History of Chevy's NASCAR Engines: Small Block Evolution Details Up Close With a Legend (SB2 & R07)

How much does the Chevy SB2 have in common with a pickup truck 350? Lets find out! The small block Chevy as it were found in a pickup truck made its way in modified form to NASCAR racing in the early 1970's. Today they are still the same 350 cubic inch displacement but the entire engine shares no factory parts whatsoever. How did we get here from "stock" cars? Keith Dorton has been building NASCAR engines since the 1960's and has every iteration of the evolution for us to see. From the bowtie heads to the Pontiac Brodix 867s to the legendary SB2 into the current Chevrolet Performance R07 engine used in NASCAR today!
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[@Stapleton42]

We have been wanting to make this video for a LONG time! The legendary SB2 engine may have more in common with a stock pickup truck engine than you'd think! Support the channel and grab a shirt or hat like mine! stapletonautoworks.com

[@a-zlin]

Really appreciate the time and effort you guys put into your videos. Thank you! Stay well and safe travels!

[@MrUltraworld]

Fascinating video! Keith and his brother Randy are legends. I learned a ton seeing the various engines side by side.

[@rodney1818]

I have to admit I love the fact that Logan asks very good questions to ask that most of us wouldn't even ask because we already know what refresh a race engine Consists of

[@Bbbbad724]

I enjoy your channel very much, the knowledge and experience, the “Easter eggs “ like seeing the 2,inch main and huge cam was really cool. I enjoy those kinds of details and really appreciate what you do to bring those.

[@ronaldrey8474]

Keith is so MODEST you'd never know... I seen Kieth on Horsepower Monster several times & extremely talented. But until this video I didn't know what I didn't know and if it wasn't for you & Logan I'd probably never know any of these NASCAR STARS. You two are loved. /⁠ᐠ⁠｡⁠ꞈ⁠｡⁠ᐟ⁠\

[@dennislamers986]

The man looks 55 years old. It's good to see Logan ask questions. The girl has a lot of knowledge. Good job guys.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

I hope Keith is reading this: KEITH, YOU ARE ONE OF THE UNSUNG HEROES IN THE HISTORY OF NASCAR RACING!!! THANK YOU!!!

[@stevemitchell9848]

4 shure!

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Thank you and have a great day. @@stevemitchell9848

[@Bbbbad724]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@tyleracimovic823]

Is Keith Dorton Randy Dorton's brother?

[@harryhonzik2205]

I'm 71 years old always been a Chevy guy. Don't make a living being a mechanic but repair and build a variety of machines you name it! Really enjoyed it and learned a lot. Thanks

[@Stapleton42]

thank you for being here harry!

[@joehoulihan5305]

There you guys go and do it again! I can’t believe you’re interviewing Dorton!! He is a legend in the history of NASCAR, how many race winning engines he’s built, inspired, trade secrets! Can you imagine working with Jr. Johnson!! Dang. Thanks again for getting all of these stories that would have been lost forever recorded! Your both making a living record of Nascar history! Your recordings will be viewed for years to come. Thank you!

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Joe we appreciate you!

[@greglammers9905]

I am 64 years old. I worked on my first small block Chevy when I was probably 15. I have been a mechanic all my life ( mostly heavy truck and diesel stuff) my son and I race dirt cars and have always built our own engines, still running small block Chevy engines. It blows my mind how many of these engines have been built since it was introduced in the 1950’s. Great video as always.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man!

[@carrsllccarrillo6507]

It's the beauty of GM engines, despite the evolution of it's development over the years , it's basic principle of a standard push rod engine construction stayed the same! Affordability and reliability!

[@rolandtamaccio3285]

At the very start of the 358 cube, small block era, the 1975 Daytona 500, Bill Jenkins, DiGard, and Donnie Allison caught the perfect wave, and Donnie put the car on the pole . By then, we at Jenkins Competition were 3 and a half years into our small block Pro Stock program. In '74 somebody from DiGard contracted Jenkins to build a small block just to do that . Almost all of the NASCAR teams were concentrating on the last of their big blocks, and had done very little or nothing for the upcoming small block season . I did all the machining on the rods, and the even less finished pistons . Worked like a charm, ,,, !

[@Stapleton42]

Thats awesome! Do you still live near the old Jenkins shop in PA? Send me an email [e-mail]

[@artmchugh5644]

​@@Stapleton42years ago I delivered fuel to a guys place in Pennsylvania, had a machine/ engine shop , in the office getting a check I saw photos on the wall of Grumps Vega 😊😊😊 it was John Lombardo 😅😅😅😅😅 we talked 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Stapleton42]

@@artmchugh5644 I have talked to Larry Lombardo on the phone before. Reminds me I should call him again!

[@bennyhelgeson401]

That half hour just flew by. When Keith made changes was it seat of pants experience, dyno testing, or team of engineers using calculators telling him what changes may work. At 79 still working at that level on daily is no easy task. Your ability to get these interviews and your specific knowledge never ceases to amaze me. Thanks Mitchell and Logan you two are exceptional.

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Benny!

[@gordocarbo]

@@Stapleton42 Thought we lost keith in a plane crash quite some time ago

[@Stapleton42]

@@gordocarbo That was his brother. Randy Dorton

[@jeremyedwards4832]

Love from Montana . My dad was a GM guy he helped me build my first car . 350 Chevy in a 1980 elco ss . Graduated high school and rolled it racing my friend Spoiled or couldn’t handle the power of a simple sbc . Either way those days shaped who I am today. I started that power plant after my dad passed away and it brought back a lot of memories. Thank you dad . Rest easy I miss you

[@jordymiller7830]

We drag raced with an SB2 headed Dart aluminum block back in 2006 in a Top Dragster. The engine was 452 CID. It made 950HP with 2, 1350 Dominators an a 1" camshaft. Back then you could buy up all the SB2 stuff dirt cheap as the NASCAR teams moved to the RO7.

[@Stapleton42]

Things like that make me wish I was older. Now all the dirt guys use sb2 stuff and it’s expensive again

[@gordocarbo]

@@Stapleton42 What a drag Ive been wanting to build a larger CI sb2.2 for my st car...guess it wont happen

[@z06doc86]

Keith Dorton is a legendary engine builder. The depth of his knowledge is unmatched. Hope he gets and stays healthy. The loss of his brother Randy and several other Hendrick team members was so tragic. Thanks for your excellent videos.

[@Bbbbad724]

The only person I revere more is Ed Pink. Look at what he did with what he did, the Cammer 427. That was and is still amazing 3000 hp. Keith Dorton is 2nd on the list for me. Robert Yates is third. He began the journey of the C heads. The block they had a lot of factory help, I can’t imagine any 3 inch main 3.5 bore block living like that and not absorbing half the power the heads made. The Boss 9 broke 3 inch main cranks and and were only faster than the FE TP at 3 tracks but would break a crank if they ran long enough to be faster. I saw the dyno numbers and the Boss 9 made 613 hp and the FE. Tunnel Ports were all at 590-603, but on race day they were all at 605 hp, 150 lbs lighter to boot. Amazing is how he started out in the age of FEs and had a career of engineering to his FR9 and xxx to come. The Cleveland and FE had the strongest cranks of the time and he really wanted that crank baked into the C and Ds like the he original Cleveland had and the 2.74 main 2.31 rods and combustion of the two were so well balanced like the combustion of the TP FE and 2.74 main and 2.43 rods were. Few people went that deep, using combustion at the pistons to balance the crank and rod throws at their most vulnerable moment is “old school “ that computers are just now being verified. Thank you folks for doing this, reading your feed is the high point of my day! I love all brands of racing. I have built engines since high school and hanging out at Larry Phillips shop on Division Street. I just listened to him trash my long hair and he couldn’t run me off. 1975. Me, Mark Martin, and Rusty Wallace working on the same car. I would never trade it. They ragged me about my beat up Mustang until I took them for a ride, I had a 431 cu 427 FE Tunnel Port that I could strand the front wheels up in Ist and 2 nd. And at 150 it was smooth as butter. No more FE crap. I built it at home with used parts. My 1/4 times put me at. 600 with two 750s and torque you will about need a diaper for those Gs and stubbed it with a 65 Galaxie front. Here I was later watching them run with the big boys! Those were the days. I lost my license at 15 before I had one until I was 21. I was taking an LS6 Chevelle to school on a country road, C&I driving and a blank top speed while the Chevelle likely turned around when he saw the lights up ahead. He gave me my $300 and the 9 inch rear.lol.those heads are worth my house after I ported them. But half what they cost if I had left them stock for 550 hp. I wish still had them , every set of heads I seen to send for finish at a machine shop seem to get displaced. Next time I’ll wait to do the eyebrows over the intakes and laying back the short sides, lol. I will tell y’all that you do absolutely the best films of our greatest generation who took the machete through the brush to build the best technology for us to leap forward in science, Legends one and all and grabbing this knowledge and method of making a winning car before they are gone. They developed telemetry. You can’t know what to ask until you figure out what you need to know. Your race background is what you share and we all benefit from, Thank you!

[@charleshaggard4341]

He looks late 60s to me. This was a great interview and his willingness to show the different engines. I am a few years younger but he was there in the "golden age" and that is priceless. Nascar and NHRA are all corporate big money now. Thanks.

[@lukearnold23]

I love the SB2, C3, & R5 era of Nascar bc of the high rpm. I like to go back and watch from 1998-2004 Nascar to hear the RPM they pulled. @ the Glen in 1999 Boris Said I remember has his onboard cam and is pulling 10,000+ rpm

[@Stapleton42]

All day! That was the best era

[@AnDrEw122100]

It would’ve been the d3 in that era but nonetheless I agree . Most definitely the best time in nascar . Anything before 2004 really was better than today hands down . I always watch old races .

[@tngtacticalmiata1219]

I truly miss how Nascar used to be. And, I love listening to these guys talk about the business. It's unfortunate the direction Nascar went but, I guess everything changes... Good stuff, guys.. I look forward to your next one...

[@davidfleishman2275]

Correct.Todays Cup car is some sort of F-1,IMSA deal(Junk).The Cup teams have to buy a car?The main stay of Nascar was for the teams to develop and build their cars.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man!!

[@Bbbbad724]

Was that cam tunnel mostly for roller cam bearings or a combination of a roller bearings and a bigger can? I miss ed the rod journal size. It would have to 1.88 rod journal.

[@kramnull8962]

@@davidfleishman2275 Banjo Matthews built the majority of the old 80's chassis. Teams could build their own I suppose, but they were hard to beat back then.

[@kramnull8962]

@@Bbbbad724 Like the LS one of the main gains would be a bigger radius across the small part of the camshaft. Less float at high RPM, than say a SBC cam from the 60's. The SBC lobe is very pointed/steep even compared to the LS's lobes. This builder didn't point that out, when he pointed out less spring pressure now than ever, to get over 8000RPM.

[@chemicalspore]

Dale E. was so involved in all aspects of the sport. Racing the cars, fixing them, running his own race teams. Incredible how things have evolved. Great video

[@vanslawson2329]

When Keith built you a motor... was strong and durable. We ran one of his motors in a Ronnie Hopkins late model stock in 1990 when Derrike Cope won the Daytona 500. Rocket was his main man in the shop at the time. So sorry he lost his brother. Two smart men.

[@lewispaine4589]

Another gem interviewing that man, wow he's a walking library of race engine building.Well done

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you!

[@gordocarbo]

Slowly losing the old timers that know so much about making power . Lost Joe Sherman a few yrs back

[@gcrauwels941]

The cam tunnel/crank bearing ratio is surprising.

[@Wooley689]

I can't say it enough, but you and Logan are making historical gold with these videos. These guys you both visit and talk with and this information can now be saved for years to come.

[@Doogie_Causey]

Thanks Mitchell and Miss Logan, Mr Keith is an pioneer in sbc race engines

[@sethhughes2163]

Keith has always been a hero to me. There is not one engine builder who deserves any more respect than him. Experience and dedication... can't be discounted or replaced. As always I appreciate your content my friend, I enjoy the trips back down memory lane! Merry Christmas to you and your family young man, Seth

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Seth!

[@joe-hp4nk]

The golden years are behind in nascar. I think the days are numbered. It no fun watching 40+ cars in a pack for three hours.

[@Smith-wk6pb]

They started calling B.S. yellows in the late 90's...

[@robertsteele7672]

Seems like Keith is a Grumpy Jenkins kind of guy, working tirelessly on every angle to get the best performance possible from the basic stock material provided by the manufacturer. Not many like him any more! Keep up the good work there you two. Well done......RS, Maj Ret. Alberta, Canada.

[@robcates2383]

Learning a bunch here MITCHELL, new very little about SB2, GREAT VIDEO MITCHELL and LOGAN!!!!!!!

[@Stapleton42]

thank you rob!

[@misawajason]

Your content never fails to deliver. Logan and MItchell, thanks for yet another great video. Awesome that you're able to document these personalities before they're gone and all the knowledge is lost.

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you that’s what we aim for!

[@jblow530]

Wow what a legend! I built hundreds of small blocks back in my 20's, and have always been fascinated how successful they were and still are in many forms of racing. All those parts in this video were a sort of "black magic" back in their day. Thanks as always for sharing this amazing history!

[@rgan32]

Find these people, video these people and keep them in our minds. They don't make them like this much anymore! Your good work for a lot of people. Thank you two

[@chetcalhoun613]

As an engine machinist and builder (years ago), I was always impressed by how it all worked! All the math involved to get all the parts working together! Another great video. Thanks for sharing! And at the end of the day, when the engine hit the numbers on the dyno, and there were no drips, leaks, or errors, it was a gratifying day at work! Personally, I built more diesel engines than gas engines…but it was all fun for me!

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you! That’s awesome

[@proudpennsylvaniaman7996]

Fella is so knowledgeable and badass. The whistle though had me cracking up

[@brianholcomb6499]

I’m glad you are picking out some of the best builders we still have left! Don’t just stick with NASCAR stuff! A engine is a engine! You should definitely talk to the older guys as much as possible before we lose them! David Reher is one that has done everything! Also, people seem to forget about Gale Banks! Thinking he just makes parts & is a diesel guy! Far from it brother! He did turbo, small & big block, before most of these guys today were ever born! You also have Kenny Duttweiler out there! I’m glad you are doing all of this! Your family should be proud 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😂!

[@Stapleton42]

Absolutely man we’re on top of it! Working on a few drag racing related things now

[@Ole_CornPop]

You can tell hes a Chevy engine guy at heart but he respects Ford engines for what they were able to achieve and that opened him up to not turn down the people that wanted a Ford engine built.

[@Stapleton42]

He built the dodges too but you can tell Keith loves the SB2 😂

[@kimmorrison9169]

What a fascinating interview with Keith. I couldn’t stop watching. A great deal evolution of these engines. Keith being 79 is about right to have lived this stuff from the very early days of nascar

[@AnDrEw122100]

I’ve watched a video before where he told a story about reading in between the rule book lines lol. They gained power and a smoother transition of airflow when they introduced plates by doubling up plates and running a cork gasket I believe that drooped into the plenum helping power . Something like that going off of memory .

[@dougcox2537]

I am glad you did this video. Following NASCAR from about 68 - 69 this is great. I remember seeing picture of those big block just setting on a bench in the garage area being worked on or being installed in the car. I have never seen anything like this on these engine. I have been in machining for 45 years, with 22 of those owing my own CNC shop, but never doing engine stuff. I did make some 4340 rods for a nitro Harley Davidson drag bike. If I could have changed directions I would love to have the chance to work with Robert Yates. He was my hero in NASCAR next to Buddy Baker driving the Dodge Chargers with those 426 Hemi's.

[@RegalsTransport]

I believe what he was referring to when pouring the sealer in was silicone silicate. The same thing farmers would dip their eggs in to keep them from cracking during shipping. You could buy it at the drugstore and it would come in a mayonnaise jar. I had a blown head gasket and a old race car mechanic sent me to get a jar. I poured it in, and let it get to temp and then sit overnight, I drove that car for another five years without touching the head gasket

[@emsguy486]

At 2:08 I see a machine from Rottler in the background. If it weren’t for watching all of your videos I’d no have a clue what that was but now i do. Every video you produce is like a history lesson. I love it.

[@Stapleton42]

Heck yeah! Rottler is awesome

[@Jonimho]

Love visiting and comparing old to new. Have to done a video on the old school tech of the day looking at the traditional small blocks that this video started with. Some of the old boy are still reluctant to share their secrets. Back then thy did so much with so little. Great work!!!

[@skipper9400]

Thanks Keith ! for taking your time to do this....great stories and nice to watch you still having FUN ! .....OnWard........

[@hawk6dm7]

We cracked a head of a fresh engine at Martinsville in 1979 during the race. We got 130 laps out of it.

[@nathanmangouranen3119]

Yes I most certainly do find this of interest value. Thank you for being a voice of substance for those of us who aren't tech savvy. Sincerely, Nathan W Mangouranen of Franklin NH

[@SStudiopro]

I absolutely love watching these videos dude. I’m a huge Chevrolet fan, have been from day 1. I’m aproching 66 years of age and when I was the years of 15-45, I ate and slept racing especially engines I built race engines during that period of my life. I want to purchase the equipment to do this once again. I don’t want to go new technology though, I want to do it the way I was taught by my late Brother to do it. To me that’s how you build race engines. No computer machines. I grind seats, grind valves, use a boring bar and a 1\2” drill motor and hone for that. To me that’s building a race engine. Thanks dude for sharing these shows

[@williamwhitt9831]

First off I want to say that I love your videos, I’m old school, I grew up in the big block era, driving old big block Chevelles, the 396,402,427,454’s but I’d have to say the strongest small block four bolt main I ever built was from a 87 K10 Suburban lol but coming in at a close second would be the 350 from a 1970 Impala, that thing produced a lot of power but the wildest small block I’ve ever owned would be a 1968 Corvette 327 that I found from an ad in the local Car Trader paper here in North Carolina and that thing lived in two of my cars that I owned, first a 1966 Chevelle and then my 1955 BelAir backed up with a M20 Muncie 4speed transmission and a 3:73 gear, man that was a wild ride, I think it surprised a lot of people when I went pedal down, even me lol

[@rdallas81]

Awesome.

[@NHIWYL24]

Thanks for bringing back the old days. I can't look at Nascar races anymore. I watch you and the races from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Keep up the good work. 😊

[@Stapleton42]

Glad you like them!

[@buiItnotbought]

Man it's so refreshing when an interviewer is knowledgeable on the topic! We get the same good technical info like we get with HPA Andre. Great video!

[@Ada-zn3pw]

The Dorton name is legendary. This was awesome and I would have never guessed this man is almost 80. Always loved the SB2 engine. Would be a lot of fun in a street car for sure

[@volksrodden9522]

It was a couple of years ago when I came across this channel. I think I was looking up nascar history….crazy I know, haha. Anyhow thanks for the great content and knowledge nuggets

[@Stapleton42]

Praise the search function 😂 we’re glad you’re here man and thank you for being a supporting member!

[@deantait8326]

It took me a lot of your videos to finally realize it was Keith Dortan I met when he was building engines for the # 10 car and Derrick Cope. I think it was at a little shop by the AP. I was at Pennzoil and at that time Pennzoil owned Purolator…. I was in the Petersen Publishing suite at Daytona and probably only 1 of a few hundred people that was trilled when Earnhardt cut the tire in turn 3 on the final lap of the 500.

[@chevyboyforlife4234]

I would literally do anything to get one of those awesome engines to put in my 91 s10 blazer 2door...it would literally change my life

[@yamarider6199]

dude we need another video with him. so much knowledge and so many questions!

[@leprechaungarage]

Great video, I forgot how good your videos are on the history of motorsports . Been about 6 months since I watched your channel . I apologize lol

[@Stapleton42]

Glad you’re back 😂

[@courtneybaggett2096]

Came across your channel about a year ago maybe and I’m all for spending my personal knowledge and learning new stuff especially when it’s history involved especially with vehicles in the evolution of them so I appreciate everything you do. Keep up the grind. Look forward to what’s next. Thank you.

[@douglasburford8452]

The evolution of the GM and Ford engine videos are the best. But that is what racing is for, research and development.

[@macsmith-cg6wg]

Had no idea they used the 350 block for so long. I enjoyed Logan and you in your very own Snowball Derby. Cool go cart 😎

[@bowtieguy6870]

Another great video Mitchell! No one would ever guess he’s 79. That’s a living legend for sure.

[@Stapleton42]

True that!

[@TaylorFireman]

Awesome video! Such a humble man who has seen way more than he could ever fully share. To me it is amazing to see these icons of racing who without you, a lot of their story would never of had the opportunity to get out to the masses. The generation of the quiet professional. Loving the builder series, love hearing history from the people who had a hand in it.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man we appreciate you

[@GeorgeGriffith-vf4tl]

I would have guessed that he was no older than 65 or so.....😊

[@GeorgeGriffith-vf4tl]

What a great story. Amazing to hear it from a guy who was there.

[@GeorgeGriffith-vf4tl]

Great channel guys.

[@sivvybee]

Very interesting video. This is what got me into Nascar. Hell I had a Barry Grant 1040 cfm Carb on my Chevelle because of Nascar. Cost 833 dollars in 1990 with 4 corner idle. Best Speed equipment piece I ever bought.

[@RLD_Media]

That guys whistlin S’s are incredible. “A sign of wisdom” - is how my grandpa who talked the same way, would defend himself when anyone said anything about it lol.

[@HammerPowered]

This is the content that KZbin needs so thank you for capturing this. Always enjoy seeing these kinds of things from the guys that have been there and done that for a long time like Keith has. Both you and Logan do a great job of asking the right questions and that really helps make the content fascinating.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man we appreciate you!

[@philiphagemann4773]

How many insides you get is incredible! For me as a relativly new Nascar Fan from Germany it is extremly nice to have your channel! Thank you very much! Keep them coming

[@Stapleton42]

Welcome aboard! Thank you Phillip!

[@rodney1818]

Or if you're somebody who's around fifty and have gotten really tired of the bureaucracy of NASCAR and don't watch Nascar anymore But miss and Longford the Golden age of NASCAR here is your channel

[@Stapleton42]

We’re glad you’re here man!

[@shafferjoe1962]

Another great video. Thank you... I'm from Valley Center Kansas. I tried to meet you both and pick up a shirt in Great Bend 2021 KS at drag week. Still hope to meet you both one day. You videos are great for learning the history of racing. May God be with you both and protect you on your travels.

[@franksantos4505]

I've always wanted to learn how to build a motor from ground up , know differents on water channels , or change this add this...for that little better on top end , little tricks others want to know under the hood..!! On Island back home lots of mini trucks do engine swaps to keep up with hot rods on outlaw race...🤫😅😎🤙🏽

[@djpar3492]

I remember when sb2 came out. It was pretty revolutionary at that time. It was pretty limited to cup motors. 18 degree heads were still a big upgrade for the short track guys. I stopped caring about racing a few years later. Mid to late nineties was the height of racing in this country.

[@andyharman3022]

Designing, building, testing, and racing engines is not just a job. It's a way of life. These are machines that move you. Stapleton42 has tapped into the heart of the sport.

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Andy 💪🏻

[@rosswilson4196]

The Dorton brothers are race engine legends. Thanks for visiting and video from the Keith's shop. Very interesting to me.

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Ross!

[@foxracer1703]

How did you even get the opportunity to not only talk to him, but make a whole video with him? What a dream!

[@Stapleton42]

I called his shop number and told him what I wanted to do lol

[@foxracer1703]

@@Stapleton42 that's even better. I love a regular guy that doesn't mind passing along his stories and letting you pick his brain a bit. I would've brought some burger King and asked to have lunch haha.

[@joshuahamilton6217]

Your videos just get better and better. It's so awesome to learn all the back storys on the car's I got to watch every Sunday with my dad. I was lucky enough to be born in the early 80's so all the stuff you are getting info on is soo interesting and cool to find out

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks joshua!

[@dave3156]

Interesting to see the development of small block Chevy. I really wish they would give the Cup guys some of the horsepower they took away. Hate hearing about momentum racing. Thx

[@Stapleton42]

I agree. Let them have 900 again

[@PimentoSpitfire_76]

The way that the SB2 has a valley cover with the coolant passages, and the intake is a separate piece is genuinely amazing to me. That and the way that the R07 has all of the coolant passages exposes. It's like look at a skeleton of an engine. Great video as always, keep it up!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man it is wild isn’t it!

[@PimentoSpitfire_76]

@@Stapleton42 super wild, I can't wait for the dodge evolution video. It's going to be cool to see the evolution from a 426 hemi to the R5P7. I bet Richard Petty would have alot to say about those old hemi engines!

[@speedwaystevecronk6680]

Another Outstanding Racing History Video! I sort of knew of the evolution of the Chevrolet race engines, now I know more about the heads and the major diffrents. Wonderful interview with Keith and the knowledge he has. And yes you can tell he really likes the SB2, and the storys he Could tell when Not on camera. Thanks Again for all your Camera, interview and edit work. Salute to Logann for some good questions, both of you make a great team.

[@jarvislarson6864]

Keith is a legend i was a kid reading hot rod magazines dreaming of the horsepower the camaro of my dreams would have after reading articles on engines he built.

[@danielhudson8005]

Love that dude he knows his stuff keep it up

[@randalltufts3321]

Buerocracy (EPA) has gone after some aspects of racing . They would do well to remember that without racing and the improvements made in technology by guys like him we wouldn't have the efficiency and durability we do today in factory motors. The auto industry benefited greatly in the r&d department that racing brought to the table, saving the major auto makers billions of dollars and man hours . Some say "its all done on computer now" . Well this proves otherwise because without the hands of a guy like this building and testing no one knows how strong or durable it actually is. Thanks for bringing videos like this to the public. You two are doing one hell of a great job. Thanks!

[@whistlenuts2564]

I haven’t watched your videos in awhile, but every time I tune in I totally enjoy them! I like the way you pay homage to the older dudes! Those guys have forgotten more than most people will ever know. Respect and keep up the good work.

[@DM-eb7tu]

Hey Mitch and Ms Logan. Ms Logan ask some really good questions. Wonderful team guys. Super great interview. Keith is a treasure. Thank you.

[@giulianorocco4216]

I'm originally from Brazil, lived in USA California 95-98, now my home is Brisbane Australia for the past 17 years, I love Cars in general, mechanics and all related to motor racing, your videos are amazing, the history o Nascar, and the behind the scenes, mechanics, engineering etc. ( which i did follow more often back in those years Dale E., Jeff G. and so on, thank you very much for doing this fantastic job showing us the amazing world and the evolution of motor racing! Love your work! God bless you guys!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man!!

[@mayhemwritingcompany]

Wonderful insight by one of the masters!

[@dalewarriorofthesea3998]

What a Champion 79 years young Thats the magic of engines

[@PerryMMason]

Great stuff as usual Mitch, your editing must take hours. I love how you mention things and reference another video you made or show a photo reference. Nice work. 👌🏁

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you Perry. It does take me at least one full day worth of work sometimes more

[@uncledave56]

After watching alot of your videos I have noticed Logan is learning and asking some good questions.

[@Stapleton42]

She’s always been paying attention…just been unable to speak up recently from too many people talking 😂

[@DaleTerry]

Wow Ƙeith Dorton! You guys are so awesome bringing us this content! I actually learned some things watching, and as usual, I'm grateful to you.Btw. Keith is holding up good kind of like Lake Speed. Also I was surprised to hear him and Randy didn't share secrets when he went to Hendrick. Fascinating! Thanks again! Loved it!

[@Stapleton42]

Our pleasure!

[@cndream1]

The historical information is just fascinating !!!!!!!!!!!!! These guys were so incredibly creative, talented and smart in their own way. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@chrisn.e.q.patriot5957]

ONCE AGAIN. YOU HAVE PRESERVED THE HISTORY AND THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE DEVELOPED THE EVOLUTION OF SPEED AND DURABILITY THAT MAKES OUR EVERY DAY ENGINES SO GOOD TODAY. LOVE YOU BROTHER . 😎❤️👍🏽

[@Stapleton42]

Thank you!

[@boharris8179]

Keith and Randy are definitely 2 of the most unsung heros of NASCAR

[@jaylestingi]

It is funny--if you know Brodix and the way they write their logo, you can see the EXACT same lettering cast into the Pontiac 23 deg (Chevy) head! So it is easy to tell that they were cast by Brodix! I love this. I was always curious of the jump from the 23 deg Bowtie to the 18 degree heads and then the HUGE jump to SB2. SB2 was only a one year motor I thought? They quickly changed the valve angles and came out with the SB2.2 which are the ones popular with drag racers today, usually in 430-440 inch combinations--because the MSCA is so large and the flow is 420+ at 0.800" lift!

[@redclover51]

Great interview with Mr. Dorton. The sincerity is palpable. Brought back thoughts of my favorite 55' Chevy short track racing technology in the late 60's.

[@KillerGrubwithMarkBagley]

What a amazing man with a wealth of knowledge, I cut my teeth building SBC motors, built my first set of chevy small block heads at 11 years old with my older brother learned how to port and cc heads soon after that all in our two car garage in Orange County California. I would have bet any money Mr Dorton was younger than me, I'm 64 and when you showed he was 79 I about fell out of my chair. He's a good honorable man with integrity and they're hard to come by these days and his brother Jimmy thats a whole story in itself, such a success. God Bless, Thank you once again

[@greenmirror5555]

Love your digging up the history of Ford, Chevy, and maybe next Toyota's evolutions of the great small block V-8s! ...the spark of sb2 and R5P7 has turned into a hidden mystery!

[@greenmirror5555]

Definitely add Tom Vigue to your list of people to interview hunt. Should still be North Carolina too.

[@mrmbr]

Keith is amazing. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Unreal. He would make an unbelievable engine. Blown away

[@Travisesty]

Awesome video guys!! Tons of cool info…

[@jebediahgentry7029]

I can remember when they introduced the SB2 in 98. Makes me feel old

[@mikebougher3731]

You picked the right guy to interview for this video. I've learned alot of things over the years listening to Keith. Whether it was in a KZbin video or a magazine article. As a fan of Mopars I'm really looking forward to that video when it comes out. Do you have any idea who you might interview? Keep up the good work.

[@Headsup9550]

Great video! As far as why the SBC was used for so many years, it's a matter of the amount of r&d invested in it and at the point where the SB2 stuff was around, this was a custom race part so it's not like availability was an issue due to no longer being a production engine and we're a LONG way away from scrounging junkyards in Cup during SB2 years. The camshaft diameter is not a strength issue. A larger diameter allows a more aggressive profile with a slower ramp which allows big numbers without the lifter jumping off the camshaft. This allows valvetrain longevity to improve because there was no longer a need to run astronomical spring rates to maintain stability or again, keeping the lifter on the cam. One more note on the SBC.. Just because SB2 stuff can be made to work on a production gen 1 block (or any block with a std lifter configuration), it was never a particularly reliable setup. Reliability went way up when a block was available with a staggered lifter setup.. Dorton is a gem! He is so right about the advances we're still finding!!

[@DriftJesus]

in NASCAR I believe they gauge how fast they can go by the engine temps. Thats maybe why Keith also points out the cooling port development. They set a certain sweet spot for the ECT and simply keep blocking the radiator intake until it starts to exceed that ECT. The more intake area they can block, the faster the car will go. So by improving cooling, they probably got to run less drag in radiator.

[@gordonlitz4824]

You've definitely brought information to an everyday average fan would have never known. Thanks, another great job.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man!

[@Jasontyo]

the gen3 and earlier era seems so cool, the cars were based on something real.

[@bdugle1]

Great interview! I’m 78, still working on projects-my ‘LS swap 71 C10 is not running yet, but getting closer. Thanks for the wonderful content!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man! Never slow down and age is just a number 💪🏻

[@chrisd078]

My neighbor has a couple SB2 engines. They run them in NHRA and are 5 time national champs with that engine program. They were offered 300k for their car and turned it down. He said their car has won him over a million in purse. I saw one spare SB2 sitting in his garage. They actually bought 4 SB2s from RCR for a total of 15K used. I believe they only have 2 still. I highly doubt anyone who owns any SB2s would part ways with a program like that. But I agree I want one too, best engine era by far! It's a 10k rev machine, sounds so awesome!

[@Mike-xt2ot]

I recall when these major changes were implemented and after Busch and Arca had incorporated the changes the old used or excess inventory sbc stuff was affordable for the home builder. Great moments in engineering.

[@goldsgarage8236]

Congratulations on a great video. As an engine builder at 75 I can only look up to Keith Dorton and try to learn from him. Good job! AG