Customer Reviews

Ultimate American V-8 Engine Data Book 1949-74

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

 

 

This book was good about giving info about all types of engines and the differences between them. I still rate it a 4 and hope you enjoy it

You simply cannot go wrong. This book, at this price, is a veritable font of information. The only thing I'd like to see is an expansion of the detail. Info is given on block and head casting #'s, and valve sizes, but no info on camshafts. What's more, there were more American postwar engines in the period that were every bit as interesting as the V-8s (Corvair, Slant-6, etc.). I'd gladly pay more to see it expanded in it's scope. All in all, great book.

Inside the details are thin as the author tries to cover too much ground. He is obviously quite knowledgeable, just bit off too much. And, I just don't care about Chevy or Ford stuff.

I have had this book for a long time and have used / read it so often that the pages are pulling away from the binding. As with most books, this one is not perfect, but probably comes as close as humanly possible. I've worked for Ford and GM dealers in their parts dept. and it always comes in handy when someone needs to identify a engine or part. I have started working at the swap meet at Hot August Nights and this book will be in my bag of must things to bring!

Great book.Brief history of each engine's development,design aspects,special features and application.Informative unbiased text.Pages of casting numbers,dimensions,horsepower and torque figures.All the main manufacturers and some lesser ones featured.This book was just what I was looking for and I recommend it to anyone whose interest is V8 performance from the factory.

Sessler paints a clear picture of each of the American V8 engine families during this time period. He presents the strengths and weaknesses of each design as well as their specs and histories. Even the novice reader soon knows why certain engines succeeded (e.g. the Chevy Small Block and Ford's 385 series Big Block) when others failed (the Ford 312 and Chevy 409), as well as which of the "Off-Brands" are good (Buick's 455 and the AMC 401 for example). I wish he had included more specs like bore spacing and engine weight in his data panels. Likewise I disagree strongly with his assessment of the V8 engine as "For all intents and purposes dead and gone". There have been a number of new V8 designs introduced since 1974 and some of the old designs are going to be around for decades to come. Overall however it is hard to think of a motor book that gives more bang for the buck than this one!

This book is what I was looking for a while!!!Great detail!Priceless facts!A must have for any motor head whether you like Ford Chevy Mopar or whatever.Its here!The book binding was a little cheaply made but the information was...WOW!I would have been happy if it was written on notebook paper!The book puts the engines into familys which is very comprehensive.I learned a lot and gained new respect for almost all the engines this book references!!!