Reading Recommendation

[packman]

Does anybody have a recommendation on a good book about building later model pushrod 5.0/5.8L Ford small blocks. I have one book by Pat Gahnal about building older 302s, 351W and 351C engines, FE engines, and big block Fords. Good book, but not current. I also have a book called 5.0L Dyno Tests which is all about bolt-ons for the top end and not an entire rebuild. I have a service manual too, but I haven't read the rebuild section yet. Thanks in advance for any help.
Packman

[FastGallopingPonies]

I have a book based around the windsor motor, It's mainly about late model Mustangs like 86-93 but it's all about 302/351W's it's a great book, I'll find it and get you the name and author.

[interceptor1985]

do you have a barns and noble book store around your parts? They got lots of books on fords,,,,+ just some good reading

[Nathan in MI]

If you've got a book that covers current top end stuff and another book that covers the bottom end, you're set, even if the book on the bottom end is older. The block itself hasn't changed a whole lot thru the years.

[packman]

Thanks for the help. I didn't know if there were any major changes between the 5.0L and the 302s of yesteryear. I had to look up and order the 5.0L Dyno Test from Barnes and Noble because both of the stores in my area have small automotive sections. Luckily I went to a flea market last Fall and found the service manuals. They seem to be very helpful as well. Thanks again.
Packman

[88Vic]

I'd like a book about carbed 302's. I want an 82 or back Vic that I don't have to swap to carb, so I may need to get one that needs an engine rebuild. Any good books I should look for?

[packman]

The one useful book that I have on older Ford engines is called Ford Performance by Pat Ganahl. I think he used to write for Hot Rod or Car Craft or something. This is an S-A Design book which can be found at cartech.com This book covers rebuilds of all the older Ford engines except flatheads, modern pushrod 5.0L, and the 4.6/5.4 mod motors. Another good source for books is Motorbooks.com; they have a lot of good books. I hope this helps a little.
Packman

[88Vic]

Are these books you listed goin to have a walkthrough on rebuilding a carbed 302? I've rebuilt an engine before, but I want to have a book to make sure I do it correctly, I can't afford to mess anything up.

[packman]

The Ford Performance book has a good parts selection guide for each engine family. At the beginning of each section it gives you production specifications; in the middle all of the parts to a Ford engine (small block, FE, big block, etc...) and what to do with them; and at the end an illustration of an engine build up to that particular engine family. What they don't give you is things like torque patterns for cylinder heads and main caps (at least from what I can remember, I haven't read this book in a while). This information can be found in something like Chiltons or Haynes. I have a few other books on building engines that I use to cross reference my Ford book, however, I don't have any real experience yet (a complete rebuild, I watched my Dad re-ring my 305 back in the day that is it). If I were to rebuild an engine I would get the main procedures from the Reher-Morrison racing engine book that I bought a couple of years ago from Jegs (oh yeah, Jegs and Summit has a small book section), then I would use the Ford Performance book as a guide on what parts to use and the necessary approach to building that particular engine, and then I would get my specifications from the Service Manuals I got. I hope this helps to steer you in the right direction. Perhaps OVERKILL can give you better advice as per my lack of experience.
Packman