Big-Block Chevy Crate Engines - Have It Your Way - 582 Cubes At A Time!

Once the block is prepped, it is fully cleaned, then painted to a color of your choice (black being the default color).

Here, the Calico-coated main bearings are installed and the mains torqued to 105 lb-ft. The main bearing bore is then checked via a bore scope. Beyond that, the Callies 4340 Dragonslayer 4.375-inch stroke crankshaft (which has already been balanced by SSRE) is measured to ensure consistency and to aid in achieving proper bearing clearance once installed into the block (.028-.030-inch).

Next, the Callies crank is installed and the mains once again torqued to 105 lb-ft. Beyond that, the crankshaft endplay is checked, (not shown) making sure that the proper specification of .006-.008-inch is achieved.

Once all is well, the Comp Cams custom SSRE hydraulic-roller camshaft is lubed and placed into the block, being careful not to nick any of the cam bearings. The camshaft checks in at approximately .600-inch lift and in the mid-240s for duration.

To continue with the rotating assembly, the Manley 6.535-inch H-beam rods with ARP2000 hardware are measured at the journal, to once again insure proper bearing clearance, which is .026-.028-inch.

Next, the JE/SSRE custom 10.5:1 forged-aluminum pistons are mated to the rod via the wristpin and fitted with the ring package. This particular customer will employ some nitrous, so the rings are being upgraded to Hellfire rings, which are ductile iron to handle heat and extreme cylinder pressure (having it your way). The top ring was gapped to .030-inch with the second at .032-inch to deter butting. A naturally aspirated engine would use a smaller gap, probably in the neighborhood of .022-inch.

Pictured here is the piston and rod package being installed via a ring compressor. The slugs are carefully tapped in with the end of a rubber hammer. All rod bolts are then torqued at 95 lb-ft., with rod-side clearance specified at .016-.020-inch.

...and the camshaft is degreed to Shafiroff's precise specification (which we couldn't pry out of him-we tried).

Here the SSRE/Moroso custom-stroker oil pan with windage tray is prepped for installation. The 582 is also equipped with a Moroso high-volume oil pump containing a custom-welded and braced pickup.

Next the timing cover and the 8-inch degreed balancer is installed via a hydraulic installation tool.

Moving to the top half, the Dart Pro 1 355 CNC-ported cylinder heads are to be installed. The Dart units boast a 2.3-inch intake valve with a 1.88-inch exhaust and Isky Enduro hydraulic-roller springs containing 160 pounds of pressure at the seat.