Engine Components & Induction Parts

How to choose engine components

Start with the exact engine family, then pick parts that work together as a combination rather than one at a time. This department carries intake manifolds, carburetor kits, headers, camshaft kits, distributors, starters, alternators, serpentine drive kits, valve covers and a few ECUs, covering small- and big-block Chevy, Ford, AMC and Jeep, Buick nailhead, Flathead and LS applications. A part listed for a big-block Chevy will not fit a small block, and port shape matters within a family.

Intake manifolds

Match three things: the cylinder head port shape, the carburetor or EFI flange, and the rpm range of the rest of the engine. Big-block Chevy manifolds, for example, are made for oval-port or rectangular-port heads. A dual-plane street manifold such as the Weiand Street Warrior is designed for stock to street-performance engines up to a maximum of 5,500 rpm. Weiand's instructions also ask you to check hood clearance with your carburetor and air cleaner, and whether the manifold suits your local emissions laws.

Emissions and street use

Read the legal note on every induction or ignition listing. Some manifolds are labeled not legal for sale or use on vehicles with pollution-control equipment, which restricts them to vehicles without that equipment. In California, Vehicle Code Section 27156 says no person shall disconnect, modify or alter required pollution control devices, and California's Smog Check program refers to CARB's list of approved aftermarket parts with Executive Orders (E.O.). Some listings show an E.O. number; the MSD AMC Ready-to-Run distributor, for instance, lists one.

Camshaft kits

Flat-tappet camshafts need careful break-in. COMP Cams advises bringing the engine to 2,000 to 2,500 rpm for the first 30 minutes, removing inner valve springs on dual-spring setups during break-in, and using oil with adequate ZDDP (zinc and phosphorus), since modern oils have reduced those additives. COMP also stresses buying only high-quality lifters from reputable sources.

Headers, starters and front drives

Headers are built for a specific engine and chassis pairing, so a full-length AMC Javelin header and a tight-tuck street rod header are not interchangeable. Before ordering, check clearance around the steering box, starter, oil filter and motor mounts, and plan the starter at the same time: Powermaster lists its XS Torque gear-reduction starters as clearing most headers and oil pans, with a mounting block that rotates 360 degrees. Complete serpentine drive kits replace mixed brackets and pulleys with one matched system; confirm water pump rotation and whether power steering and air conditioning are included.

Ignition and charging

A ready-to-run distributor has its own ignition module, so no separate ignition box is needed and installation takes three wires. For charging, a one-wire alternator replaces the factory harness with a single charge wire, but Tuff Stuff stresses that the wire size is critical: an undersized wire can overheat and cause a fire. Size the charge wire to the alternator's output, and note that a one-wire unit usually cannot drive a dash warning light.

Components are inspected and documented before shipping. For complete engines see crate engines; for chassis and interior parts see auto parts.