The HOT ROD Archives

Tried and true, a budget small-block Chevy build made the cover of this issue.

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20 Years Ago

January 2001: 180 pages, $3.99

Tried and true, a budget small-block Chevy build made the cover of this issue. Inside, Tech Editor Terry McGean walked through the process of building the 383 small-block from the bones of a 350 pulled from a one-ton dually in the junkyard. Adding a mail-order stroker kit, he and the folks at JMS Racing Engines ran a couple different Crane hydraulic flat tappet cams through it and three sets of cylinder heads across the top. They started with a disappointing 354 hp with stock “Camel Hump” heads from the ’60s and ended up making a much more respectable 421 hp and 338 lb-ft of torque with Trick Flow heads and a Performer RPM intake. Total price of the long-block: $1,985. Further back in the book, JeffKoch took an in-depth look at performance builds of Oldsmobile’s Quad 4 engine, Steve Magnante sang the praises of the Dana 60 rear axle, and Kevin Oeste documented the rebuild of the front suspension in a ’62 Galaxie.