Backdating A Small-Block Chevy - Everything New Is Old Again

A dab of sealer is also used at the rear main cap where the rubber seal and gaskets join.

Included in the Isky cam kit were new hydraulic lifters and push rods. Again, plenty of pre-lube was applied.

To help the valve system break in, the ends of the steps were coated with cam lube. Note the screw-in rocker studs.

Rocker arms are Isky long-slots. More lube was applied to the pivot balls as they were put in place.

Adjusting the valves is done by turning the engine over until the exhaust valve just starts to open; the intake valve is then adjusted. Loosen the nut, then while spinning the pushrod with two fingers, tighten the nut until the pushrod stops spinning easily then tighten the nut another three-quarter of a turn. Turn the engine until the intake valve opens then almost closes and adjust the exhaust. Repeat for the rest of the cylinders.

Along with the Felpro gaskets a bead of silicone is used to seal the ends of the intake manifold.

A Summit aluminum water pump was installed-a coat of orange paint could be added to go with the vintage theme.

For the vintage look an Edelbrock intake manifold (PN 2101) with an oil fill tube was installed.

The vibration damper is held in place by a crank pulley bolt and washer from Specialty Fasteners, the old-school timing tab is from Transdapt.

To help the engine get its first, critical drink of lube the filter was topped off with AMSOIL synthetic before installation.

With the pan full, a drill motor was used to spin the oil pump and pressurize the block.

For a hot, contemporary ignition system without a big, bulky GM HEI a PerTronix billet Flamethrower distributor got the nod. The small diameter cap looks makes it look like an early points distributor.

The perfect way to cover up a small-block Chevy, vintage-style Corvette finned rocker covers.

The carburetor is the venerable Holley 1850, 600-cfm vacuum secondary carburetor with a manual choke. Topping it off is a slick looking OTB aluminum air cleaner.

Another old-school touch, a new OEM-style fuel pump from Danchuck.

A vintage engine calls for old time pulleys, however, these are new and are available from Transdapt.

Transdapt has a variety of modernized vintage-looking components, like this orange Chevy thermostat housing with an O-ring seal.

This engine is destined for a T-bucket, the Lime Fire headers from Sanderson add hot rod appeal.

Jim "Jake" Jacobs has introduced a line of parts, Jitney: Hop-Up Parts by Jake, includes a variety of alternator (PowerGen) and generator brackets. The Chevy brackets shown here are designed for use with the "short" water pump and bolts on with intake manifold and water pump bolts. It does not require threaded holes in the heads; it works with all early style heads as well as the later threaded style heads.

Jim "Jake" Jacobs has introduced a line of parts, Jitney: Hop-Up Parts by Jake, includes a variety of alternator (PowerGen) and generator brackets. The Chevy brackets shown here are designed for use with the "short" water pump and bolts on with intake manifold and water pump bolts. It does not require threaded holes in the heads; it works with all early style heads as well as the later threaded style heads.