Mopar Small-Block: How To Rebuild & Build Max Performance 2 Book Set

Small-block Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge V-8 engines came in a variety of vehicles since 1964. These powerful, durable engines powered everything from high-performance Cudas and Chargers to torquey Dakotas and Ram trucks.

How to Rebuild the Small-Block Mopar is the most comprehensive book on small-block Mopar engines ever released, covering 273, 318, 340, and 360-ci LA engines and 5.2 and 5.9L Magnum V-8s. Author William Burt uses photos and descriptive text to teach readers the complete rebuild process from removal to break-in.

This book describes ways to increase the performance and efficiency of your small-block Mopar, and also points out the unique steps required for LA and Magnum versions of the engine. Topics covered include removal, tear down, inspection, selecting parts, machine-shop work, and assembly. Special sidebars cover torque sequences, cc-ing heads, calculating compression ratio, and painting engine parts. 

"This is a good one for the first-time builder, though the experienced mechanic can benefit as well." -Hemmings 

Muscle Machines, reviewed by Terry McGean, January 2008

The Chrysler LA-series and Magnum small-blocks are powerful, efficient, and quick-revving engines that have dutifully powered millions of Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth cars and trucks from 1964 to 2003. And the LA engine is also a motive power unit for many classic Mopar muscle cars, including the Charger, Barracuda, Challenger, Dart, and others. While these venerable small-blocks have delivered impressive performance in stock trim, both can be easily modified to produce much greater power for almost any application. 

The LA designates the small-block as “Lightweight A,” which was a huge improvement over the previous generation. With its compact size, 50-pound weight savings, thin wall casting, and wedge heads, it cranked out a lot of torque and horsepower, so it was formidable competition on the street and track. The LA was offered in 273-, 318-, 340- and 360-ci inch iterations, and a full range of aftermarket products are offered for these engines. By 1992, the LA engine platform had evolved into the Magnum 5.2- and 5.9-liter engines and became the new standard of Mopar small-block performance. Mopar engine expert and author Larry Shepard identifies the best parts and clearly guides you through the specific techniques to extract maximum performance for LA and Magnum engines. In particular, he covers heads, cams, and valvetrain products and modifications that will achieve your horsepower targets. In addition, he provides exquisite details and in-depth build-up instruction for other essential components-blocks, cranks, pistons, rods, ignition systems, intakes, carburetors, and exhaust. 

This invaluable guidance and instruction will allow you to optimize performance and maintain reliability. 

• This is the only current Mopar LA small-block book on the market 

• Mopar LA small-blocks are in millions of vehicles ranging from passenger cars to light-duty trucks 

• Expert author Larry Shepard provides uncompromising and invaluable coverage of vital engine-building techniques