Frequently Asked Questions:
In response to questions I receive on a frequent basis, I have addressed various topics below.
Warranty: All of our complete crate engines are test fired, broken in, and include a 90 day, unlimited mileage warranty. Details available upon request.
Power potential: Our engine's power ratings are based on actual dyno testing. We do not guarantee horsepower ratings because we cannot guarantee how the end user will install or tune his engine. Choice of carburator, exhaust, timing, jetting, etc. will all impact the performance of the engine.
Valvesprings: Nobody can tell you what valve springs will work for your heads/cam without knowing your installed hieght. Somebody may offer "matched components" but that doesn't mean they're going to set up in your heads at the suggested hieght. I prefer to measure the hieght and spec the spring vs. trying to make the parts conform to the hieght of a particular spring. Furthermore, just because the springs aren't going to get into coil bind it doesn't mean something else won't. ALL clearances need to be checked.
Pushrods: The only way to determine proper pushrod length is to set everything up on your engine with the parts you plan to use. There are too many variables for anyone to predict what will work.
Valve/Piston clearance: There is no way to predict if a particular engine will have sufficiant valve/piston clearance without actually setting it up and measuring it. Estimates can be made on prior experience, but there is no guarantee. Pistons can be manufactured with valve pockets that will probably clear most combinations, but as with most things there are too many variables and it has to be measured/verified.
Bearing clearances: There is no particular brand of parts that will set up "right" for every combination straight out of the box. Street engines require different clearances than race engines. Measuring a starting point and making adjustments via polishing and bearing changes is part of building an engine. Some brands do have more consistant tollorances than others, but none are perfect and all of them need to be checked and set per application.
Dynamic balance: Engines are internal balance design or external balance design. Being an internal balance design does not mean the assembly has been balanced. It's best to balance a rotating assembly with the parts (dampner, flexplate, etc.) that will actually be used.
Compression: There are no hard and fast rules for static compression in relation to pump gas or any other fuel. Static compression ratio requirements are a function of how the engine will be used, fuel, octane, dynamic compression, cylinder head material, quench, cam timing, manifolds, etc.
Combos: There is no all-around "best head," or "best cam," or "best intake," etc. Each custom engine build is best custom tailored for the overall usage, needs, and application. All engines DO NOT need aluminum heads for power, DO NOT need roller cams, etc.
Overbore: There is no reason to limit yourself to the smallest overbore possible. What matters is cylinder wall thickness. You can easily have a block at +.030 with thinner cylinder walls than a block at +.080. Determine the overbore required, then sonic check to be sure the cylinder walls will be thick enough.
Journal size: BBF cranks are strong enough and thick enough to handle just about any undersize on the journals. Grinding -.040 will not effect the strength AT ALL. It's not uncommon for stock cranks to be offset ground removing .300" or more and still handle 700+HP.
Policies:
-All sales on custom and/or modified parts are final. No refunds, returns, or exchanges.
-Returned parts must be in new, unopened, unused condition and must be received within thirty days of sale.
-CarsByCarl inc. reserves the right to apply a fifteen percent restocking fee to any refund, return or exchange.
