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In this month’s Power Principles installment, we conclude our series on engine building basics. In the Feb. ‘12 issue of MM&F, we stressed the importance of developing a clear, underlying goal as far as your engine needs are concerned. The second issue dealt with block basics and starting with the correct foundation for whatever engine project you have planned. In this issue, we will talk about what is probably the most important aspects of an engine build: the top end. The “top end” usually refers to everything above the short block, i.e. the heads, cam, and intake–basically everything that’s needed to make horsepower. Our goal here is to offer some information to help you make better, more informed choices when it comes to picking the top end components. Let’s get down to business.

Photo Gallery: Engine Building Part 3 – Power Principles, Heads, Cam, and Intake – Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine

Stroker engines and kits are super popular these days. The simple fact is that when you start adding up the cost of a good crank, rods, and pistons, along with the machine work to fit it into your existing or new block, it’s just a few bucks more to go with a stroker and reap the benefits of extra displacement without having to deal with an engine swap to a big-block and all the headaches that brings (cooling, exhaust, and so on). The Ford small-block engine has been benefitting from stroker engine technology for decades now. The 347ci stroker has been a popular upgrade and has been built in huge numbers over the years, mainly because it was the first stroker design introduced to the performance-buying public. Over the years, various derivatives of the 347, including the 342, 331, and 327, have been designed, built, improved upon, and made into proven combos that work.

Photo Gallery: 331ci Ford Small Block Engine Build – Power Stroke – Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine

Photo Gallery: 331ci Ford Small Block Engine Build – Power Stroke – Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine

Fuel systems are fairly basic. Whether it is carbureted or fuel injected, the delivery system is comprised of a fuel pump (mechanical or electrical), filtering media of some sort, delivery lines, and a fuel pressure regulator to keep the system’s pressure in check. Today’s fuel injection fuel delivery systems can get a bit more complicated as the OEs try to find the best fuel economy, driveability, and performance while also keeping costs in line. One way this is accomplished is with a “returnless” fuel system. The typical returnless system uses a fuel rail pressure sensor, along with other typical engine sensors, to work with the ECM and a fuel pump controlled by a fuel pump driver module. What all this techno-speak means is that a computer varies the voltage to the fuel pump to control the fuel pressure and volume. As the computer sees an increased throttle input, the fuel pump voltage is increased to deliver the increased fuel needed to the engine.

Photo Gallery: Electric Fuel Pump System Install – Fueled Up – Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine

Photo Gallery: Electric Fuel Pump System Install – Fueled Up – Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine