Small-Block Chevy Test Engine - Danger Mouse Part Two

A new HEI distributor from Proform gives DM a hot spark. Champion No.14 plugs were used to light the fire.

Westech supplied the 1 5/8-inch Hooker headers and 3-inch Flowmaster mufflers.

To keep things consistent we used 76 Racing motor oil and fuel for all tests.

The first bolt-on was a Weiand Action Plus intake manifold (PN 8004). It worked very well, adding 17 hp over the stock cast-iron manifold. Not bad for less than $100.

The Carb Shop Q-Jet worked flawlessly until we bolted on the Weiand intake and the engine started breathing better. We had to lean the carb out just a bit with larger metering rods because it pulled more fuel and ran richer with the new intake.

We bolted on set of Comp Cams 1.5:1 roller-tip rocker arms and got 17 more ponies. DM was now making 34 more horsepower with just an intake, jetting, and roller-tip rockers. That's an 11 percent power increase with two simple bolt-ons.

Comp Cams also supplied the beltdrive we'll use for most of the tests because cam timing adjustments and swaps are easiest with it. The trick to tightening the cam hub on a beltdrive is to use a long screwdriver to keep the cam from rotating as you tighten the bolts.

It's always important to degree the cam correctly. We installed the cam at Comp's recommended 106-degree intake lobe centerline, which is technically "straight up."

Before closing up the bottom end, we installed the Milodon high-volume oil pump and pickup tube. It's wise to lock the oil pump cover plate screws in place using some high-strength thread-locking compound after you've pressed in the pickup tube.

To seal the oil pan and make repeated removals easier SCE supplied its one-piece oil pan gasket, which is a breeze to install. It's a good idea to add a little silicone to the four corners around the front and rear main caps to prevent leaks.

Milodon supplies the kick-out-style oil pan we used with or without a windage screen. For the first test we chose the pan without a windage screen so we can later find out how much power windage takes away.

We chose Milodon's head studs over bolts because we know we'll be swapping heads often, and studs are a better way to keep the threads in the block in good shape.