN HONE THE BLOCK, WE'LL CHECK THE DECK FOR WARPAGE. HERE THE MACHINIST LAYS A STRAIGHT EDGE ON THE SURFACE. IF HE CAN GET A .003 FEELER GAUGE UNDER IT, IT NEEDS DECKING. OURS SEEMS TO BE OKAY SO WE'RE READY TO ALIGN HONE.
(CHUCK)>> THE CAPS WERE CUT .002 TO ACTUALLY MAKE THE MAINS SMALLER SO THAT THEY CAN BE HONED OUT TO THE ORIGINAL DIAMETER AND GIVE US THE CORRECT ALIGNMENT. NOW WE'RE READY FOR THAT FINISH HONE OF THE CYLINDER BORES. THE TYPE OF FINISH DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF RINGS YOU USE. BUT IT'S CRUCIAL FOR THEIR PROPER SEATING AND SEALING. WHILE THE BLOCK IS BEING ALIGN HONED, WE'RE GONNA RECONDITION THE RODS. NOW THE CAPS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CUT AND WE'VE INSTALLED ARP BOLTS AND THIS MACHINE OVER HERE IS GONNA HONE THE BIG END OUT TO THE PROPER DIMENSION.
THE RODS ARE THEN WEIGHED SO WE CAN FIND THE LIGHTEST ONE AND MATCH THE OTHER SEVEN TO IT BY USING A BELT SANDER TO TAKE AWAY MATERIAL. THE PISTONS GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCEDURE, AGAIN, MATCHING THE WEIGHT TO THE LIGHTEST ONE. ONCE THE WEIGHTS ARE MATCHED THE SMALL END OF EACH ROD IS HEATED TO EXPAND IT SO THE WRIST PIN CAN BE INSERTED.
(JOE)>> MEANWHILE, THE CRANK IS GROUND TO THE MINIMUM AMOUNT NECESSARY TO CLEAN IT UP. THE MAINS ARE FIRST, FOLLOWED BY THE ROD JOURNALS. OURS CLEANED UP AT 10-10. WELL NOW WE'RE READY TO BALANCE THE CRANK ON THIS MACHINE AND THESE BOB WEIGHTS HERE REPRESENT THE WEIGHT OF THE RODS AND PISTONS AFTER THEY SPIN THIS THING A FEW SECONDS THEY TELL WHETHER THEY NEED TO ADD OR SUBTRACT COUNTERWEIGHTS TO BRING IT INTO BALANCE.
(CHUCK)>> NOW WHILE THAT'S BEEN GOING ON WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE HEADS, TOO. WE STARTED BY INSTALLING NEW BRONZE GUIDES, THEN ENLARGING THE SEATS FOR OUR OVERSIZED STAINLESS VALVES. WE ALSO INSTALLED HARDENED EXHAUST SEATS SO WE COULD BURN UNLEADED FUEL WITHOUT DAMAGING OUR HEADS. WELL, HERE'S AN EASY AND INEXPENSIVE OPERATION THAT YOU'LL REALLY APPRECIATE. NOW THIS LITTLE CUTTER HERE WILL GO IN IT'S GONNA MAKE A CUT RIGHT UNDER THE VALVE SEAT AREA HERE. IT'S GONNA CUT INTO THE BOWL. NOW THAT'S GONNA IMPROVE THE AIRFLOW TREMENDOUSLY. ALSO INCREASE YOUR HORSEPOWER THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE RPM RANGE.
(JOE)>> THEN THE HEAD IS MILLED TO MAKE THE SURFACES FLAT AND TRUE. THE VALVES ARE INSTALLED AND THE SPRING HEIGHTS DETERMINED BEFORE ADDING THE SHIMS AND ASSEMBLING THE SPRINGS.
(CHUCK)>> THOSE GUYS AT THE MACHINE SHOP SURE DID A GREAT JOB. BUT, NOW IT'S OUR TURN TO GO BACK TO WORK. TELL YA' WHAT. I'M GONNA FINISH PAINTING THIS BLOCK AND THEN WE'LL BE BACK TO ASSEMBLE THIS 454 RIGHT AFTER THIS.
[ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> HI, WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOP AND OUR 454 REBUILD. THIS ENGINE IS DESTINED FOR THE STREET, SO IT'S GOTTA BE RELIABLE, ECONOMICAL, AND MAKE A RESPECTABLE AMOUNT OF HORSEPOWER IN ENGINES LIKE, WELL SOME OF YOU GUYS HAVE BUILT OR PLAN TO BE BUILDING.
(CHUCK)>> THAT'S WHY THE PARTS THAT WE ORDERED ARE GONNA GIVE US THE POWER WE WANT IN A PRICE THAT WE CAN AFFORD. SO WE ORDERED AN ENGINE REBUILD KIT FROM SUMMIT, AND IT CONTAINS SOME OF THE BEST NAMES IN THE BUSINESS. FOR INSTANCE, ALL OF OUR BEARINGS COME FROM FEDERAL MOGUL. THE OIL PUMP AND RINGS COME FROM SPEED PRO. AND, THESE HYPEREUTECTIC PISTONS. HEY, THEY COME FROM KEITH BLACK.
(JOE)>> OKAY, WITH OUR NEW MAINS IN PLACE, WE'RE READY TO DROP THAT OLE CRANK BACK IN. HEY, MY BUDDY.
(CHUCK)>> OH YEAH. I'M YOUR BUDDY WHEN IT COMES TO THE HEAVY WORK. TELL YOU WHAT, ALL THIS HEAVY WORK'S GOT ME A LITTLE BIT CRANKY.
(JOE)>> OH, YOU DID A GREAT JOB. I WANNA SHOW YOU SOMETHING HERE. HERE'S WHERE THEY MODIFIED THE COUNTERWEIGHT AT THE MACHINE SHOP TO BRING THIS THING INTO BALANCE. THEN, THEY GAVE US A 10-10 GRIND WHICH MEANS THEY TOOK .010 OFF THE MAINS AND ANOTHER .010 OFF THE ROD PINS, AND, OF COURSE, CHAMFERED THE OIL HOLES AND POLISHED ALL THE JOURNALS. NOW, WHEN YOU DO THIS JOB, MAKE SURE YOU USE PLENTY OF ASSEMBLY LUBE ON ALL THE BEARINGS. [ TORQUE WRENCH CLICKING ]
(CHUCK)>> WHILE JOE'S TORQUING DOWN THE MAINS, I INSTALLED THE MAHLE RINGS ON OUR PISTONS. NOW, WE CHOSE HYPEREUTECTICS BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE LESS CYLINDER CLEARANCE THAN FORGED PISTONS. THAT MEANS LESS PISTON ROCK FOR A BETTER SEAL. AND, OF COURSE, IMPROVED COMBUSTION EFFICIENCY FOR MORE POWER. NOW, YOU SEE THIS STUFF RIGHT HERE? WELL, THAT'S ACTUALLY A TEFLON COATING THAT'S GONNA REDUCE FRICTION AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SKIRT SCUFFING.
(JOE)>> WELL, I GUESS I CAN GET STARTED WITH THESE ROD BEARINGS NEXT.
(CHUCK)>> YOU READY FOR THIS?
(JOE)>> YOU BET, THANKS. NOW, ONCE YOU START SEPARATING THE CAPS FROM THE RODS, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP 'EM TOGETHER. SEE, AFTER THEY'VE BEEN RESIZED LIKE OURS, WELL, THEY'RE A MATCHED SET. IF YOU GET 'EM MIXED UP, YOUR BEARING CLEARANCE COULD BE OFF BY A THOU OR MORE. IN FACT, THE MACHINE SHOP STAMPED IN THESE NUMBERS HERE TO HELP US KEEP 'EM TOGETHER.
(CHUCK)>> WE'RE GONNA USE THIS HANDY LITTLE ROD GUIDE TO HELP US INSTALL OUR PISTONS. ONCE YOU'VE OILED THE PISTON, SLIDE IT DOWN IN THE CYLINDER, THEN LINE UP THAT ROD GUIDE ON THE ROD BOLTS, AND POUND THE PISTON HOME.
(JOE)>> AFTER YOU INSTALL ALL THE PISTONS GO AHEAD AND TORQUE DOWN THE ROD BOLTS TO THE RECOMMENDED SPECS OF THE FASTENERS THAT YOU'RE USING.
NOW, AFTER YOU TIGHTEN DOWN EACH CAP, IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO SPIN THIS CRANK JUST TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO BINDING.
(CHUCK)>> THE CAM SHAFT IS NEXT. AND, WELL NOW'S A GOOD TIME FOR AN UPGRADE. WE CHOSE THIS ONE FROM ERSON. NOW, IT'S A MILD HYDRAULIC CAM THAT'S GONNA GIVE US JUST A LITTLE BIT OF LOPE, BUT IT'LL GIVE US PLENTY OF VACUUM FOR OUR POWER BRAKES AND OTHER ACCESSORIES. THE TIMING SET IS NEXT. AND, DON'T FORGET TO LINE UP THE TWO DOTS. THEN WE CAN INSTALL THE TIMING GASKET AND THE TIMING COVER. THE OIL PUMP IS NEXT. NOW, WE LIKE TO USE A HIGH VOLUME PIECE LIKE THIS ONE TO MAKE SURE OUR ENGINE GETS PLENTY OF OIL. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF TIPS FOR YA'. MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS USE A NEW NYLON LOCKING SLEEVE ON THE DRIVE SHAFT HERE, AND WELD THE PICKUP TO THE BODY TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T VIBRATE LOOSE WHILE THE ENGINE'S RUNNING.
(JOE)>> A FEW WEEKS AGO WE SHOWED YOU THIS SLAM GUARD OIL PAN FROM TRANSDAPT. TODAY WE'RE GONNA PUT IT TO GOOD USE. CHUCK'S WAGON ALREADY SITS PRETTY LOW ALREADY AND NOW WHEN HE CARRIES A LOAD OF GROCERIES, THIS PAN'LL HELP KEEP THE OIL WHERE IT BELONGS. NOW AFTER WE GET THIS THING BOLTED DOWN, WE'LL TURN THE ENGINE OVER AGAIN AND INSTALL OUR HEADS.
(CHUCK)>> HERE'S WHAT OUR FRESH HEADS LOOK LIKE WITH OUR OVERSIZE VALVES, AND HARDENED EXHAUST SEATS. NOW THAT'S GONNA LET US RUN UNLEADED FUEL. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH REUSING SOME OF YOUR OLD PARTS. IT'LL PROBABLY SAVE YOU A LITTLE MONEY. IN FACT, I'M REUSING OUR OLD ROCKER STUDS AND GUIDE PLATES HERE. NOW, BEFORE YOU REUSE THOSE OLD PARTS, THOUGH, THEY REQUIRE SOME PRETTY CLOSE INSPECTION. YOU'LL WANNA CHECK FOR ANY STRIPPED THREADS, BURRS, CRACKS, AND GALLING. IF YOU FIND ANY OF THOSE PROBLEMS, YOU'LL WANNA ORDER NEW REPLACEMENTS. WE WANNA WATCH OUR BUDGET, BUT WE DON'T WANNA CUT CORNERS.
(JOE)>> WE'VE BEEN USING THESE ULTRASEALS FROM MR. GASKET THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT FOR OUR HEADS. WE'LL USE A COMPOSITION GASKET WITH A STEEL RING AROUND THE BORES TO HOLD EVEN THE HIGHEST COMPRESSION. THEY'VE ALSO GOT A SPECIAL COATING TO IMPROVE THE SEAL.
USE THREAD SEALANT ON ALL YOUR HEAD BOLTS. THEN, TORQUE 'EM TO THE RECOMMENDED VALUE. AND, BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S TORQUE SEQUENCE. ONCE THE LIFTERS AND PUSH RODS ARE IN, INSTALL THE ROCKERS AND ADJUST THE VALVES. TO DO THAT, BRING THE CYLINDER BEING ADJUSTED TO TOP DEAD CENTER TO MAKING SURE THE LIFTERS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THEIR TRAVEL. THEN WIGGLE THE PUSH ROD UP AND DOWN WHILE YOU TIGHTEN THE ROCKER TILL YOU GET OUT ALL THE SLACK. THEN GIVE IT ANOTHER QUARTER TURN AND YOU'VE PRELOADED YOUR HYDRAULIC LIFTERS.
(CHUCK)>> WE'LL SHOW YOU HOW WE'RE GONNA FEED THIS 454, THEN FIRE IT UP. BUT FIRST, A SHORT BREAK. WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
[ MUSIC ]
(CHUCK)>> WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOP WHERE MY OLD GROCERY GETTER IS GETTING CLOSE TO HAVING A STREET SMART 454. NOW, TO FEED THAT BIG BLOCK WE DECIDED ON HOLLEY'S ALUMINUM DUAL PLANE INTAKE BECAUSE OF ITS STRONG BOTTOM END CHARACTERISTICS AND THEIR 750 CFM VACUUM SECONDARY CARB. NOW, THIS CARB IS GONNA BE BIG ENOUGH TO FEED THAT 454, WHILE THE VACUUM SECONDARIES ARE GONNA MAKE SURE IT ONLY GETS AS MUCH FUEL AS IT NEEDS. HEY, MAN, I SEE YOU'RE WAY AHEAD OF ME.
(JOE)>> WELL, THAT'S NO CHALLENGE, BUT CHECK THIS. WE'RE USING ULTRASEALS UP HERE, TOO. AND THE NEAT ABOUT 'EM IS THEY'VE GOT THIS SILICON BEAD AROUND ALL THE INTAKE AND WATER PASSAGES. LET ME GIVE YOU A HAND WITH THAT.
(CHUCK)>> THAT'S MIGHTY KIND OF YA'. LET'S GO STRAIGHT DOWN IT. HERE WE GO. THERE IT IS. THE LAST THING WE WANNA DO IS DAMAGE OUR NEW ALUMINUM INTAKE, SO WE'RE GONNA FOLLOW A SPECIAL TIGHTENING SEQUENCE THAT STARTS IN THE MIDDLE AND WORKS ITS WAY TOWARDS THE END IN A CRISSCROSS PATTERN.
(JOE)>> WE'RE ALMOST READY TO FIRE UP THAT BIG BLOCK. AND, HERE'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA USE FOR THAT. IT'S A LIVE ENGINE TEST STAND WE GOT FROM AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATIONS. IT LET'S US TEST, TUNE, AND CHECK OUR ENGINE FOR LEAKS BEFORE WE INSTALL IT.
(CHUCK)>> WELL, I'M ABOUT DONE HERE. I'M GONNA GO GET THAT ENGINE HOIST. [ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> WE'VE BEEN WATCHING THIS PROJECT WITH A CLOSE EYE ON OUR BUDGET, BUT WE DID LEAVE ENOUGH FOR A SET OF HEADERS. AFTER ALL, ANY STRONG STREET ENGINE NEEDS A SET FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE. WE GOT THESE FROM HEDMAN AND THEY FEATURE A METALLIC CERAMIC COATING.
(CHUCK)>> HEY, MAN I HEARD YOU TALKING ABOUT OUR BUDGET SO I MANAGED TO GET A LITTLE FLASH FOR OUR CASH. FOR ONLY ABOUT 60 BUCKS, SUMMIT SENT US ALL THIS AND THE GASKETS TO INSTALL 'EM. [ DRILL SPINNING ] IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA BEFORE YOU FIRE ANY FRESH ENGINE TO PRIME THE OIL PUMP FIRST. THAT WAY, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY DRY STARTS. [ DRILL SPINNING ]
(JOE)>> WE HAD A COUPLE OF MELTDOWNS AND BURNED BOOTS ON OUR OLD SET OF WIRES, SO WE'RE GONNA INSTALL THIS NEW ONE FROM MOROSO. IT'S GONNA GIVE US GOOD VOLTAGE AND RF SUPPRESSION. NOW, THEY CALL THESE BLUE MAX, BUT WE'RE GOING WITH RED.
[ ENGINE STARTING & REVVING ]
(CHUCK)>> MAN, THIS THING SOUNDS A WHOLE LOT BETTER THAN WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT IT IN HERE.
(JOE)>> YEAH, I'D SAY WE WENT FROM REALLY SICK TO REALLY STRONG.
(CHUCK)>> YEAH, AND THE BEST PART IS IT DIDN'T PUT THE STRONG ARM ON MY GROCERY BUDGET, EITHER. I'M NOT EVEN GONNA MISS A MEAL. AFTER ALL, WE SPENT ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ON MACHINE WORK. SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS ON PARTS. AND, A COUPLE HUNDRED MORE ON ACCESSORIES.
(JOE)>> YEAH, ABOUT WHAT HE SPENDS ON A WEEK'S WORTH OF GROCERIES. STAY WITH US. WE GOT THE BEST OF THE WORST OF HORSEPOWER TV COMING UP.
[ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> YOU KNOW, CHUCK, IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT OVER TWO YEARS HAVE GONE BY SINCE WE STARTED BRINGING OUR BRAND OF HIGH PERFORMANCE TV TO TNN VIEWERS.
(CHUCK)>> YEAH, BUT IT'S ALL BEEN FUN.
(JOE)>> AND, WE'VE TRIED TO CONSTANTLY RAISE THE BAR TO BRING YOU THE BEST HOWTOS AND LIFESTYLE FEATURES.
(CHUCK)>> NOW, WE'VE ALWAYS GOT OUR EARS OPEN FOR FEEDBACK ON WHAT YOU LIKE AND WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE MORE OF, WHETHER IT'S ENGINE BUILDUPS OR BUDGET BOLTONS, RESTIFICATIONS, OR RACING EVENTS. BUT, WE HEAR THAT SOME OF YOU LIKE TO SEE OUR FOULUPS EVEN MORE THAN OUR BUILDUPS.
(JOE)>> YEAH, WHILE WE'VE BEEN BUSY IN THE SHOP, OUR EDITORS PUT TOGETHER THIS PIECE FOR YOU. IT'S OUR BEST OF THE WORST. ( )>> ACTION!
(CHUCK)>> REMOVE THE OLD PULLEY, INSTALL THE NEW ONE, AND REINSTALL THE @@! ! ##. AND REINSTALL THE NUT. AND REINSTALL THE NUT. @@! ! ##.
(JOE)>> CHUCK, JUST CHECK OUT HOW THEY RADIUS THOSE AIRHORNS.
(CHUCK)>> I TELL YOU WHAT, THAT'S COOL. NOW THAT JUST ABOUT TAKES CARE OF THE HEAVY NUTS AND BOLTS.
NOW REMEMBER, WE'RE RUNNING ALMOST 15:1 COMPRESSION HERE, SO I CAN'T FIND THE @@! ! ## STUD! SHUT UP, MAN.
(JOE)>> NOW, OF COURSE, THEY'VE ALSO GOT THESE TWOSTAGE SYSTEMS. LET ME GET THIS MASSIVE CARB OFF HERE. I'LL DO IT BETTER NEXT TIME.
(CHUCK)>> YEAH, WE'RE GONNA GIVE 'ER ABOUT 30 POUNDS.
(JOE)>> ONE OF THESE DAYS!
(CHUCK)>> MAN!
(JOE)>> HEY, HERE'S A LITTLE TIP FOR 'YA. USE SOME OF THIS. NO, DON'T MARK THAT ONE.
(CHUCK)>> INSTALL THE NEW ONE, AND REINSTALL THE NUT. [ DRILL SPINNING ]
(CHUCK)>> OH, @@! ! ## I HAD IT ON BACKWARDS! [ DRILL SPINNING ] ( )>> ROLLING.
(CHUCK)>> SON OF A. .. EVEN THOUGH THIS COMPUTER DOESN'T MEASURE DECIBELS. .. I'M SWIMMING HERE.
(CHUCK)>> NOW, ON THE BENCH THIS THING FLOWED 490 CFM. ..ON THE INTAKE SIDE!
(JOE)>> INTAKE SIDE?
(CHUCK)>> NOW, ON THE BENCH THIS THING. 490 CFM ON THE INTAKE SIDE, 335 ON THE EXHAUST.
(JOE)>> MAN.
(JOE)>> WOW, PROFESSOR POWER, PRETTY SERIOUS HARDWARE. BLEHBLEHBLEH!
(JOE)>> WOW, PROFESSOR POWER, PRETTY SERIOUS HARDWARE. DO THEY MAKE THESE FOR MY. [ LAUGHING ] CAN I GET ONE FOR MY WIFE'S LUMINA?
(CHUCK)>> ON THE LEGEND HEADS, THEY'RE CAST RIGHT IN FOR ADDITIONAL STRENGTH. OF COURSE, USING THAT LONG. .. BOY, I WAS SWIMMING THERE. THEN, REINSTALL THE NUT. [ DRILL SPINNING ] [ MUSIC ] ( )>> ACTION!
(JOE)>> HEY, NICE JOB THERE.
(CHUCK)>> HEY, YOU DID A PRETTY DECENT JOB YOURSELF THERE, SPARKY.
(JOE)>> YOU GONNA SAY SOMETHING ELSE?
(JOE)>> HEY, THOSE FANS AND RADIATOR LOOK PRETTY COOL IN THERE. AND SPEAKING OF THAT, HOW 'BOUT THIS COVER I GOT FROM OBG FOR IT, HUH?
(CHUCK)>> WELL, THAT'D BE #$%^ GREAT BUT YOU GOT IT TURNED AROUND BACKWARDS AGAIN.
(JOE)>> MAN, I TELL YA' WHAT, THIS CAR WAS NO TURKEY BEFORE THE PROJECT BUT I THINK WE TURNED IT INTO A HIGH PROFILE FLYER.
(CHUCK)>> HOW'D WE DO ON THE BUDGET?
(JOE)>> I DON'T #$%^ KNOW.
(JOE)>> I THINK WE TURNED IT INTO A HIGH PROFILE FLYER. HOW'D WE DO ON THE BUDGET.
(CHUCK)>> WELL, AFTER THE, UH.
(JOE)>> WE GOT PLENTY OF GAS NOW.
(JOE)>> I'M SORRY.
(JOE)>> I'M SORRY.
(JOE)>> I'M SORRY. THE TAPE IS ROLLING, GOOD LUCK.
(CHUCK)>> THEN REINSTALL THE NUT. OW, SHUT UP, MAN. ( )>> YOU STRIPPED IT!
(JOE)>> WELL THAT'S A CASE OF ONE NUT GETTING THE BEST OF ANOTHER.
(CHUCK)>> WELL, AT LEAST THE CAMERAMEN DON'T RUN FOR COVER WHEN I DRIVE A CAR INTO THE SHOP.
(JOE)>> OKAY, WELL DON'T YOU RUN AWAY. WE'VE GOT HOT PARTS COMING UP NEXT.
(NARRATOR)>> NOW HORSEPOWER'S HOT PARTS. BROUGHT TO YOU BY SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT. YOUR SOURCE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE PARTS FOR 30 YEARS.
(CHUCK)>> IF A HONDA PULLED UP NEXT TO YOU AT THE DRAGSTRIP, CHANCES ARE YOU'D BE IMAGINING THE WIN LIGHT COMING ON IN YOUR LANE BEFORE YOU EVEN LEAVE THE LINE. BUT WITH A LITTLE NITROUS BOOST FROM ZEX INNOVATIONS, HONDA OWNERS CAN NOW GET THE LAST LAUGH. THIS EASY TO INSTALL KIT HAS THREE POWER STAGES: 55, 65 AND 75 HORSEPOWER. AND, ALSO HAS THIS CONTROL MODULE TO MAINTAIN OPTIMUM FUEL TO NITROUS RATIOS. AND, AT UNDER SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS, NOW YOU CAN SATISFY YOUR YEN FOR EVEN MORE PERFORMANCE FROM YOUR HONDA.
(JOE)>> WELL, WHETHER YOU DRIVE A HOT ROD HONDA OR GOOD OLE CHEVY, EVERY RACER DREAMS OF BREAKING RECORDS. BUT TO BE A TOP COMPETITOR YOU NEED TO KEEP GOOD RECORDS, TOO. THAT'S WHY ONE OF THESE LOG BOOKS FROM SUMMIT RACING CAN BE A HELPFUL TOOL. NO MATTER IF YOU'RE A PROSTOCKER OR A WEEKEND BRACKET RACER YOU WANNA KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PERFORMANCE. HERE YOU KEEP TABS ON ALL YOUR RUNS AT THE TRACK, SETTINGS ON YOUR CAR, TRACK CONDITIONS, EXPENSES, THE WORKS. NOW, THEY GO FOR ABOUT TEN BUCKS AND COULD PAVE THE WAY TO LOWER ET'S AND HIGHER WINNINGS.
(CHUCK)>> HERE'S SOMETHING BOTH YOU RACERS AND STREETERS ARE GONNA GET A CHARGE OUT OF. NOW I KNOW IT LOOKS LIKE JUST ANOTHER WATER PUMP BUT IT'S ALSO A HIGH OUTPUT LIGHTWEIGHT ALTERNATOR HIDDEN BEHIND THE PULLEY. IT'S THE RACE MATE ALTERNATOR FROM BARRETT ENGINEERING, AND IT ONLY WEIGHS THREE POUNDS AND TAKES A MERE THIRD OF A HORSEPOWER TO DRIVE. THE PUMP ITSELF IS A HOWARD STEWART RACING PIECE, AND WITH PRICES STARTING JUST UNDER $500 BUCKS WELL IT'S A COOL HUNK OF HARDWARE THAT WON'T PUMP YOUR WALLET DRY. NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT SOME COOL STUFF WE'VE GOT FOR YOU NEXT WEEK.
(JOE)>> WE'LL GO INSIDE THE COCKPIT OF OUR PROJECT BLUE THUNDER AND SHOW YOU HOW TO COVER SEATS, INSTALL A HEADLINER, AND OF COURSE CARPET. WE'LL HAVE A TIP ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT RODS AND ROD MODS FOR YOUR STREET MACHINE, AND GO BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE QUICKEST CAR ON TWO WHEELS, DANNY O'DAY'S SUPERWINCH.
(CHUCK)>> AND REMEMBER HIGH PERFORMANCE FUN IS WHAT THIS SHOW'S ALL ABOUT. HEY MAN WHAT ARE YOU DOING RIGHT NOW? WELL IT'S A NICE DAY. I THOUGHT I'D DROP THE TOP ON MY FIREBIRD, TAKE A LITTLE DRIVE. YOU KNOW, THE USUAL.
(NARRATOR)>> HORSEPOWER TV IS AN RTM PRODUCTION.
Show Full Transcript
(JOE)>> TODAY ON HORSEPOWER TV CHUCK'S GROCERY GETTER GOT SICK. WE'LL REBUILD HIS 454 BIG BLOCK FIRST WITH A TRIP TO THE MACHINE SHOP. THEN IN OUR OWN SHOP WITH A HIGH PERFORMANCE REBUILD KIT. FINALLY WE'LL FIRE IT UP ON OUR LIVE ENGINE TEST STAND. PLUS SOME HORSEPOWER TV MISHAPS WHEN WE SHARE SOME SCENES THAT WERE SAVED FROM THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR. OOPS SORRY! SO HANG ON FOR HORSEPOWER TV.
(JOE)>> WELCOME TO THE HORSEPOWER SHOP WHERE PULLING WRENCHES IS ALMOST AS MUCH FUN AS PULLING THE LEVERS OF THE LENKO IN THIS '62 CHEVY. NOW, IT BELONGS TO SOME BUDDIES OF OURS WHO'RE GETTING READY TO RACE THIS BIG BLOCK BEL AIR IN PRO STREET COMPETITION.
(CHUCK)>> THAT'S RIGHT. NOW A BIG BLOCK CHEVY'S TOUGH TO BEAT, WHETHER IT'S ON THE STRIP OR ON THE STREET. NOW, WHEN I BOLTED A B&M BLOWER ON MY GROCERY GETTER HERE THOUGH, WELL,I WAS KINDA HAVING TOO MUCH FUN AND KINDA BEAT ON IT A LITTLE HARD MYSELF. CHECK THIS OUT. [ ENGINE STARTS ] [ ENGINE KNOCKING ] PRETTY SAD, HUH?
(JOE)>> YEAH, THAT KNOCKING YOU HEARD WASN'T ED MCMAHON AT THE DOOR WITH A MILLION DOLLAR CHECK, ALTHOUGH WE WOULD USE THE MONEY FOR PARTS TO FIX THIS THING.
(CHUCK)>> WELL, I SURE HOPE NOT. BUT, AS YOU CAN SEE, I'VE ALREADY GOT THE 454 OUT OF THE WAGON, HERE. WELL, WHAT DO YOU SAY WE TAKE IT APART TO SEE WHERE THAT NOISE WAS COMING FROM. NOW, THE FIRST THING WE WANNA DO IS FLIP THIS THING OVER SO WE CAN GET RID OF THE PAN AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THERE.
(JOE)>> NOW, IT SOUNDED LIKE A ROD KNOCK, SO WHAT WE'RE DOING IS CHECKING THESE THINGS TO SEE IF WE'VE GOT ANY EXTRA PLAY. OH, I THINK WE FOUND THE PROBLEM! HEY, GET A LOAD OF THIS FOR A MINUTE. THIS BAD BOY'S DEFINITELY GOT A SPUN BEARING. COMPARE IT WITH A NEW ONE, YOU CAN SEE THIS ONE'S HAMMERED SO BAD IT'S ACTUALLY GOTTEN WIDER WHICH HAS CAUSED THIS LIP RIGHT HERE. SEE THE LOCATING TANK ON THE NEW ONE? IT'S WORN AWAY ON THIS ONE.
(CHUCK)>> WELL, I GUESS THAT'S WHAT STUPIDITY AND A HEAVY RIGHT FOOT WILL GET YOU. YOU KNOW IT WASN'T ALL MY FAULT. AFTER ALL, THIS ENGINE CAME OUT OF A BONEYARD MONTE CARLO, AND WELL THERE'S NO TELLING HOW MANY MILES WERE ON IT.
(JOE)>> WELL, AT ANY RATE, WE GOTTA REBUILD ON OUR HANDS THIS WEEKEND. I TELL YOU WHAT, WHY DON'T WE FINISH TEARING IT DOWN, ORDER SOME NEW PARTS, AND SEND THE REST TO THE MACHINE SHOP. AT THE MACHINE SHOP OUR BLOCK AND HEADS ARE FIRST BAKED IN THIS THERMAL CLEAN OVEN AND THEN SHOT BLASTED. OF COURSE THE BLOCK'S MAGNAFLUXED FOR CRACKS AND FORTUNATELY WE DON'T HAVE ANY, SO IT'S ALL SET UP TO BE BORED. BY THE WAY, IT'LL CLEAN UP AT 30 OVER. NOW THIS ENGINE WILL BE RUN ON THE STREET BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE MACHINIST TO KNOW YOUR ENGINE'S PURPOSE.
(MIKE)>> IF YOU USE A RACE ENGINE, OF COURSE, THE TOLERANCE WILL BE GREATER FOR HIGHER RPM USE. BUT, STREET ENGINES WITH A TIGHTER TOLERANCE ARE DESIGNED TO LAST FOR MANY THOUSAND MILES.
(JOE)>> AFTER BORING THE BLOCK WE CHECK THE ALIGNMENT OF THE MAINS AND DISCOVER THE NUMBER TWO MAIN IS OUT HALF A THOUSANDTH. BUT BEFORE WE ALIGN HONE THE BLOCK, WE'LL CHECK THE DECK FOR WARPAGE. HERE THE MACHINIST LAYS A STRAIGHT EDGE ON THE SURFACE. IF HE CAN GET A .003 FEELER GAUGE UNDER IT, IT NEEDS DECKING. OURS SEEMS TO BE OKAY SO WE'RE READY TO ALIGN HONE.
(CHUCK)>> THE CAPS WERE CUT .002 TO ACTUALLY MAKE THE MAINS SMALLER SO THAT THEY CAN BE HONED OUT TO THE ORIGINAL DIAMETER AND GIVE US THE CORRECT ALIGNMENT. NOW WE'RE READY FOR THAT FINISH HONE OF THE CYLINDER BORES. THE TYPE OF FINISH DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF RINGS YOU USE. BUT IT'S CRUCIAL FOR THEIR PROPER SEATING AND SEALING. WHILE THE BLOCK IS BEING ALIGN HONED, WE'RE GONNA RECONDITION THE RODS. NOW THE CAPS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CUT AND WE'VE INSTALLED ARP BOLTS AND THIS MACHINE OVER HERE IS GONNA HONE THE BIG END OUT TO THE PROPER DIMENSION.
THE RODS ARE THEN WEIGHED SO WE CAN FIND THE LIGHTEST ONE AND MATCH THE OTHER SEVEN TO IT BY USING A BELT SANDER TO TAKE AWAY MATERIAL. THE PISTONS GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCEDURE, AGAIN, MATCHING THE WEIGHT TO THE LIGHTEST ONE. ONCE THE WEIGHTS ARE MATCHED THE SMALL END OF EACH ROD IS HEATED TO EXPAND IT SO THE WRIST PIN CAN BE INSERTED.
(JOE)>> MEANWHILE, THE CRANK IS GROUND TO THE MINIMUM AMOUNT NECESSARY TO CLEAN IT UP. THE MAINS ARE FIRST, FOLLOWED BY THE ROD JOURNALS. OURS CLEANED UP AT 10-10. WELL NOW WE'RE READY TO BALANCE THE CRANK ON THIS MACHINE AND THESE BOB WEIGHTS HERE REPRESENT THE WEIGHT OF THE RODS AND PISTONS AFTER THEY SPIN THIS THING A FEW SECONDS THEY TELL WHETHER THEY NEED TO ADD OR SUBTRACT COUNTERWEIGHTS TO BRING IT INTO BALANCE.
(CHUCK)>> NOW WHILE THAT'S BEEN GOING ON WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE HEADS, TOO. WE STARTED BY INSTALLING NEW BRONZE GUIDES, THEN ENLARGING THE SEATS FOR OUR OVERSIZED STAINLESS VALVES. WE ALSO INSTALLED HARDENED EXHAUST SEATS SO WE COULD BURN UNLEADED FUEL WITHOUT DAMAGING OUR HEADS. WELL, HERE'S AN EASY AND INEXPENSIVE OPERATION THAT YOU'LL REALLY APPRECIATE. NOW THIS LITTLE CUTTER HERE WILL GO IN IT'S GONNA MAKE A CUT RIGHT UNDER THE VALVE SEAT AREA HERE. IT'S GONNA CUT INTO THE BOWL. NOW THAT'S GONNA IMPROVE THE AIRFLOW TREMENDOUSLY. ALSO INCREASE YOUR HORSEPOWER THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE RPM RANGE.
(JOE)>> THEN THE HEAD IS MILLED TO MAKE THE SURFACES FLAT AND TRUE. THE VALVES ARE INSTALLED AND THE SPRING HEIGHTS DETERMINED BEFORE ADDING THE SHIMS AND ASSEMBLING THE SPRINGS.
(CHUCK)>> THOSE GUYS AT THE MACHINE SHOP SURE DID A GREAT JOB. BUT, NOW IT'S OUR TURN TO GO BACK TO WORK. TELL YA' WHAT. I'M GONNA FINISH PAINTING THIS BLOCK AND THEN WE'LL BE BACK TO ASSEMBLE THIS 454 RIGHT AFTER THIS.
[ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> HI, WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOP AND OUR 454 REBUILD. THIS ENGINE IS DESTINED FOR THE STREET, SO IT'S GOTTA BE RELIABLE, ECONOMICAL, AND MAKE A RESPECTABLE AMOUNT OF HORSEPOWER IN ENGINES LIKE, WELL SOME OF YOU GUYS HAVE BUILT OR PLAN TO BE BUILDING.
(CHUCK)>> THAT'S WHY THE PARTS THAT WE ORDERED ARE GONNA GIVE US THE POWER WE WANT IN A PRICE THAT WE CAN AFFORD. SO WE ORDERED AN ENGINE REBUILD KIT FROM SUMMIT, AND IT CONTAINS SOME OF THE BEST NAMES IN THE BUSINESS. FOR INSTANCE, ALL OF OUR BEARINGS COME FROM FEDERAL MOGUL. THE OIL PUMP AND RINGS COME FROM SPEED PRO. AND, THESE HYPEREUTECTIC PISTONS. HEY, THEY COME FROM KEITH BLACK.
(JOE)>> OKAY, WITH OUR NEW MAINS IN PLACE, WE'RE READY TO DROP THAT OLE CRANK BACK IN. HEY, MY BUDDY.
(CHUCK)>> OH YEAH. I'M YOUR BUDDY WHEN IT COMES TO THE HEAVY WORK. TELL YOU WHAT, ALL THIS HEAVY WORK'S GOT ME A LITTLE BIT CRANKY.
(JOE)>> OH, YOU DID A GREAT JOB. I WANNA SHOW YOU SOMETHING HERE. HERE'S WHERE THEY MODIFIED THE COUNTERWEIGHT AT THE MACHINE SHOP TO BRING THIS THING INTO BALANCE. THEN, THEY GAVE US A 10-10 GRIND WHICH MEANS THEY TOOK .010 OFF THE MAINS AND ANOTHER .010 OFF THE ROD PINS, AND, OF COURSE, CHAMFERED THE OIL HOLES AND POLISHED ALL THE JOURNALS. NOW, WHEN YOU DO THIS JOB, MAKE SURE YOU USE PLENTY OF ASSEMBLY LUBE ON ALL THE BEARINGS. [ TORQUE WRENCH CLICKING ]
(CHUCK)>> WHILE JOE'S TORQUING DOWN THE MAINS, I INSTALLED THE MAHLE RINGS ON OUR PISTONS. NOW, WE CHOSE HYPEREUTECTICS BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE LESS CYLINDER CLEARANCE THAN FORGED PISTONS. THAT MEANS LESS PISTON ROCK FOR A BETTER SEAL. AND, OF COURSE, IMPROVED COMBUSTION EFFICIENCY FOR MORE POWER. NOW, YOU SEE THIS STUFF RIGHT HERE? WELL, THAT'S ACTUALLY A TEFLON COATING THAT'S GONNA REDUCE FRICTION AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SKIRT SCUFFING.
(JOE)>> WELL, I GUESS I CAN GET STARTED WITH THESE ROD BEARINGS NEXT.
(CHUCK)>> YOU READY FOR THIS?
(JOE)>> YOU BET, THANKS. NOW, ONCE YOU START SEPARATING THE CAPS FROM THE RODS, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP 'EM TOGETHER. SEE, AFTER THEY'VE BEEN RESIZED LIKE OURS, WELL, THEY'RE A MATCHED SET. IF YOU GET 'EM MIXED UP, YOUR BEARING CLEARANCE COULD BE OFF BY A THOU OR MORE. IN FACT, THE MACHINE SHOP STAMPED IN THESE NUMBERS HERE TO HELP US KEEP 'EM TOGETHER.
(CHUCK)>> WE'RE GONNA USE THIS HANDY LITTLE ROD GUIDE TO HELP US INSTALL OUR PISTONS. ONCE YOU'VE OILED THE PISTON, SLIDE IT DOWN IN THE CYLINDER, THEN LINE UP THAT ROD GUIDE ON THE ROD BOLTS, AND POUND THE PISTON HOME.
(JOE)>> AFTER YOU INSTALL ALL THE PISTONS GO AHEAD AND TORQUE DOWN THE ROD BOLTS TO THE RECOMMENDED SPECS OF THE FASTENERS THAT YOU'RE USING.
NOW, AFTER YOU TIGHTEN DOWN EACH CAP, IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO SPIN THIS CRANK JUST TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO BINDING.
(CHUCK)>> THE CAM SHAFT IS NEXT. AND, WELL NOW'S A GOOD TIME FOR AN UPGRADE. WE CHOSE THIS ONE FROM ERSON. NOW, IT'S A MILD HYDRAULIC CAM THAT'S GONNA GIVE US JUST A LITTLE BIT OF LOPE, BUT IT'LL GIVE US PLENTY OF VACUUM FOR OUR POWER BRAKES AND OTHER ACCESSORIES. THE TIMING SET IS NEXT. AND, DON'T FORGET TO LINE UP THE TWO DOTS. THEN WE CAN INSTALL THE TIMING GASKET AND THE TIMING COVER. THE OIL PUMP IS NEXT. NOW, WE LIKE TO USE A HIGH VOLUME PIECE LIKE THIS ONE TO MAKE SURE OUR ENGINE GETS PLENTY OF OIL. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF TIPS FOR YA'. MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS USE A NEW NYLON LOCKING SLEEVE ON THE DRIVE SHAFT HERE, AND WELD THE PICKUP TO THE BODY TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T VIBRATE LOOSE WHILE THE ENGINE'S RUNNING.
(JOE)>> A FEW WEEKS AGO WE SHOWED YOU THIS SLAM GUARD OIL PAN FROM TRANSDAPT. TODAY WE'RE GONNA PUT IT TO GOOD USE. CHUCK'S WAGON ALREADY SITS PRETTY LOW ALREADY AND NOW WHEN HE CARRIES A LOAD OF GROCERIES, THIS PAN'LL HELP KEEP THE OIL WHERE IT BELONGS. NOW AFTER WE GET THIS THING BOLTED DOWN, WE'LL TURN THE ENGINE OVER AGAIN AND INSTALL OUR HEADS.
(CHUCK)>> HERE'S WHAT OUR FRESH HEADS LOOK LIKE WITH OUR OVERSIZE VALVES, AND HARDENED EXHAUST SEATS. NOW THAT'S GONNA LET US RUN UNLEADED FUEL. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH REUSING SOME OF YOUR OLD PARTS. IT'LL PROBABLY SAVE YOU A LITTLE MONEY. IN FACT, I'M REUSING OUR OLD ROCKER STUDS AND GUIDE PLATES HERE. NOW, BEFORE YOU REUSE THOSE OLD PARTS, THOUGH, THEY REQUIRE SOME PRETTY CLOSE INSPECTION. YOU'LL WANNA CHECK FOR ANY STRIPPED THREADS, BURRS, CRACKS, AND GALLING. IF YOU FIND ANY OF THOSE PROBLEMS, YOU'LL WANNA ORDER NEW REPLACEMENTS. WE WANNA WATCH OUR BUDGET, BUT WE DON'T WANNA CUT CORNERS.
(JOE)>> WE'VE BEEN USING THESE ULTRASEALS FROM MR. GASKET THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT FOR OUR HEADS. WE'LL USE A COMPOSITION GASKET WITH A STEEL RING AROUND THE BORES TO HOLD EVEN THE HIGHEST COMPRESSION. THEY'VE ALSO GOT A SPECIAL COATING TO IMPROVE THE SEAL.
USE THREAD SEALANT ON ALL YOUR HEAD BOLTS. THEN, TORQUE 'EM TO THE RECOMMENDED VALUE. AND, BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S TORQUE SEQUENCE. ONCE THE LIFTERS AND PUSH RODS ARE IN, INSTALL THE ROCKERS AND ADJUST THE VALVES. TO DO THAT, BRING THE CYLINDER BEING ADJUSTED TO TOP DEAD CENTER TO MAKING SURE THE LIFTERS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THEIR TRAVEL. THEN WIGGLE THE PUSH ROD UP AND DOWN WHILE YOU TIGHTEN THE ROCKER TILL YOU GET OUT ALL THE SLACK. THEN GIVE IT ANOTHER QUARTER TURN AND YOU'VE PRELOADED YOUR HYDRAULIC LIFTERS.
(CHUCK)>> WE'LL SHOW YOU HOW WE'RE GONNA FEED THIS 454, THEN FIRE IT UP. BUT FIRST, A SHORT BREAK. WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
[ MUSIC ]
(CHUCK)>> WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOP WHERE MY OLD GROCERY GETTER IS GETTING CLOSE TO HAVING A STREET SMART 454. NOW, TO FEED THAT BIG BLOCK WE DECIDED ON HOLLEY'S ALUMINUM DUAL PLANE INTAKE BECAUSE OF ITS STRONG BOTTOM END CHARACTERISTICS AND THEIR 750 CFM VACUUM SECONDARY CARB. NOW, THIS CARB IS GONNA BE BIG ENOUGH TO FEED THAT 454, WHILE THE VACUUM SECONDARIES ARE GONNA MAKE SURE IT ONLY GETS AS MUCH FUEL AS IT NEEDS. HEY, MAN, I SEE YOU'RE WAY AHEAD OF ME.
(JOE)>> WELL, THAT'S NO CHALLENGE, BUT CHECK THIS. WE'RE USING ULTRASEALS UP HERE, TOO. AND THE NEAT ABOUT 'EM IS THEY'VE GOT THIS SILICON BEAD AROUND ALL THE INTAKE AND WATER PASSAGES. LET ME GIVE YOU A HAND WITH THAT.
(CHUCK)>> THAT'S MIGHTY KIND OF YA'. LET'S GO STRAIGHT DOWN IT. HERE WE GO. THERE IT IS. THE LAST THING WE WANNA DO IS DAMAGE OUR NEW ALUMINUM INTAKE, SO WE'RE GONNA FOLLOW A SPECIAL TIGHTENING SEQUENCE THAT STARTS IN THE MIDDLE AND WORKS ITS WAY TOWARDS THE END IN A CRISSCROSS PATTERN.
(JOE)>> WE'RE ALMOST READY TO FIRE UP THAT BIG BLOCK. AND, HERE'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA USE FOR THAT. IT'S A LIVE ENGINE TEST STAND WE GOT FROM AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATIONS. IT LET'S US TEST, TUNE, AND CHECK OUR ENGINE FOR LEAKS BEFORE WE INSTALL IT.
(CHUCK)>> WELL, I'M ABOUT DONE HERE. I'M GONNA GO GET THAT ENGINE HOIST. [ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> WE'VE BEEN WATCHING THIS PROJECT WITH A CLOSE EYE ON OUR BUDGET, BUT WE DID LEAVE ENOUGH FOR A SET OF HEADERS. AFTER ALL, ANY STRONG STREET ENGINE NEEDS A SET FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE. WE GOT THESE FROM HEDMAN AND THEY FEATURE A METALLIC CERAMIC COATING.
(CHUCK)>> HEY, MAN I HEARD YOU TALKING ABOUT OUR BUDGET SO I MANAGED TO GET A LITTLE FLASH FOR OUR CASH. FOR ONLY ABOUT 60 BUCKS, SUMMIT SENT US ALL THIS AND THE GASKETS TO INSTALL 'EM. [ DRILL SPINNING ] IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA BEFORE YOU FIRE ANY FRESH ENGINE TO PRIME THE OIL PUMP FIRST. THAT WAY, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY DRY STARTS. [ DRILL SPINNING ]
(JOE)>> WE HAD A COUPLE OF MELTDOWNS AND BURNED BOOTS ON OUR OLD SET OF WIRES, SO WE'RE GONNA INSTALL THIS NEW ONE FROM MOROSO. IT'S GONNA GIVE US GOOD VOLTAGE AND RF SUPPRESSION. NOW, THEY CALL THESE BLUE MAX, BUT WE'RE GOING WITH RED.
[ ENGINE STARTING & REVVING ]
(CHUCK)>> MAN, THIS THING SOUNDS A WHOLE LOT BETTER THAN WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT IT IN HERE.
(JOE)>> YEAH, I'D SAY WE WENT FROM REALLY SICK TO REALLY STRONG.
(CHUCK)>> YEAH, AND THE BEST PART IS IT DIDN'T PUT THE STRONG ARM ON MY GROCERY BUDGET, EITHER. I'M NOT EVEN GONNA MISS A MEAL. AFTER ALL, WE SPENT ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ON MACHINE WORK. SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS ON PARTS. AND, A COUPLE HUNDRED MORE ON ACCESSORIES.
(JOE)>> YEAH, ABOUT WHAT HE SPENDS ON A WEEK'S WORTH OF GROCERIES. STAY WITH US. WE GOT THE BEST OF THE WORST OF HORSEPOWER TV COMING UP.
[ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> YOU KNOW, CHUCK, IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT OVER TWO YEARS HAVE GONE BY SINCE WE STARTED BRINGING OUR BRAND OF HIGH PERFORMANCE TV TO TNN VIEWERS.
(CHUCK)>> YEAH, BUT IT'S ALL BEEN FUN.
(JOE)>> AND, WE'VE TRIED TO CONSTANTLY RAISE THE BAR TO BRING YOU THE BEST HOWTOS AND LIFESTYLE FEATURES.
(CHUCK)>> NOW, WE'VE ALWAYS GOT OUR EARS OPEN FOR FEEDBACK ON WHAT YOU LIKE AND WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE MORE OF, WHETHER IT'S ENGINE BUILDUPS OR BUDGET BOLTONS, RESTIFICATIONS, OR RACING EVENTS. BUT, WE HEAR THAT SOME OF YOU LIKE TO SEE OUR FOULUPS EVEN MORE THAN OUR BUILDUPS.
(JOE)>> YEAH, WHILE WE'VE BEEN BUSY IN THE SHOP, OUR EDITORS PUT TOGETHER THIS PIECE FOR YOU. IT'S OUR BEST OF THE WORST. ( )>> ACTION!
(CHUCK)>> REMOVE THE OLD PULLEY, INSTALL THE NEW ONE, AND REINSTALL THE @@! ! ##. AND REINSTALL THE NUT. AND REINSTALL THE NUT. @@! ! ##.
(JOE)>> CHUCK, JUST CHECK OUT HOW THEY RADIUS THOSE AIRHORNS.
(CHUCK)>> I TELL YOU WHAT, THAT'S COOL. NOW THAT JUST ABOUT TAKES CARE OF THE HEAVY NUTS AND BOLTS.
NOW REMEMBER, WE'RE RUNNING ALMOST 15:1 COMPRESSION HERE, SO I CAN'T FIND THE @@! ! ## STUD! SHUT UP, MAN.
(JOE)>> NOW, OF COURSE, THEY'VE ALSO GOT THESE TWOSTAGE SYSTEMS. LET ME GET THIS MASSIVE CARB OFF HERE. I'LL DO IT BETTER NEXT TIME.
(CHUCK)>> YEAH, WE'RE GONNA GIVE 'ER ABOUT 30 POUNDS.
(JOE)>> ONE OF THESE DAYS!
(CHUCK)>> MAN!
(JOE)>> HEY, HERE'S A LITTLE TIP FOR 'YA. USE SOME OF THIS. NO, DON'T MARK THAT ONE.
(CHUCK)>> INSTALL THE NEW ONE, AND REINSTALL THE NUT. [ DRILL SPINNING ]
(CHUCK)>> OH, @@! ! ## I HAD IT ON BACKWARDS! [ DRILL SPINNING ] ( )>> ROLLING.
(CHUCK)>> SON OF A. .. EVEN THOUGH THIS COMPUTER DOESN'T MEASURE DECIBELS. .. I'M SWIMMING HERE.
(CHUCK)>> NOW, ON THE BENCH THIS THING FLOWED 490 CFM. ..ON THE INTAKE SIDE!
(JOE)>> INTAKE SIDE?
(CHUCK)>> NOW, ON THE BENCH THIS THING. 490 CFM ON THE INTAKE SIDE, 335 ON THE EXHAUST.
(JOE)>> MAN.
(JOE)>> WOW, PROFESSOR POWER, PRETTY SERIOUS HARDWARE. BLEHBLEHBLEH!
(JOE)>> WOW, PROFESSOR POWER, PRETTY SERIOUS HARDWARE. DO THEY MAKE THESE FOR MY. [ LAUGHING ] CAN I GET ONE FOR MY WIFE'S LUMINA?
(CHUCK)>> ON THE LEGEND HEADS, THEY'RE CAST RIGHT IN FOR ADDITIONAL STRENGTH. OF COURSE, USING THAT LONG. .. BOY, I WAS SWIMMING THERE. THEN, REINSTALL THE NUT. [ DRILL SPINNING ] [ MUSIC ] ( )>> ACTION!
(JOE)>> HEY, NICE JOB THERE.
(CHUCK)>> HEY, YOU DID A PRETTY DECENT JOB YOURSELF THERE, SPARKY.
(JOE)>> YOU GONNA SAY SOMETHING ELSE?
(JOE)>> HEY, THOSE FANS AND RADIATOR LOOK PRETTY COOL IN THERE. AND SPEAKING OF THAT, HOW 'BOUT THIS COVER I GOT FROM OBG FOR IT, HUH?
(CHUCK)>> WELL, THAT'D BE #$%^ GREAT BUT YOU GOT IT TURNED AROUND BACKWARDS AGAIN.
(JOE)>> MAN, I TELL YA' WHAT, THIS CAR WAS NO TURKEY BEFORE THE PROJECT BUT I THINK WE TURNED IT INTO A HIGH PROFILE FLYER.
(CHUCK)>> HOW'D WE DO ON THE BUDGET?
(JOE)>> I DON'T #$%^ KNOW.
(JOE)>> I THINK WE TURNED IT INTO A HIGH PROFILE FLYER. HOW'D WE DO ON THE BUDGET.
(CHUCK)>> WELL, AFTER THE, UH.
(JOE)>> WE GOT PLENTY OF GAS NOW.
(JOE)>> I'M SORRY.
(JOE)>> I'M SORRY.
(JOE)>> I'M SORRY. THE TAPE IS ROLLING, GOOD LUCK.
(CHUCK)>> THEN REINSTALL THE NUT. OW, SHUT UP, MAN. ( )>> YOU STRIPPED IT!
(JOE)>> WELL THAT'S A CASE OF ONE NUT GETTING THE BEST OF ANOTHER.
(CHUCK)>> WELL, AT LEAST THE CAMERAMEN DON'T RUN FOR COVER WHEN I DRIVE A CAR INTO THE SHOP.
(JOE)>> OKAY, WELL DON'T YOU RUN AWAY. WE'VE GOT HOT PARTS COMING UP NEXT.
(NARRATOR)>> NOW HORSEPOWER'S HOT PARTS. BROUGHT TO YOU BY SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT. YOUR SOURCE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE PARTS FOR 30 YEARS.
(CHUCK)>> IF A HONDA PULLED UP NEXT TO YOU AT THE DRAGSTRIP, CHANCES ARE YOU'D BE IMAGINING THE WIN LIGHT COMING ON IN YOUR LANE BEFORE YOU EVEN LEAVE THE LINE. BUT WITH A LITTLE NITROUS BOOST FROM ZEX INNOVATIONS, HONDA OWNERS CAN NOW GET THE LAST LAUGH. THIS EASY TO INSTALL KIT HAS THREE POWER STAGES: 55, 65 AND 75 HORSEPOWER. AND, ALSO HAS THIS CONTROL MODULE TO MAINTAIN OPTIMUM FUEL TO NITROUS RATIOS. AND, AT UNDER SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS, NOW YOU CAN SATISFY YOUR YEN FOR EVEN MORE PERFORMANCE FROM YOUR HONDA.
(JOE)>> WELL, WHETHER YOU DRIVE A HOT ROD HONDA OR GOOD OLE CHEVY, EVERY RACER DREAMS OF BREAKING RECORDS. BUT TO BE A TOP COMPETITOR YOU NEED TO KEEP GOOD RECORDS, TOO. THAT'S WHY ONE OF THESE LOG BOOKS FROM SUMMIT RACING CAN BE A HELPFUL TOOL. NO MATTER IF YOU'RE A PROSTOCKER OR A WEEKEND BRACKET RACER YOU WANNA KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PERFORMANCE. HERE YOU KEEP TABS ON ALL YOUR RUNS AT THE TRACK, SETTINGS ON YOUR CAR, TRACK CONDITIONS, EXPENSES, THE WORKS. NOW, THEY GO FOR ABOUT TEN BUCKS AND COULD PAVE THE WAY TO LOWER ET'S AND HIGHER WINNINGS.
(CHUCK)>> HERE'S SOMETHING BOTH YOU RACERS AND STREETERS ARE GONNA GET A CHARGE OUT OF. NOW I KNOW IT LOOKS LIKE JUST ANOTHER WATER PUMP BUT IT'S ALSO A HIGH OUTPUT LIGHTWEIGHT ALTERNATOR HIDDEN BEHIND THE PULLEY. IT'S THE RACE MATE ALTERNATOR FROM BARRETT ENGINEERING, AND IT ONLY WEIGHS THREE POUNDS AND TAKES A MERE THIRD OF A HORSEPOWER TO DRIVE. THE PUMP ITSELF IS A HOWARD STEWART RACING PIECE, AND WITH PRICES STARTING JUST UNDER $500 BUCKS WELL IT'S A COOL HUNK OF HARDWARE THAT WON'T PUMP YOUR WALLET DRY. NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT SOME COOL STUFF WE'VE GOT FOR YOU NEXT WEEK.
(JOE)>> WE'LL GO INSIDE THE COCKPIT OF OUR PROJECT BLUE THUNDER AND SHOW YOU HOW TO COVER SEATS, INSTALL A HEADLINER, AND OF COURSE CARPET. WE'LL HAVE A TIP ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT RODS AND ROD MODS FOR YOUR STREET MACHINE, AND GO BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE QUICKEST CAR ON TWO WHEELS, DANNY O'DAY'S SUPERWINCH.
(CHUCK)>> AND REMEMBER HIGH PERFORMANCE FUN IS WHAT THIS SHOW'S ALL ABOUT. HEY MAN WHAT ARE YOU DOING RIGHT NOW? WELL IT'S A NICE DAY. I THOUGHT I'D DROP THE TOP ON MY FIREBIRD, TAKE A LITTLE DRIVE. YOU KNOW, THE USUAL.
(NARRATOR)>> HORSEPOWER TV IS AN RTM PRODUCTION.
