try i never read it i grew up around motors and learned that way but a few buddies said it was pretty decent book and learned from it
http://www.amazon.com/How-Rebuild-Yo.../dp/1557880298

 

There is also a bok by John Lingenfelter on modifying small blocks. In the book he goes over identifying small blocks and componenets, what he prefers. He even give a mesurment for a location to drill an extra coolant hole because the 400 has siamese cylinders

 

i read that one good for performance tips type book doesn't totally describe the process of just a plain old rebuild of a motor though

 

i know people will probably disagree wiht me but you haynes has a book on just the basics of rebuilding a small block i have one and it is pretty good just to use as refrence. i wouldn't use one for a car though

 

well, i just picked it up...total 7hrs to drive there and back...but for the price I think I got a pretty good deal. I'll keep everyone posted as to how the rebuild is going. I'm sure I'll have a few questions here and there...