Big Block Mopar: Explaining Hidden Power!

[@UnityMotorSportsGarage]

If it makes you feel better.... My Brand new Ford BOSS 351 Windsor block had the same problem it was out of square front to back. This started out as a completed shortblock.. had to square the decks on MIXED UP BOSS!

[@JustMoparJoe]

That’s wild! I have some 351w rods to show on Tuesday that are really bad factory castings. I had no idea!

[@UnityMotorSportsGarage]

@@JustMoparJoe I Had .010" taper front to back on passenger side and .012" taper back to front on driver's side.. but once again have seen this same thing on Dart Blocks, World Products... And most aftermarket blocks +.010" for you to do final finish work out of the box. This was a great Video Joe. I have said it in my videos. Quality Machine work is the corner stone to making good power!

[@JustMoparJoe]

I’m glad this block got corrected. It should make for a solid foundation.

[@UnityMotorSportsGarage]

@@JustMoparJoe you have a great foundation to make some serious power... Can't wait to see what you do!

[@edsmachine93]

Thanks Andy. I appreciate you comments. I did a World ManOWar it was not to bad end to end but the 90° was off slightly. About .003 to .005 I'd I remember correctly. I really like the blocks thou. Thanks again, EM.

[@maximuswedgie5149]

I could watch this all day. Those guys are true craftsman. I spent 12 years in a machine shop watching genius at work. I’ve been a welder fabricator for 32 years and have had the privilege to watch and learn from great men like these guys. Not sure many of them would have let someone film them, this is pure gold. Great video Joe.

[@mikeoswald15]

I'm also a welder fabricator, and I sometimes wonder if I should have gotten into machine work. Not being a union welder, pay hasn't been great until this past year, being promoted to supervisor (daddy daycare)🙄. And, I'm retirement age now, but plan to work for awhile yet

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Brother. It was fun to see it all up Close!

[@440phoenix]

ED'S Machine shop is on the money. 👍

[@JustMoparJoe]

Like George Washington!

[@IronHorseGarage]

Mind boggling...amazing how far off a block can be from the factory. It's great to have a source like these fellers!! I might drag a block to Arkansas!!

[@JustMoparJoe]

They’ll do it right! Gotta be worth 20 hp or 227 Armadillos!

[@mikecrawford5331]

That’s not a new block it’s been through thousands of heating and cooling cycles it was probably much better when new

[@firebreathinggarage2117]

Not many Machinist today are this meticulous on perfection. Shout out to your Machinist Joe.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother. He’s a pro!

[@318willrun]

Great Video !! Your building a power house!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Tim! The first one I’ve gotten this work done on before. It will definitely help optimize it.

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Nice to see pros attending to detail. All the lil things add up, and its amazing what time, use, and mass production tolerances add up to!! Now you have the basis for a really happy engine!!!

[@JustMoparJoe]

This is the first I’ve gotten this done on. It should be a 7k ready machine soon!

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

@@JustMoparJoe Ill be following close... Ive got a 400 just waiting for my attention, and the parts runner is ready for that upgrade yesterday LOL!!#

[@DuddiesAdventure]

That sure is a good looking shirt you are wearing! But be careful, I hear wearing that shirt can raise your Insurance premiums..... Duddie's Adventure is not responsible for any harm or regrets that come from wearing that shirt. Great episode Joe! You never really know what goes into building a true motor for maximum horsepower until a machinist looks at it. The level of detail you showed on what's involved is amazing! Great episode! This motor is going to rip when you are done!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Duddie! Congratulations on 1k! I know Ed is subbed now!

[@jamesbehrick9588]

Joe, you are lucky to have access to guys like this for your builds!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks James! Glad to know them! I will look better building and running an engine this true.

[@A-BONEpickup]

a good seasoned block for the machine shop

[@JustMoparJoe]

It definitely was! It’s a lighter version now! 😂

[@natehull7221]

As a former machinist i love and appreciate this video!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Nate! Ed is a stand up guy.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Great to see you have some great machinist in your area!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Mitch!

[@scotts439]

great video, you are lucky to be close to Ed's, that guy is a wealth of knowledge!

[@tomstrum6259]

Took me a few watch thrus to absorb all the Geometry Precision going on here !! .....I had No idea block Register, Indexing & Set up had Advanced to this Precision degree !! .....Big thx for putting this vid up !! .....You brought me up to date....You got a real Good Machinest doing the job....

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks, Tom! Ed is the man. I am a believer after seeing the engine in the dyno and feeling it run on the track. He gave me a great foundation for the build.

[@BigfootsnMopars]

Ed and Wayne are awesome! If starting from scratch, some day I would love to have an engine built at that level of craftsmanship. Fanelli Restorations has a cool series like this too.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Mark. I will do a build series with this 400 and show some more in-depth stuff than I did on the 413 or 360. I subbed to the Fanelli’s channel. There is some good stuff there.

[@Mike62501]

Love to watch people who knows what they are doing!

[@JustMoparJoe]

It was great to get the first hand experience! I learned alot those two days.

[@DustorBust]

Great stuff Joe!! Yeah, my small block deck was like 0.030 off. Pays to check the details. Was cool to see the decking.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Marcos! I got you a mention in my video tomorrow. 👍🏼

[@DustorBust]

@@JustMoparJoe thanks buddy!

[@JeffLeblanc-xb7qe]

Ed’s the man well done good thing for technology

[@edsmachine93]

Great video Joe. You did an outstanding job putting the video together. Nice editing! Glad we all did this together. I hope this helps people have a better understanding of what really goes into the good machine work. You as customers have a choice. Now you have some knowledge what to look for and expect. So you, can have a better engine. Raising the bar to the next level. Thanks, EM.

[@toddselph5992]

Ed's Machine. Thanks for allowing us to have a glimpse of what goes into machining an engine and checking cylinder heads correctly.

[@JustMoparJoe]

I appreciate the experience Ed!

[@edsmachine93]

@@toddselph5992 You're welcome Todd. I hope you can use the information. Thanks, EM.

[@musclerestorer7223]

So many useful stuff !!!I’ve just talk about your Chanel in my last video!!! Thanks for sharing the passion and all your gearhead tips 👍🏻💪🏻🍻

[@JustMoparJoe]

I appreciate that! I’ve got a lot of work coming on the 65 coronet, and I’m doing a build series on this 400 sometime this year. I also better get my racecar back together 😅

[@bertgrau3934]

This is exactly why I always have the head(s) and block milled when I rebuild an engine, even a slant 6 . Ed explained the need years ago, and I had him mill my 170 cid slant 6 . (My 1st complete engine build) I can say it was worth it. I won't rebuild an engine without the complete milling being done

[@edsmachine93]

Thanks Bert. You are a true friend, and it has been a privilege to know you and work for you over the years. May God bless you always. Thanks, Em.

[@JustMoparJoe]

I got to see it with my own eyes. This one was pretty rough.

[@Mr39036ce]

Most engines will amaze you,so many parameters that are just barely " in the ball park" and it runs fine. You want to get full potential? That's why a good machinist isn't worth money, he's probably worth at tenth over the other guy you're racing. And just to touch on the slant 6 , there's a vid right here on KZbin of them decimating the competition in the short lived NASCAR compact car series. I think they were 170 cu.in. with the hyper-pac option. And if anyone has ever seen one they made a 225 aluminum block motor too. Had one in a 62' Lancer gt.

[@richardmoerke9329]

Good one!!! These guys are way too cool! Let you in the shop, explained what he was doing,how he was going to fix it, and he didn’t care if you filmed it to show us!! I have never had a shop even try to let you know what is going to happen to your part. Will you thank these guys Joe.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother. It looks, sounds and smells like a real machine shop! Glad to have been there

[@andrewfrisard8960]

I’m afraid that quality machine shops are becoming a lost art down here in Louisiana…a lot of great info in this video!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother! They are lost everywhere! Ed wants to get me on a machine sometime! Lol

[@markszczepaniak5888]

Good info on decking a block that I did not realize, thankyou for the education lesson. Another good one.👍

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Mark!

[@ninjapumkin]

These have been an amazing three parts so far Joe. Love the attention to detail

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Brother. I will do a build series on this engine. And I will make a conscious effort to get it on a dyno.

[@brucegillies1694]

Yes blue printing is still very important

[@tomdamon7208]

Another awesome vid . Learned a lot . Most auto machine shops don't have the fixture to do the work those men do . Or the skill to correct the factory machining . also , most guys building engine think it's not worth the effort or the cost . they would rather install a bigger cam to compensate . We need more folks that inour hobby . thank you !

[@JustMoparJoe]

I agree, Tom. Machine shops are going out of business or staying so backed up that it puts them under a great stress.

[@MidnightOilsRestoration]

Great video, I live near Tulsa. I may give these wise men some business! great machine shops are scarce these days!

[@JustMoparJoe]

I definitely recommend! Thanks Brother.

[@1563smb]

Thank you Joe I've always heard the term four corner decking but I've never really knew what it meant. That info is priceless. I will be saving this video in my favorite's.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Shane! It was cool to get to see it in action.

[@stephenmitchell2322]

The engine machine shop I work at before I went over to production machining that was standard to true the blocks up. But as he mentioned in the video your at the mercy of the crank.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Well said, Stephen. I’m appreciative that I could see it all first hand.

[@bw3506]

My last 400 block was off 11 thou on one side and 9 on the other to flatten the deck. Amazing how whilly nilly these things were machined from the factory. But i guess it was good enough for what they were trying to do. "Get em out the door." And some ran a lot of miles so apparently it was good enough. I like him letting you film in there. 👍

[@JustMoparJoe]

Check out Ed’s machine on KZbin. He started his own channel after this.

[@chrislangdell117]

That's alot of good information. I knew how important it was. I have never seen it done. Also I have never seen individual blocks measured. I have heard from engine machinists that build ridiculous race engines that a well prepped blue printed block can add between 40 to 60 HP. That is when your getting into extreme powered engines that are pushing 1200 to 1500 HP. This video helps you easily see why.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Yes sir. On this level of build, it should add 20 hp. Will find out with the build!

[@dirtlump]

With BB Mopars. that's why we keep our old manual Boring Bar around ? With the vintage legacy Blocks... we always Deck the Block "equal & square' to the main Bore FIRST.... then mount the Boring Bar directly on to the squared Deck to ensure it is then corrected/Bored perfectly 90* to the Main Centerline. The way to check that your Boring Bar is Boring straight.... is to Bore a hole .024"... then take a sharpie marker and draw 4 lines top to bottom in that cylinder.... then remount the Boring Bar a180* around and re-Bore thatHole at .026" or .002" larger. It should CLEAN all the Sharpie marker ink off !

[@JustMoparJoe]

That’s an awesome old school trick. I’ve seen the boring bar in action.

[@timrayburn2461]

Great video and machine work

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Tim!

[@jefferypitts343]

This is an awesome illustration of the relationship between the deck height and bore centers, by the numbers, chrysler slapped this engine together using a set of average clearances , I learned a lot, and I could also watch this all day, this is how it's done right!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother! This engine should hit the 500 hp mark with stock stroke.

[@daviddavis9720]

That was an awesome video Joe! I'm about to tear down my Magnum 360 to get to the machine shop and see what they can tell me. I'm using a new machine shop that was recommended and they specialize in Mopar but I hope they are as good as ED's.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks David! Glad this can help!

[@mikeoswald15]

Would be nice if e&d had a website, but I'm sure they get all the work they can handle as it is. I'm going to hit subscribe Joe. Great content

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thank you Mike! I love sharing my projects and others that I’m working on. I will do a build series on this block with the Edelbrocks reworked.

[@hemisidetrack2767]

Very interesting video Joe. Thank you for doing this. You have a great machine shop there man, letting you get in amongst all the activities. Great stuff Joe thank you.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother. I hope to do a build series on this engine for the channel.

[@terrymeyer9895]

More great information. Thanks Joe and to the guys at the machine shop! Their expertise and attention to measurements is invaluable. Great video!!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Terry!

[@jesseduke694]

I love tech videos like this! I recently had a ford 390 block decked & it was out of square total about .016. That is what I got measuring from each of the four corners in relation to the top of the pistons @ TDC. Good video!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Awesome! I know they can't all be this indepth, but I will share any chance I get.

[@danielslocum7169]

i hope you used the same piston/rod assy on all 4 corners.otherwise you could be decieved by slightly different rod lengths.

[@xr7coug]

Nice shop, those seem like awesome machinists! The fact that they are taking the time to educate folks and do the job right is a blessing for the younger crowd and us OG's. Hard to find a good shop in my area.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother

[@vrm86gt]

glad you got it all machined in to correct specs now!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Yes sir. Going to be a dynamite 400!

[@benoitvilleneuve3554]

Good to know, l plan to build a 500 ci with a 400 mopar bloc 👍

[@JustMoparJoe]

This practice can be worth 20+ hp!

[@JonnyMopar]

As always cool video Joe. Love the technicals

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Jonny!

[@rvc69bee]

Great video!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother!

[@speedbuggy4095]

Awesome video

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother! It’s the real deal!

[@speedbuggy4095]

Ya it is defiantly going to be a HotRod

[@dartgts383]

I've seen that twist many times in the engines I've built , it's partly machining but it's also the block settling after the thousands of heat cycles. Any engine I have a hand in gets the decks squared, the shop I last use can square the decks and keep the factory stamped numbers on the id pad using a Rottler CNC.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Superb! You will like my video coming up soon. I had a different machinist check the bores of a freshly machined block before and after final honing, both with and without the Torque plate.

[@79asspin]

This has been a great series Joe, really enjoying it.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Jaybo! Lots to learn on my end.

[@soonerlegendspodcast]

I would make a trip from Oklahoma to where ever this gentleman is to do my machine work

[@JustMoparJoe]

He’s in Rogers Arkansas!

[@dinadaughtry8993]

Very good explanation of why shaving heads to make better compression don't always get the power gain expected and how the relationship between the deck and center line of crank bore can gain more power than expected also the importance of the relationship between both decks to each other,in other words it's better to get a block square than to just make the bore bigger and add compression

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Dina! Hope to hit 500 horse with this stock stroke 10/1 400.

[@cherylalastra]

Duddies Machine 💜💜🙏

[@bobganshaw364]

Great video.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother

[@MoparMan-ff8fb]

with all that machining will it affect how how the intake sits on the block and bolts to tge heads ? I hear you have to re-angle the gasket surfaces especially when you shave the heads to gain compression?

[@big3fan916]

Simple answer is yes

[@JustMoparJoe]

Every block is different. We didn’t take this one to zero deck. Just enough to clean up the decks and equalize them on both sides. It’s actually now close to factory specified deck height.

[@shanew.williams]

Good educational vid Mopar Joe.These things fall under the heading of "Blueprinting" an engine. The explanation of block deck height measurements being off "side to side" or "front to back" etc. is a bit redundant as "decking the block" is just that...leveling the deck. No matter where it's "high" or "low"...it gets "decked" just the same.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Shane. Should make for a dynamite build!

[@cjm5002]

I bet the heads that came off of that block look like cinamon twists! Looking at the front of that block I bet you were terrified of a terrible off center cam bore!

[@JustMoparJoe]

You know I got that block bare. I hope they resurface the heads, wherever they went! 😆

[@billycollins1757]

Great video fellas.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Billy. Be sure and check out Ed’s channel. “Ed’s Machine”

[@bbivens8263]

As a Machinist who machined nuclear weapons components for 30 yrs to tolerances as close as + .00000" to -.00002", I appreciate a real Machinists work. I wish I could get my 440 machine work done there. We have some slap happy machine shops around here. Yeah, that`s 20 millionths of an inch tolerance. But I know better than to request that for a block!

[@JustMoparJoe]

That’s precise! Thanks for sharing

[@cheathunderwood]

Same for me on my 24v cummins. It was out 8 thousand from front to back

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks for sharing’

[@LilRedGarage]

Great series Joe! Very informative! I’m going to have to send you a Lil Red Garage t-shirt 😆, what size do you wear?

[@JustMoparJoe]

XL! That’d be awesome! Shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@LilRedGarage]

@@JustMoparJoe got you brother!

[@maxfastest]

excellent video !!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother. Hope to start this build up soon.

[@SteveP-vm1uc]

Joe, did they align hone the block before this work? I have seen the raised area toward the center cylinders before, but never heard a good explanation why it happens. The best I can figure is that is an area that doesn't cool as well and over many heat cycles, sort of says high. Also, you are very correct. MOST machine shops not only don't want your cameras in the shop, but they also don't want you.. That is either because they have some secret machining or they are not great machinists and don't want anyone to know that!! lol.. It is great to watch and get the reasoning behind every move.. You can buy books with all kinds of tricks and explanations, but seeing it is another ballgame all together.. And ya know, we always knew that the factory tolerances were crazy, but here's proof.. And many say todays factory machining is far superior because tolerances are far tighter. Well, this is not the first time I have heard about LS blocks being way out of spec!

[@JustMoparJoe]

I elected to not align hone. I had them check and it was within tolerance. Much closer than the decks. I gained a lot of knowledge from being here. I appreciate Ed for allowing me in.

[@SteveP-vm1uc]

@@JustMoparJoe Gotcha... ~~ Ok, now the next engine you build you should step up your home prep before it goes to the machine shop. Things like easing oiling canals and water ports. Removing all the slag inside the block that you can get to. Channeling bearings for better oiling. I am sure those guys can tell you a ton of great little helpers!!! ;)

[@cherylalastra]

this is pretty cool💪🔥

[@JustMoparJoe]

Ed is the man. Respect

[@timmolinari5420]

Hi Joe! You have a really good channel. You show the viewers all the small stuff that make these engines sing. How much does that cost to do all the machine work? I’m in the special state of California., everything is so expensive here.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thank you Tim! Pricing is dependent on lots of things. Im scared to know the cost in California!

[@hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542]

Huh... One of these days I should go visit you. I don't live a long ways from you and I go to Fayetteville for doctors visits [I used to live in Fay and work at the U of A, but now I live closer to Harrison area. I'm thinking of taking the 413 out of my motor home and building it up and putting it in a small car.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Ed is the man!

[@jwhpopeye]

Great video. Good info. I would love to send my 400 block to these guys to have it squared up like this. What's the cost to blueprint a block like this?

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother. I think price is depending on the block and it’s condition. I was able to go in and gained a lot from the experience.

[@toverturf9097]

You can take quite a bit off the deck off a 440. Line bore the crank and deck block but Magnaflux the block first… especially around the mains.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Yes sir. That’s the way

[@billyjarvis27]

What machine shop was this, I been looking for one to do my 360magnum. I know your pretty close to where I live and I don’t mind driving for a quality machine shop such as this

[@JustMoparJoe]

E and D machine in Rogers Arkansas.

[@cavaleiro95]

Where is this shop located?

[@JustMoparJoe]

E and D machine in Rogers, Arkansas

[@dartgts383]

In your first video on the e street head you said there was a video on the repairs done , is it not posted yet ?

[@JustMoparJoe]

No sir not yet. I have lots of footage banked, but haven’t made a complete video of it yet. It will definitely come out before the engine build. These heads are going on a 400.

[@mikedaugharty5544]

very great info!! i hate to think about my engines.. is the block not stressed relived that the cams brgs not in alignment when rebuilding due to block being seasoned??

[@JustMoparJoe]

I've heard of the bores having some shift. Ed is one of the only people I know who can correct that.

[@mikedaugharty5544]

@@JustMoparJoe my old machinist said last cam brg on mostly 383 was in need of massaging the brg to fit .. he was a general line machinist, cars trucks, farm ect,,..not race prep. like ed takeing it to another level, it almost has to be shift after 100k rebuild.... or chrysler did a cam brg sizing on problem childs at factory!??

[@toddselph5992]

Joe that engines going to be a bad dude when you get done with it. Just goes to show how far off a mass produced engine can be.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Todd! I wanted to show the background on this one before it gets built up on the channel

[@moms762]

Where is this engine machine shop at?

[@JustMoparJoe]

E and D Machine shop in Rogers Arkansas.

[@ladamyre1]

Little known advantage those old Chrysler engines had was the diameter of the lifters. Chrysler had the largest of all the "Big Three" and this allows builders to grind cams with a faster rise on the lobe so they can achieve a higher lift for any given duration using a flat tappet lifter, solid or hydraulic. Roller lifters negated this advantage but in the days of the 392 Hemi it compounded along with that hemispherical combustion chamber that completely unshrouded the valves and let that engine breathe.

[@rustyh8806]

A lot of after market Chevy blocks use Chrysler lifters. AMC used the same lifter bore. .903”

[@JustMoparJoe]

I actually did a video a long while back comparing the chevy and mopar small blocks. That's where I first heard of the lifter science. Good Stuff!

[@claudenoel4666]

Where do you a craftsman like this in the St.Louis area ?

[@JustMoparJoe]

These guys are in Rogers Arkansas. Not too far from St. Louis if you want to visit Fayetteville.

[@jasonjason5184]

Would this procedure be more or less difficult sleeved all 8 cylinders?

[@JustMoparJoe]

That’s an excellent question. I’m not sure on the ease, as the machine still aligns and sets up the same. Ed would know the answer for sure

[@parkermcwilliams1058]

😁👍

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Speedy!

[@tomstrum6259]

Just wondering if Piston ring Rotation is Desirable & what Really makes it Rotate ?? ....I always thought the usual Factory little bit of Deck "Out of Squareness" was maybe Design Intentional & Caused the slight Unequal combustion Pressures to start & Keep the Rings rotating ?? .......I sorta get the "Minimum Parasitic" Side-Thrust friction Losses idea you doin there..... if the rings Stop rotating from the near Perfect Piston Alignment, does that Hurt any Ring/Bore wear Longitivity ?? ......Thx for putting up another Great video showing some nearly unbelievably Machining Accurately !!

[@JustMoparJoe]

The rings always rotate, they say, until the engine gets worn out. The bronco engine I pulled apart and rebuilt had every ring lined up! Someone had to explain that to me. My guess is that the rings spin from following the crosshatch of the block from honing, and from the thrust of the piston into the outer edges of the bore.

[@josephmkarpinski8362]

Looks like you did a great job squaring the block but didn’t you use torque plates when boring the cylinders?

[@JustMoparJoe]

Correct. Torque plate honed, but not bored.

[@brucesherrill4116]

Where is Ed’s Machine shop located?

[@JustMoparJoe]

In Rogers Arkansas. It’s called E and D machine.

[@brucesherrill4116]

Thanks!

[@bassettraceengines]

Core shift was bad on that block you can see it when you look at the front of the cam tunnel. You are good to go now.

[@JustMoparJoe]

A world better!

[@jeffrykopis5468]

18:40 I notice that the rod in your hand appears quite bent. Was that one from your engine?

[@JustMoparJoe]

It was from an old 408 stroker that came apart after breaking an eagle cast crank.

[@jeffrykopis5468]

@@JustMoparJoe You broke an Eagle cast crank? That's disconcerting. I thought they were safe to 500hp. I was thinking about getting a 360 Magnum from the boneyard, and building a low buck 408. On Engine Power, they made 330hp but 490 lb ft with stock heads and cam. Torque is more important on a street car, I'm tired of 3.91 gears and 3000 stall converters, I'd like to drive my car across the country.

[@tomreyn3610]

It’s what they call “blue printing”. As designed. Production just gets close. And it’s good enough. - great example. * So, is this measurement taken from the crank centerline? * Also, I’ve heard a lot of connecting rod ends do not run parallel. Is this serious?

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Tom. The deck height is determined from center line of crank. His measuring tool was referencing the bar that ran through the mains.

[@44hawk28]

That block may not have been nearly that far off when it was originally made. But after thousands of heat and Cooling cycles, cast iron can Warp a good amount. That's why updates that are sometimes put on Big Blocks are only done on blocks to have over 100,000 miles on them because the block is completely normalized and will no longer warp. Depending on the type of aluminum used, aluminum will Flex quite a bit, even each time it's heated up. But it eventually normalizes to some degree also. Why do you think on the North Star engine the rear cylinder head on the front wheel drive Cadillacs was always pulling the bolts right out of the block. Because Cadillac did not understand that when you put a steel bolt into an aluminum block. It has to be heavy coarse threads because of the fractal nature of aluminum. Once you do that upgrade on a Northstar Engine, the larger head studs will keep the heads from allowing them to warp and pull the engine apart. A well-designed engine, but General Motors could not figure out or would not take the time to make sure that the two-piece block was actually sealed. But once you get a few of the book worked out it's actually a pretty good engine. Horribly over engineered but a good engine once you get the bugs out of the way.

[@JustMoparJoe]

I remember my dad dealt with several in his work. The dealership told him that it burning a quart of oil was normal between oil changes.

[@TheProchargedmopar]

👍💪

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother

[@vmaxmuscle5612]

How was that motor even running ? Seems to me it would pop gaskets one after another and leak compression

[@JustMoparJoe]

@@vmaxmuscle5612 I would bet the heads slowly warped with the block over the last 40 years. The engine came out of grandmas C body, with a 2 barrel. Add in the super low compression and it didn’t have much to leak out

[@thomasward4505]

great video but you might try to make them a little shorter so people will watch all of it.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Thomas. I always put out my longer videos on Saturdays. That will give people the weekend to watch if they’d like. But if you’re an engine enthusiast, this should be a good one to stick around for.

[@darrenbrisson4336]

The number right beside the block number is the casting number yours is 5 that's good that's what you want 1 to 5 is best

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Darren! Have a good one

[@ericj3112]

How much did it cost for the work done?

[@JustMoparJoe]

Eric, I have a working deal with Ed. If you’d like his contact information, shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@tomstrum6259]

At 19:00 that 0.015" Feeler Gauge piston to wall Clearance is probably a bit Exaggerated looking as most piston Top to ring land Diameter is usually Smaller Diameter than the Actual piston Skirt Diameter near the piston pin location.......

[@JustMoparJoe]

Yes. It was a crude example. The majority of my videos are aimed at the average gearhead. You may find when doing videos that it’s extremely difficult to give concrete examples without computer graphics or programs.

[@stannelson2582]

Ok crazy question from a know nothing background lol. If we are being so perfect with the block. How do we make the head gasket maintain that perfectness. Won’t the head gasket undo what you just accomplished with making the block perfect. Head gaskets have variance don’t they or does torquing the head fix it. Sorry for my un educated theory/question.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Good question! I’m going with cometics that are multi layered steel. They are machined within.000010 tolerances and the multiple layers will adjust to some deviance in the surfaces. Fortunately for me, my block is now decked and my heads will be also. It’s as close as it could be without a cnc machine.

[@stevodakine1]

Like a machete and a samurai sword. They both kill, but one does it a little faster.

[@gatorred157]

i have a newer cnc machine made hunting rifle the bolt rails(in receiver) level the scope level the cross hairs are not strait up and down it off some way i had to move scope a little more to make it right, ok i measure engine blocks if i rebuilding them if not right fix it! square it right to a machine shop with my measure make sure i was right? if i right fix it! i went threw auto repair tech school in high school i went to drag racing & military I got sick in 1992 - 2018-19 i was told i was sick from & hidden by posin sumac in blood of blood cancer oh great i about to D but my uncle guy who blood thinner based on! from like 1984 in military don't count, there time for it to come out! the other stuff in my blood delayed it being found!

[@JustMoparJoe]

That’s wild! Hope you pulled through it all stronger than ever!

[@gatorred157]

@@JustMoparJoe I was put on blood thinner for life (because my true father & mother were not known my uncle had illness from military when the government found out what was released from my sealed adoption they realized they screw up when my true uncle was related to me & my step father too) my state did a odd rule & my real father asked the court for info my uncle did that! it was odd! I was inside a dodge/plymouth/chrysler in newark Del in 1975 - 1986 my other uncle was a big wig there! it was a big family

[@gatorred157]

did you call my cell and leave a voice mail! it shocked me i in camper a lot over i heard that it had something about a scope! i delete it before i realized it might been you? i worked on mopar's , rifles building and shooting & inboard and out board boats, computers too, i worked on diesels engines and semi trucks, s broken back stops heavy stuff, ( alot of the computer & tech machines in this world are based on man I had a talk to or with in 1984 a mr Gates of Microsoft is his company) i was hit with a car & recovery the place i worked sent me TDY Mr gates showed up there( the people i reported to had no idea what a computer was & that it needed changed in the way it was accessed i had worked on similar machine( my dead computer trainer knew it type he said that thing a pile of junk) what would you do if Mr gates and a IBM computer showed up at your work? I gave a good talking to, I setting here it calling for snow & rain tonight threw next week to the 20 th cold I sleeping in a camper with a house full of old computers xp type several & windows 7 type 3 & 2 windows 10 type a guy died left me more BB gun or stuff used for shooting & my relation rangeboat & fishing stuff & solar that i though was a pile of crap too that working still Gregg

[@mikecrawford5331]

I like the machinist level trick but couldn’t a machinist straightedge and feeler guage check the deck flatness?

[@JustMoparJoe]

Yes sir. I believe I show that in the video. But it can’t check variance from end to end, or side to side. Then the difference in deck heights from the main bore could be more or less.

[@mikecrawford5331]

I will rewatch

[@tomstrum6259]

Don't think Typical (0.006") factory production Cylinder to Cylinder bore spacing Offset is causing you Any Measurable power Loss with Full Floating piston pins...Factory Mopars already have a Vertical 0.060" piston pin Thrust side Offset to Minimize piston Slapping which lots of builders Reverse (Causing even More piston Slap Movement) in Hopes of more power which has generally Never been Measurable.....Any Reasonable (0.003" -- 0.006") Horizontal Offset is Easily absorbed by the Typical 0.013" rod to rod SideClearance.....Now a Diagonal slanted Horizontal top to bottom Cylinder Offset Is gonna cause some weird Piston/Rod friction generating Gyrations wearing things out & possible Measurable power loss.....I've never seen any Dyno tests verify these specific Effects....Just my thoughts on a very Interesting & probably Not generally Measured by most folks.....I could be major Wrong thinking on this & I'm sure Minimum or Zero Horizontal Offset Is preferred......Big Thx for showing this......

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks for the support!

[@48northphotography5]

What happens when this generation of machinists no longer exist?

[@JustMoparJoe]

I think the torch is being passed in several family based machine shops. For others, it’ll be a slow learning curve. Definitely a dying art.

[@jerryhatrick5860]

Just flip the piston lmao.. Huge power gains, ask ugly Tony. Used pistons and flip em, works every time a lose motor is a happy motor. Ugly Tony know best. A used cam helps also. As well as installing it with a hammer. Oh and add nitrous. So it gets down the track top notch hahahahaha.

[@JustMoparJoe]

😅 man that’s tough

[@dynodon100]

Just make sure that your block is true before you open up the block..020 ,.030 , or.055 ...whatever.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Ed’s machine made this block true to the crank alignment.

[@mikebartley481]

What about heating the block and then take measurements if you really want to be accurate.... Lol

[@JustMoparJoe]

This is a climate controlled shop. But the engine has heat introduced when the machine starts cutting on it. There’s too many different times with temperature variance’s. The expansion rate of the engine should be the same.

[@carnalsupply]

Have to complement you Joe, this is an OUTSTANDING series of videos you’ve put together with Ed and Wayne. Feel lucky I found the same kind of craftsman out here in Vegas to machine my 512, who, like Ed and Wayne, walked me through the steps he took to true my block.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thank you! These are good guys at got have a passion for their work. Doesn’t happen much anymore.

[@snake_eyes_garage]

Thank you for these videos. Always great to learn from those who know. My engine builder is a bit more discreet, let's put it that way. I know most people know this, but this is not cheap work. Maybe a bit less in Rogers, but still not cheap. On my 440 HP block due to the need to fix the geometry (factory tolerances, core shift) and some pitting at the top of one cylinder is why we ended up .060 over. Given my application, plenty of material between each cylinder, aluminum heads, etc. it is fine being at that size. The cost of the complete engine will not make any sense to anyone so I'm not likely to boast about it at car shows. :-) I do eventually want to get my '64 Hemi block weld-repaired and get that engine built. I also think one of the cast iron heads needs some repair as well. My bank account needed to take a break but I do want to get back to finding a reputable shop that will take that on.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Ed may be your man! He’s had experience with many a hemi. Thanks for the support! And you are correct!