Classic-vehicle build articles

Squarebody Transmission Fluid Capacities — TH350, TH400, 700R4 (1973-1987)

ATF capacities and fluid specs for the GM transmissions used in 1973-1987 Squarebody Chevrolet/GMC trucks: TH350, TH400, 700R4, plus the SM465 manual.

Squarebody Lug Nut Torque by Weight Class (C10, C20, C30)

Factory lug nut torque for 1973-1987 Chevrolet/GMC C/K trucks varies by weight class. C10 vs C20 vs C30 vs K-series 4WD all have different specs.

Squarebody (1973-1987) Coolant Capacity by Engine

Cooling system fluid capacities for the 1973-1987 Chevrolet/GMC C/K Squarebody, by engine family. SBC 350, BBC 454, and the 250/292 inline-sixes.

Pontiac Engine Identification: 350 vs 400 vs 455 (1968-1972 GTO)

How to tell a Pontiac 350 from a 400 from a 455 in a second-gen GTO. Why these all use Pontiac-specific torque specs that differ from Chevy SBC despite the same firing order.

Nova I6 250 vs SBC 350 Head Bolt Torque (1968-1974)

Why the inline-six 250 in third-gen Novas needs different head bolt torque than the 350 V8. Factory specs for both engines and how to identify which is in your bay.

Mopar Rear Axle Identification: 8-3/4 vs Dana 60 vs 7.25

How to identify the three rear axles found in 1968-1974 Mopar B-body and E-body cars (Charger, Challenger). The 8-3/4 is the workhorse, the Dana 60 is the heavy duty, the 7.25 is the budget.

First-Gen Mustang Common Rust Spots (1965-1973)

Where every first-gen Mustang rusts: shock towers, torque boxes, floor pans, frame rails, cowl, and rocker panels. What to inspect before you buy and what each repair actually costs.

First-Gen Bronco Front Axle Fluid (Dana 30 / Dana 44)

Front axle gear oil capacity and spec for 1966-1977 Ford Bronco — Dana 30 (1966-1971) and Dana 44 (1971-1977). Plus how to identify which axle is in your truck.

First-Gen Bronco 4WD Transfer Case Fluid (NP205) — Use Dexron, Not Gear Oil

The 1966-1977 Ford Bronco NP205 transfer case takes Dexron III ATF, not gear oil. Capacity, fill procedure, and why the gear-oil mistake ruins transfer cases.

Corvette C3 Big-Block (BBC 427/454) Head Bolt Torque

Factory head bolt torque for big-block C3 Corvettes — 1968-1974 with the 427 BBC and 1970-1974 with the 454 BBC. Why these specs differ from the SBC 350 cars.

1967-1972 C10 Action Line Spark Plug Gap & Ignition Timing

Factory tune-up specs for the 1967-1972 Chevrolet/GMC C10 Action Line. Spark plug gap, initial timing, idle RPM by engine — 250 I6, 292 I6, 350 SBC, 396 BBC.

289 / 302 Fluid Capacities in 1965-1973 Ford Mustangs

Engine oil, coolant, automatic and manual transmission, rear differential, and fuel tank capacities for first-generation Ford Mustangs with the 289 and 302 small-block V8s.

1973-1979 Ford F-100/F-150 351W Head Bolt Torque (Plus 360/390 FE Notes)

Factory head bolt torque values for the 351W small-block in 1973-1979 Ford F-100 and F-150 trucks. Plus why the 360/390 FE big-blocks have different specs that catch builders coming from the SBF world.

1970-1981 Trans Am Honeycomb Wheel Restoration

How to identify, source, and restore the iconic Honeycomb 'Trans Am' wheels found on second-gen Pontiac Firebirds. Reproduction options and factory-correct considerations.

1970-1981 Trans Am: 400 Pontiac vs SD-455 Engine Specs (And What Was Actually In Your Bay)

Engine identification and key spec differences for the 1970-1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am — the standard 400 Pontiac, the W72 400, the legendary SD-455, and the late-run Olds 350 / Pontiac 301T.

1969 Camaro 350 Small Block Head Bolt Torque Specs

Final torque values, sequence, and lubrication for stock 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 350 SBC head bolts. Plus when to deviate for aftermarket heads or ARP studs.

1969 Camaro Cooling System Capacity (350 SBC and Big-Block)

Total cooling system capacity for 1967-1969 Chevrolet Camaros. Differences between 350 SBC, 396/427 BBC, and HD/RS-package cooling configurations.

1968-1982 Corvette C3 Tire Pressure: Why the 18 PSI Door-Jamb Spec Is Wrong for Your Tires

The factory 18 psi tire pressure on a 1968-1982 Corvette C3 was for original bias-ply tires that no longer exist. Modern radials need 28-32 psi. Here's why.

1968-1972 Chevelle Spark Plug Gap & Ignition Timing (350 SBC, 396/454 BBC)

Factory spark plug gap and ignition timing settings for 1968-1972 Chevelle small-block (350) and big-block (396/454) engines. Plus modern unleaded fuel adjustments.

1968-1972 Chevelle: BBC 454 vs SBC 350 Torque Specs (Don't Mix Them Up)

Factory torque values for the BBC big-block 454 in 1970-1972 Chevelle SS cars vs the SBC 350 in base/mid-trim cars. Why the differences matter and where they trip up builders.

1968-1970 Charger Torsion-Bar Front Suspension Adjustment

How Mopar B-body torsion bar front suspension works on the 1968-1970 Charger, how to adjust ride height, and why the bars need replacement after 50+ years.

1968-1970 Charger 440 RB Head Bolt Torque (Plus 426 Hemi Notes)

Factory head bolt torque values for the 440 RB big-block in 1968-1970 Dodge Charger R/T cars. Plus why the 426 Hemi has different specs and where to find them.

1965-1973 Ford Mustang Lug Nut Torque (5x4.5 Bolt Pattern)

Factory lug nut torque for first-gen Ford Mustangs with the 5x4.5 (5x114.3mm) bolt pattern. Plus when to deviate for aftermarket wheels and after-market studs.

1965-1973 Mustang Head Bolt Torque Specs (289, 302, 351W, 351C)

Factory head bolt torque values for 1965-1973 Ford Mustang small-block engines — 289 SBF, 302 SBF, 351W, and 351C. Why the four engines have different specs even though they look similar.