Everything I learned about building a 351 Windsor, I learned from this thread!

[Sailor]

OK. I know very little. Please fill in the gaps in my knowledge.
I know that's a vague statement but I was hoping anybody who has a little lesson learned or a question could put it here. Eventually we'll have a nice bit of knowledge all in one place. Unless there was a subsection on engines. Maybe one on engines with each type of engine represented in it's own sub subsection?
Just a thought.
Daniel

[Jeff Kleiner]

I do not have it but have heard that How to Rebuild Small Block Ford Engines (http://www.amazon.com/How-Rebuild-Small-Block-Ford-Engines/dp/0912656891) by Tom Monroe is a good source of info for first time engine builders.

Jeff

[Jeff Collins]

Tom's book is great and he has new one out just last year. Tom is an active member of our local club as well as the 200 MPH club at Bonneville. Great resource!

[Sailor]

I have a few books so far. Not Tom's. Yet. Will look into it thanks.

[Jacob McCrea]

I would suggest Engine Blueprinting by Rick Voegelin. It is not specifically directed to Ford engines, but a lot of the information seems to be universal. I've also read the book by Tom Monroe and it is very good. The third one I'd suggest is Ford Engine Buildups by Evan Smith. It contains a lot of info on high performance components for Windsor engines, which is not covered at length in the other two books. Between these three, you should be in pretty good shape.

[Bob Cowan]

There's a number of good books on the market, as specified above. So, to try and repeat all that in a thread really won't work well. But here's my best tips for any engine build:

1. Take your time. Don't rush it.
-- this is a big job, and IMO, a fun job. Don't set a deadline.
2. Be meticulous in every step.
-- every little thing has to be just right
3. understand what each part does, and how it relates to other parts.
-- if you don't know what they do, how do you know you did it right?
4. spend the money and get the tools you need. You can't do a good job with crappy tools.
-- torque wrench, dial indicater, valve spring micrometer, etc.
-- most of these tools are fairly inexpensive. And you can never have too many toys. Uh, I meant tools.
5. Building an engine is like building a car or eating an elephant - one bite at a time.

[Steven K]

Another good book is "How to rebuild the small block Ford" by George Reid.

[gilbo]

Another good book is "How to rebuild the small block Ford" by George Reid.

i just happen to pick up a copy of this book

[wildswing]

"How To Rebuild Small-Block Ford Engines" by Tom Monroe
"How To Rebuild The Small-Block Ford" by George Reid.
Monroe seems to have more detailed explanations but Reid has a lot more pictures.

"How To Build Big-Inch Ford Small Blocks" by George Reid.
"Ford Windsor Small Block Performance" by Isaac Martin.

There's a great DVD on Ebay, "Building The HP Racing Ford 351-W SB Engine", by seller nitrousfueler. He builds a 410W. It's a great companion to the books. DO NOT buy the one sold by seller ezsautomotive. It's really cheesy and not nearly as detailed as this one from seller nitrousfueler (Ideal Productions)

Also:
http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/7767-rebuilding-302-first-time-read.html
http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/3258-engine-assembly-books-resources.html