Rebuilding a hot rod is considered as American as baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie. According to hot rod enthusiasts, a serious hot rod engine has eight cylinders and sixteen valves, along with pushrods.

Hot rods have been around for over forty years. There are machine shops that are devoted to those who are hooked on high performance engines and have assembled hundreds of big blocks and small V8 blocks. It used to be that performance increasing equipment was only requested by those who road raced and/or autocrossed.

Now there are several regions of the country where hot rod imports are in high demand. The demand for rebuilds of high performance import engines is increasing dramatically. Some of the most popular import hot rod cars are Hondas. This includes Civics, Accords, Preludes, and Acuras.

When deciding to rebuild a hot rod yourself, there are a few tools you will need. The first tool is a service manual that contains the complete specifications of the engine you are rebuilding. Such information as torque values and tolerances are needed. Hand tools such as boxed end wrenches, a ratchet and socket set, a screwdriver set, and a gasket scraper will be needed to tear down the engine.

Some special tools will also be needed. A torque wrench, a Plastiquage, and a cam bearing installing tool are needed for the engine rebuild. Outside and inside micrometers are also good tools to have if you plan on doing more than one hot rod rebuild.

If you are thinking about rebuilding hot rods, make sure you do your homework. Check on the price of tools, locate a work area large enough to tear down and rebuild an engine, and research the type of engine you are rebuilding so you can gain a greater skill level.