This project involved a complete teardown, cleaning, and rebuild of the engine. I was required to calculate the bore, stroke, and displacement, redo all of the surfaces and gaskets, re-bore the cylinders, change the piston rings, change of belts, correct reassembly, and then fluids. There were lost bolts and torn gaskets along the way, but in the end I learned a lot more about engines, to the point where it is all second nature to me.

The Fun Specs of the Engine

Max Horsepower: 125-154 hp
Displacement: 336.7 cu in
Bore and Stroke: 3.50 x 4.375 in

(Exerpt from essay written in December 2003, 12th Grade)

I am sitting here, in my grease and oil-drenched jeans.  I have just spent the last hour in my advanced High Performance Engines class immersed in my passion, a 1951 337 cu Ford V8 engine.  As my term project, I have chosen to completely refurbish an old, donated, rusted pile of scrap.  It seems like grease under my nails and sludge on my shirt is my daily state.  My debate papers are stamped with their own unique stain and fragrance.  They have the stamp of me.

I have loved engines for as long as I can remember.  This is my third classroom experience centered on large engines.  Last year, I took the Power Technology class and worked in a group tearing down two and four cycle lawn mower and chainsaw engines.  Then, during my summer experience in engineering at the University of Denver program, I enjoyed a cooperative group study of engines.  From engine-work, to reading “Road and Track,” or sketching out the designs for my latest concept car, my passion brings me equilibrium to my long and busy days.