Customer Reviews

How to Rebuild Your Small-Block Chevy

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are rebuilding your chevy motor in stock form, this book is for you. If you plan on modifying your motor to any extent, it is too outdated and its suggestions for machining and assembly do not apply.

I have used this book in my business for about 10 years. It is used both as a reference and a training aid for my customers. It is indispensible and there is no other book in my extensive library to compare with it. I highly recommend it to both the novice and professional.

This contains a detailed description of exactly how to rebuild you small-block Chevy. What I most liked about it was the practical checkpoints that it included, to check whether each stage of the engine build had been completed correctly. For example, when assembling the crank into the block it tells you exactly how much force should be required to turn it after it has been bolted in. This is invaluable for the inexperienced mechanic who is thinking "is it meant to be that tight?". The practical nature of the book is great: "this area is prone to oil leaks so add some sealant here (photo)". In summary, this book seems to have all the useful stuff that other manuals leave out and I would not rebuild my Chevy without it.

David Vizard's book should be in the hands of anyone planning to rebuild a small block Chevy. From teardown, to inspection, evaluation of parts, and reassembly, it's all here for both the novice and experienced wrench-turner. You may have to buy 2 copies...the first will be so grease stained that it might become unreadable! Don't tear down your engine without it.

This book is what you want if you are looking for a book full of chevy small block facts. It tells you want you want and need for putting together any type of motor.

Written from this guys personal experiences. Could use more details/options for the rebuilder and less of his personal gabbing. Otherwise, it's a great book to start with.

I wanted to rebuild my sbc and have used David Vizard books before so went for it. I read all the way through and thought I was ready for the undertaking but found, when I knew more of what need to be done, that there is absolutely no instruction on how to measure what main and rod bearing sizes are needed. I mean that's a pretty big oversight. Maybe they didn't have plastigage back then so it was just best to ask a machine shop to mic it and tell you? Either way, wish it had been at least mentioned this needs to be done and not just go with the stock size and keep your fingers crossed.

This book has everything you wanted to know about the Chevy Smallblock. It gets kinda wordy, and very technical for someone who just wants to play around. If you are serious about rebuilding the Chevy Smallblock perfectly then get this book

This a good book for someone that has no moter rebuilding experance! It also give a good hisory of the small block chevy.

4 star could have been better.

The book is probably best for "noobies" to Chevrolet small block engines.

The good:
1. engine removal and tear down...

2. tool usage including compression tester...

3. lots of good explanations and understanding...

The bad:

1. covers 1955-1986 flat tappet camshaft engines with carburetors... 1987-2011 efi and roller cams seek info elsewhere

2. not a good enough explanation on hand filing, or hand fitting piston rings and the reasons why...

3. Needs a chapter 10. Tuning the engine for economy and performance... With information on using a timing light and vacuum tester with carburetor adjustments...

Overall a good read that will give the novice more info than what 50% of shade tree mechanics have.