Building an engine is a sort of rite of passage for motorheads, one that holds the power to provide a tremendous sense of accomplishment, though it can also bring the pain and frustration of failure.

Early in 2017, HOT ROD successfully rescued my 1956 Ford pickup (May 2017 issue and online at HOTROD.com—Editor). Equipped with a supercharged, electronic-fuel-injected, 5.0L small-block that's backed ...