BUDGET Chevy Big Block Build! - Part 1 of 3 ( Short Block Assembly ) 

You are the shop teacher that we should all have.

I’m a 76-year-old lady and I never have nor never will build an engine, but I still love to watch and listen to you!

A guy gets to a certain age when he just doesn't want to learn anymore. That same guy watches Derek throw an engine together while schooling him up at the same time and a guy actually learns to learn again. Dangit! Thanks for all that you do for a guy Derek.

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate how great his content is? A guy has enough jokes and puns to keep a comedian out of work. But also knows when to dial it back and be serious for a minute when talking about important parts. Keep up the great work Derek!

You can really tell when someone knows what they are talking about, no jump cuts no reading off notes just straight dropping all that wisdom on us. Thanks Derek!

It was cool to see "take it serious" Derek vs "I'll just pretend I didn't see that" Derek.

55 minutes = 2 years of school ! Thank you !

This is one of the best, most informative, simple videos I’ve seen in a long time.

These three videos, needs to be shown in as many classrooms as possible....✊🏻🤘🏻🍻🏆🥇

Derrick, you’re as calming to watch as Bob Ross. “I think there’s an artist hidden at the bottom of every single one of us.”

If you don’t do a full on “BRING THE THUNDER” when this beast fires up on the dyno I’ll be very disappointed. Love the videos Derek!!!

I love how you switch instantaneously from "It's junk, I don't care" to the very spirit of thoroughness and care when money has been laid down. Great stuff Derek!

I learned more about engine assembly in this video than I did in 2 years of auto shop in high school. Great content.

Humor is great, but hearing technicalities explained and understanding the seriousness of poor quality work, is so refreshing.

I had a great auto mechanic shop teacher he would explain very closely to how you do, but he didn't have your sense of humor. Love your videos and your personality and humor, so glad you popped up on my time line!!

When he said, "Hey there feller", I truly felt he was talking to me. Hey there compadre - from Texas.

A feller couldn't grab that play button fast enough! Bring the thunder!!

From one youtuber to another, First, Love the videos man. Has helped me with my own builds that I do. second, I could absolutely detect the angst when you were talking about posting links. "WhAt Do YoU MeAn YoU wOnT dO AlL My ReSeArCh?!?111???!" those comments are the best

Oh mighty LORD OF THE RINGS .. Don't think I've ever heard such a simple & informative explanation of "Piston Rings" Thankyou.

Derek,you say you're not a professional engine builder. Your vast knowledge suggests otherwise. IMO you're a real engine builder who even reminded me of quite a number of points that should be taken into consideration when rebuilding an engine. I've been working at this trade for 45 years but recently retired due to medical issues so I'm familiar with all the projects and stuff you fix. You sir are a great young man with good values and a wonderful family that provides you support in all you do. Never underestimate the support of your wife and children,this is very powerful and it goes without saying it means a lot. May God bless you and your family and stay safe from this dreadful COVID 19 pandemic and keep up the gr8 work. BTW I never fail to get a good laugh from your videos.

I just finished working 12 hours and wasn't sure I had enough energy to keep my eyes open for 55 minutes. The next thing I know the video is over and I want to watch part two. There should be a two-thumbs-up button for VGG.

I could see you being the badass teacher everyone likes.

I’m tellin ya, Derek needs his own show on The Discovery channel. I would pay for cable again just to watch. Derek explains things in a way that is just plain simple and calm. No stress, and any feller can understand!! Nicely done sir.

You’re probably the only person I’ve ever seen stay calm while doing vehicle work. I swear every time I touch a wrench I already know it’s gonna suck and I’m gonna be cussing. 😂

I love that a guy knows when to make a video more entertaining and when to make it more informative.

Rubs hands together.... A good time for a guy to sit back and enjoy some cold snacks and take in VGG

I am proud to see someone who is passionate about a dying art. I am 61 have built many engines in my life, and the satisfaction of driving my 454 for 22 years is a tribute to what can be done. I hope younger people can find a way to get interested in keeping automotive history alive. The geeks tune with a laptop, it takes all my senses to tune my carbureted big block running to my standards. Thank you for making this available for everyone!

As a guy, I've been poking around in engines since I was knee high to a grasshopper. You've hit all the important talking points and made it easy to understand, not to mention fun. Truly mind-bottling.

The bob ross of car building. I love it.

who here thought they were legit sitting in a engine building class lmao

Really appreciate the time and effort you put into this channel, I grew up with my dad helping him every chance I could in the garage unfortunately he’s passed and being a younger man that wants to expand my knowledge on engine building and tips in the garage ,I cant emphasize enough that what you do is really really special .I can’t thank you enough man we are lucky to have you . 🔧❤️

Probably one of the best videos ever Derek .... jam packed full of good info.

Trying to convince my wife we need to detour our Spring Break down to FLA for the Cleetus event

I don’t have some snazzy comment, just that I look forward to every video. In a crazy ass world right now these videos are a nice escape to relax

The "Butterscotch pudding and smell of rich mahogany" at 27:55 had me in tears! 🤣

Derek.... you are a good human!.. this is amazing work!... and the delivery of that wisdom is beyond great! Thank you for making these videos.... Lately this is by far greatest content on RU-vid.

As a 30+ year mechanic I thought this was AWESOME!! Very well done!!

Oh my GOODNESS, I'm 15 minutes in and feel like I need to be taking notes. Is this school? Will there be a test? I don't even have an engine block. Thanks for the vids. They are supremely entertaining.

Hey Derek, I just wanted to say thanks You and all the guys in the revival scene on youtube made me interested in cars that I know work on all of my own cars and might persue a fleet job in the near future. I just got done driving my first engine rebuild a few miles and I couldn't stop smiling. Thank you so much for givin a guy some confidence and ever more smiles.

Your like the automotive dad I never had, thanks for teaching us millennials how to get into some big block knowledge.

“not 10 and cold snack” I’m dying 😂

Never did a guy switch off of another video so fast! Love VGG vids!

I wish I had you as my shop teacher. I have learned more from you and my old man than I ever did in school. Keep on keeping on. You ROCK!

I've stated on another video before, but I cannot stress enough that it really is hard for a guy to find worthwhile entertainment for those times he isn't working, taking classes, doing honey dews, or working on his own projects. Derek, thanks again for putting together something actually worth my leisure time.

Finally some one who knows the correct way to assemble the lower end of an engine on youtube.

Derrick I’m not an auto mechanic I’m an HVAC mechanic. I’ve always been fascinated by automobile engines and the building of them. I don’t really want to say I’m learning a lot here but I’m finding it quite interesting. Think that if I ever get myself a 💪🏻car I’ll be the tool who just buys one from someone. But I’m always interested in and impressed by people’s knowledge. I know you have a flare for playing foolish but it is abundantly clear that you are a master at your craft. Much respect sir. 👍 🇨🇦

This man is the bob ross of motor building

Just a few quick suggestions from a professional engine builder. To set the end float on the crankshaft, place a thrust bearing on the crank while the crank is still on the bench and check the clearance with a feeler blade, if you get .010 clearance there, ideally you would like to see at least 80% of that (.008) once the crank is installed. When you lay the crank in the bearings in the block install the thrust bearing cap and gently snug it down, then take your dead blow Tonya Harding and give the crank snout a couple good whacks and then give the rear of the crank (flange end) a few good whacks. Don't hold back, hit it good! Then torque down the thrust bearing cap and check the end float with a dial indicator. Available at Harbor freight for a reasonable price. I believe .004-.008 is the generally accepted range for end float. Also when installing rods and pistons, I like to rotate the block so that the bore is horizontal to the floor, I find it easier to guide the rod into place and I can torque the rod without rotating the block on the stand. Make sure you rotate the crankshaft two rotations after each rod is installed to check for interference with the block or crank and also check side clearance on rod when installed and especially after installing its opposite rod. Don't forget to clean the piston rings before installing! I wipe them with Marvel Mystery oil, you will be amazed at the gunk that is on a new set of rings. I am enjoying the series! Lots of good information here.

Who remembers a slightly younger version of our friend throwing engines together with the cheapest parts possible, just to put them in a car to beat the brakes off of.

Great video, Derek! I'm about to install a 396 (which I rebuilt) into my '68 Camaro coupe. After watching this, I'm tempted to disassemble it and redo it the RIGHT way! LOL Seriously, thanks for this video; it's brilliant!

I wish I had a guy like you around when I rebuilt my 390 Big Block Ford. A lot of helpful tips you’re tossing out here! I was 20 something then and didn’t know anything.

The "Deadblow Tanya 200" Now That's .. "G O L D E N"

You sir are just too much Damn AMERICA. I Love it. This place could use more of your spirit. God bless you

This must not have been an easy series to film! Thank you for your patience, its very interesting to watch. Well done sir

I truly don't understand the dislikes because I've build engine for over 45 years now and I found it entertaining Thanks for sharing

This guy is extremely smart!

Absolutely love this series, keep it coming!

“You want to tighten these until your C7 pops.”

Grew up across the highway from General Motors, OSHAWA ONT. It's closed down now, and we are out to pasture now. YOUR video's make my day ! You give me constant smiles and laughs and it's saves a fellar's day. You do more then just fix things, you entertain while doing it. The BEST show on the interweb !

You're a diamond in the rough. Sneaking brilliance in building through a Will Rogers persona. Kudos!

I'm so glad that you're a mechanic and not a sexologist. ie: "OK, now that I'm getting down to my end here I'm losing my leverage. So I'm going to reach in with a couple of fingers and I'm going to guide it in."

Damn !! Derek is hitting on all 8 cylinders man... TRUCKS AND ENGINE BUILDS... Thumbs up and already subscribed. Looking for others to join 👍🏻💪🏻🥃

if there's anyone that's going to teach me to build an engine right, without a doubt it's you, VGG! You have (Your usual) very laid-back way of explaining things and done in such a way that you are able to convey all the good information, without sounding like you know everything, and just the right amount of your usual RU-vids flavored sarcasm.

A guy wishes you had this video out 39 years ago when I built my first motor by myself in the yard . Thanks for your information and details

Its 11:15 in the PM here in the UK, got an alarm thats going off at 4:30 in the AM.... Guess this is as good a time as any to watch an hour of Derick. 👌🏻

I’m 50 years old and in my youth I rebuilt a few motors and I never knew that about orienting the ring gaps! I had no idea that the rings actually moved! I learned something today.❤️👍

Been following this closely and I can tell you, you got it spot on, 40 years experience.

I really like how you thought about lubing the cam and bearings when you put that in. So many times I've seen videos of them being roughly inserted, or thought to myself by the time that cam gets to the last bearing there's going to be very little lube left on it. So full marks for common sense and attention to detail!

I have no car ,no engine ,no budget and no plans to get any . I just really like watching your videos! 👍👍

I feel like after watching you for a while I should get forward credit if I wanted to get automotive certified 😂

I love my 69 Copo Chevelle. Fully Documented #179 out of 373 built. Getting it was a truly unbelievable miracle. 69 SS was my first car ever and Dad sold it when I did some stupid Shat at 17 yrs old. So, when I came across this COPO, I was so ecstatic! I appreciate what u do

The rings diagram on a piece of cardboard and remembering that the caps were already torqued by the Red dot on the caps, what a fantastic engine build technique. Awesome explanation of bearing and shaft installation. Derek, I'm hooked on Vice Grip Garage!

If Derek was my math teacher in high school, I probably would've learnt something.

This evening is gonna' be alllllllllright! New episode of VGG and a cold snack in-hand.

love this Guy no matter how many engines built always good to watch a build, great show thanks Guy

Reminds me of when I rebuilt my big block Olds engine. Ah memories.

I love how you have your "I'm an idiot, this is just for entertainment" disclaimer even though this is extremely instructional.

"Not 10 o'clock and cold snack " that got me lmao

I'm old and learned my limitations by breaking about everything I touch. But I love watching a knowledgeable, calm guy doing something I wish I could do. Similar to watching a painter explain how to make art. I am good at some things of course, but this fascinates and boggles me. Thank you Derek.

Your analogy of filing the rings is what Jimmy DiResta reminds me when he cuts things by "sneaking up on it".

You just know how to make a fellers day. Going to sit back with a wobble pop and enjoy the show.

"Well look at the big brain on....Derek" Dang son! A guy got some knowledge.

Derek I just wanted to say thanks to watching nearly all your engine build videos and tinkering in my own garage, I was able to pass an ASE test today, thanks to breaking it down and really understanding how an engine really works. Thank you again

This took me back to tech school. Really should rebuild a motor again some day. I miss doing that stuff.

Man I love how you can tell a feller all kinds inaformaions about the mecanicological device and keep the humor in it. Most people will retain more info if the they are entertained. I find myself using your Vocabularianisms more and more. One of my favorites is help me understand and the big Tonya harding. Keep it up love these vids

As a wise man once said “I’m ready” can’t wait for the rest of the videos!

Exactly what I’ve been wanting! I remember watching your old budget builds which were great. Production quality is even more impressive now!

Well this is just the highlight of my day, finish off with some pure relaxation right before bedtime. Much appreciated content, looking forward to seeing the next video!

Sir, you’re a true inspiration to any and all, no matter what age, to really dive into any projects with enthusiasm and humor. I’m 65, and you’re the most down to earth, besides MUSTIE1, that takes the time to “dumb down” for us noobs what’s really involved in restoration and rebuilding. I’m in Montreal Canada and during this pandemic crap, you are the breath of fresh air, keep yourself and family safe and healthy.

"Trust but verify", you sir are a wise man!

I haven't had a class like that in 40+ years, thanks for the refresher course!!!

I appreciate this video more than you will ever know. And, I appreciate the fact that you get serious when needed, but keeping it fun at the same time. Very informative video. Keep up the good work

Never touched an engine in my life and somehow I just wana keep learning with vids like these

Things you would never know from all the “car shows” that just slap engines together without going to not the real details. Really amazing series already!

Derek, I’m 11 and I learn all my car stuff from you, without your channel I would have nothing known about engines and all others. Your channel is the best!

Derek i am not a chevy guy but after watching your vid of building a engine i feel that you cover all bases and go step by step and that you take your time explaining things. i am getting ready to rebuild my 460 and before i saw your vid i was clueless. thank you verry much for being you please keep up the good work.

I absolutely love that you aren’t gonna post links to every part and total cost! A feller respects that! LOL @ Kris Kristofferson!

He is not the teacher that we want, but the teacher we need 🤟🏽

Excellent video! One of your best to date. It's nice to see your serious side with just a bit of silliness sprinkled in to keep us watching. You are really getting your channel dialed in. Keep up the hard work.

I am loving this...because I love muscle cars...from the 1960s and early 1970s. Nothing can compete with the sound of a well-tuned baby that purrrrrrrs as she sits there...waiting for the signal to, well, you know.