Newsletter Archive

The Flathead Came Back to Finish the Job

A blown head gasket, four months of second-guessing, and one very determined Ford 59A-B.

Introducing The Flathead Files

Search Flathead know-how from Ed Smith and Steve Coppock, and jump to the exact moment.

What Happens If You Cut a Chevy Six Manifold Too Far?

Ed Smith picks up a Chevrolet 230 exhaust manifold and shows why the cut needs to stop short.

What Makes a 700R4 Work in a Hot Rod?

A broken steel coupling, one-wire lockup and the small decisions behind Ed Smith's hot-rod setup

The Cadillac 500 That Didn't Add Up

351 Cleveland valve covers, Ross pistons, unusual adapters—and a hot-rod mystery hidden inside an old engine core

Your Camshaft May Be Too Big

Ask Ed 64 Is Coming — Cam duration, NASCAR camshaft flex, flathead cooling, crankshaft oiling—and one very unusual distributor

More Isn’t Always Better

Ask Ed 63 Is Coming — Oil coolers, camshafts, pistons, carburetors—and several stories only Ed could tell.

Starting an Engine After 40 Years

Sometimes patience is the best tool in the shop.

Why Do Some Supercharged Engines Surge at Idle?

Moving Air

Ed Smith talks about Racing at Speed