How to Build & Modify Chevrolet Big Block Engines (Motorbooks Powertech Series) [Paperback]

Tom Currao (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997 | Series: Motorbooks Powertech Series

A complete guide to building and modifying all of Chevrolet's legendary 396, 427 and 454ci big-block V-8 engines.

Big-blocks were used in 1960s and 70s musclecars, Corvettes, and trucks.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks International (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760302030
• ISBN-13: 978-0760302033
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,056,775 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From knowing nothing to being an expert on big blocks., October 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Build & Modify Chevrolet Big Block Engines (Motorbooks Powertech Series) (Paperback)

This book has been a great resource, and guided me through a 502cid 470hp Marine engine build up and blue print. It gave me the confidence and guidance to polish and port my heads and make the proper Valve size and material selection.Also covered the Gen 5 and 6 blocks that are the new generation. With all the little head modification that he suggests and shows you to do, the dyno results where 506hp @ 588ft lbs of torque at 5200 rpm exceedeing my requirments and providing me with a very friendly motor. He also gives everybodys point of veiw in the industrie rather than foucus on one way of doing things he throughs all the respected engine parts and builder points of view in and lets you decide. Worked for me.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Maybe not that good..., May 9, 2000

By 

Dan Zabetakis - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Build & Modify Chevrolet Big Block Engines (Motorbooks Powertech Series) (Paperback)

I'll offer a dissenting opinion. I didn't find the information in the book to be all that informative. There's little if anything different from what the manufacturers claim in their literature. Some of the sections seemed to be direct quotes from the manufacturers. Too brief, too many short blurbs. For me, it didn't help to distinguish between the wheat and the chaff in the aftermarket.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book with good mix of detail and media, January 8, 2000

By 

Rob Wehrli (Melbourne) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Build & Modify Chevrolet Big Block Engines (Motorbooks Powertech Series) (Paperback)

Tom Currao put together an excellent book! I found each page to be exciting and filled with relevant detail. I was also able to identify with Tom's book because I also use the Mr. Gasket Desktop Dyno application for "figuring" out engine combinations. A handy list of suppliers is provided as is also an index. I feel that Tom's book has the best opportunity to become the defacto standard for replacing the now dated How to HOTROD Big-block CHEVYS book. I think that the book will be of special appeal to "grassroots" racers like me who need to be budget conscious while trying to go as fast as possible.