Feb 2nd 2026
There’s been noise around high-performance valve springs forever, and most of it comes from builds that live north of 6,500 rpm. That’s not how a lot of small block Chevys get used. A 327…
Published by Steve Koch, Northern Auto Parts
Jan 29th 2026
Molly Piston Rings - Recommended for Most Builds Moly (Molybdenum-faced) piston rings are designed for applications that will experience stress and heat from medium to hard use. The moly coating wil…
Published by Steve Koch
Jan 5th 2026
Fine-Tuning Small Block Chevy Performance with Z-28 Valve Springs Most folks zero in on cams, heads, and carbs when chasing horsepower. Valve springs barely get a mention until they’re the reaso…
Published by Steve Koch, Northern Auto Parts
Dec 23rd 2025
Do I Need a Master Kit to Rebuild My 1976-1985 Chevy 454 Big Block? The Chevy 454 from the late ‘70s to mid ‘80s is a beast. Big torque, big block, big expectations. It was built to work h…
Published by Steve Koch, Northern Auto Parts
Dec 1st 2025
If your engine feels lazy, or you're just hunting for more power, you've probably heard the magic word: "camshaft." But a cam swap isn't just a part you bolt on; it's a decision that completely change…
Published by Steve Koch, Northern Auto Parts
Oct 27th 2025
You hear a faint vibration or notice a slight wobble under the hood during a hard launch. That’s often your flexplate telling you it’s under stress. This thin disc connects the engine&rsqu…
Oct 6th 2025
A stroker kit changes how far the pistons travel in the cylinder. That adds displacement, making the engine produce more torque and horsepower. An internally balanced kit utilizes weights integrated i…
Sep 15th 2025
The Ford 289 is a small-block V8 with a 90-degree layout and overhead valves, built from 1963 to 1968. It powered Mustangs, Falcons, and other Ford models. The engine has a 4.0-inch bore, 2.87-inch st…
Sep 8th 2025
A street performance engine can feel like a wild animal if it isn’t balanced. Vibration sneaks in and wears bearings, shakes pulleys loose, and makes your drive rougher than it should be. Engine…
Aug 18th 2025
There’s a reason you keep hearing about the small block Chevy 350. It’s been around the block—literally. From 1969 to 1980, this engine powered everything from grocery-getters to str…
Jul 21st 2025
A messy engine bay doesn’t just look bad; it causes real headaches. Wires flopped over the intake or wedged behind a header might not seem like a big deal until the trouble starts. Heat from the…
Jul 14th 2025
Let’s say your Small Block Chevy runs decent but feels like it has more to give. You’re probably right. Cylinder heads (one of the most impactful upgrades that can truly transform how your…
