 We somehow managed to align...  We somehow managed to align the wrong marks on the timing set, because the circle on the crank gear looked a lot like the square. After discovering our error, we went ahead and degreed the cam just to make sure we had installed it properly. |  We also wanted to tune up...  We also wanted to tune up the cylinder heads, so we performed a minor porting effort on the intake and exhaust pockets just below the valve seats. We spent roughly one hour per head to complement the new Federal-Mogul stainless steel 2.19/1.88-inch valves. |  Many engine builders do not...  Many engine builders do not recommend lapping valves, but we made the effort to ensure that the valve job sealed completely around the entire circumference of each valve and seat. |
 We also took the time to use...  We also took the time to use a height mic to measure and customize each valve's installed height. |  Fel Pro makes an excellent...  Fel Pro makes an excellent one-piece oil-pan gasket for these Rat motors that is certainly much easier to install than the old four-piece pan gaskets. |  We buttoned the bottom end...  We buttoned the bottom end together with a Milodon cast-aluminum timing-chain cover, oil pan, pump, and windage tray. |
 After the heads were reassembled,...  After the heads were reassembled, we sealed everything up with a pair of Fel-Pro composition head gaskets to make sure the cylinder pressure stayed in the cylinders. |  We purposely installed the...  We purposely installed the valvetrain before installing the intake so that setting the valves would be easier. This way, you can see exactly when zero lash is achieved by looking at the lifter plunger. Those are Fel-Pro intake gaskets. |  It's much easier and less...  It's much easier and less messy to set the valves before you fire the engine. These are Crane 1.7:1 roller rockers. |
 |  With the engine on Duttweiler's...  With the engine on Duttweiler's dyno, this junior Rat made 384 hp and 456 lb-ft of max torque at a very streetable 3,500 rpm with the Hedman 13/4-inch headers and a full exhaust. This is excellent power for a little Rat motor with oval-port heads. The valve covers are excellent castings from a company called PML. |  |