How To Rebuild Small Block Ford Engines

Learn how to rebuild a small block Ford engine for a classic experience. The engine called a small-block 289 was possibly the most widely used Ford engine of the 1960s. The engine at the time was available with 200-horsepower or a better performing version with 300 horsepower. The 289 is known for its high-revving ability and durability. But even the 289 does not have the capacity to last forever. It can be rebuilt using the following steps:

Things you will need to rebuild a small block Ford engine:

• Torque wrench
• Engine assembly lube
• Engine gasket kit
• Piston ring compressor

1. Use assembly lube liberally to coat the camshaft lobes and attach the camshaft by slowly sliding it towards the middle of the Ford small engine block. Make a note that one side of the camshaft has a gear. The other side of the camshaft can be slid into the engine. Make sure that the thrust plate is placed at the end of the camshaft.
2. Put the crankshaft bearings and attach the crankshaft. On end of each crankshaft, a bearing slides into the lowest point of the Ford small block engine. The other face of every bearing slides into the four bearing caps. Coat every surface generously using the assembly lube. After resting the crankshaft over the main bearings, position every bearing cap on the crankshaft. Torque the bearing caps to 60-70 ft. lbs. using the torque wrench.
3. Attach the timing chain on the camshaft and the crankshaft. Make a note of a circular indentation on every timing chain gear. The indentations should be directed towards each other. As soon as the camshaft and crankshaft are aligned, tighten the fuel pump for it to match with the gear of the upper timing chain using a flat washer and a bolt. Attach and secure the Ford small block engine using the cover's bolts.
4. Attach the connecting rods and the pistons in their respective places through every bore from the top of the small Ford engine block. Use a compressor ring on the pistons so that the pistons slide back into their place. Use the assembly lube to coat the bearings of the connecting rod. Attach the connecting rod caps on its studs and secure every cap using a torque wrench.
5. Attach the oil pan and oil pump. Place a new pump gasket on the pump. Tighten it with a torque wrench. Attach the oil pan at the bottom of the Ford engine small block.
6. Attach the heads to the engine along the new gaskets. Tighten every head to the Ford engine by securing bolt using a torque wrench. Attach new valve lifters inside the bores. Insert the pushrods through the heads, rocker arm and secure the assembly using the rocker arm nuts.
7. Position new gaskets coated with a gasket sealer on every intake manifold surface. Secure each of them with a torque wrench and attach the distributor from the upper portion of the Small block engine.
8. Position the new carburetor gasket in its place over the intake manifold. Tighten the four carburetor nuts using the torque wrench to finally complete the rebuild. Do not make use of a gasket sealer over the carburetor gasket.