Becoming aware of the lack of Ford Small Block V8 engine information available to the general public, Des Hammill, who has been building racing engines since 1984 (including Small Block V8 Fords), began researching the subject in 1998. During his investigations, he tracked down and spoke regularly with engineers and engine designers employed at Ford between 1950 and 2005, who furnished him with accurate design and development details of these iconic engines.