disadvantage of having a big block
07-20-2018, 12:04 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
disadvantage of having a big block
I found an unexpected disadvantage of having the big block in my 68 convert. You can't tell if it is only running on 7 cylinders. I was setting the timing on my car today and thought my timing light died on me. It flashed only intermittently. As a check, I put the pickup on wire #3 instead of #1 and then the light worked perfectly. After doing some checking, it turns out the plug in #1 was bad. Not sure how long it was bad, but the car ran pretty well and I had no idea it was not firing on all cylinders.
07-20-2018, 05:22 PM
#2
Racer
Big blocks are awesome...except for the heat and the tight fit in the engine bay. Love the torque. 
07-20-2018, 07:46 PM
#4
well,that's 5 minutes of my life that I won't get back,can't think of any,sorry.
07-20-2018, 08:02 PM
#5
Race Director
07-20-2018, 08:18 PM
#6
Drifting
I wouldn't call the poor fuel economy, and extra front end weight as advantage. By the way, that's one of the advantages of driving a 1 cylinder. There's never a doubt if your plug is firing.
Imagine the poor schlub who got a great deal on a 35 year old V12 Jag and is trying to tell if he has a miss.
Imagine the poor schlub who got a great deal on a 35 year old V12 Jag and is trying to tell if he has a miss.
07-20-2018, 09:07 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jan 2017
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07-21-2018, 10:39 AM
#9
Le Mans Master
I found an unexpected disadvantage of having the big block in my 68 convert. You can't tell if it is only running on 7 cylinders. I was setting the timing on my car today and thought my timing light died on me. It flashed only intermittently. As a check, I put the pickup on wire #3 instead of #1 and then the light worked perfectly. After doing some checking, it turns out the plug in #1 was bad. Not sure how long it was bad, but the car ran pretty well and I had no idea it was not firing on all cylinders.
How would you not notice the missing 50-60hp from the dead hole? Plus the weird idle and rough rev.
I’ve only had it happen a couple times to me through the years but I can damn sure tell when I lose one.
The trick is figuring out which hole is dead and why.
07-21-2018, 10:39 AM
#10
Race Director
Loved having big blocks over the years.
Years ago, I had a 70 Chevelle with a big block and a 68 Chevelle with a small block.
Sold the small block after a couple weeks, thinking, why would I ever drive it when I had the big block in the garage.
Years ago, I had a 70 Chevelle with a big block and a 68 Chevelle with a small block.
Sold the small block after a couple weeks, thinking, why would I ever drive it when I had the big block in the garage.
07-21-2018, 04:29 PM
#11
Drifting
Oh I can think of some disadvantages! The constant yammering from the small block crowd about how a big block adds 92,000 lbs to my front end and makes the car handle like a battleship. Then there's the the ever present 'my small block puts out more than your BB' crowd. (But they never mention they have $10K invested in their small block and has been dyno engineered, and my BB was built in my garage and tuned by ear)
Other than that, the only REAL issue I have is the price of parts. SB heads are affordable......BB heads are a kings ransom.
Other than that, the only REAL issue I have is the price of parts. SB heads are affordable......BB heads are a kings ransom.
07-21-2018, 05:29 PM
#12
Drifting
I didn't think it was even legal to say the words "disadvantage" and "big block" in the same sentence. Well unless you said there is no "disadvantage" to a "big block."
07-22-2018, 12:22 PM
#17
Le Mans Master
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I am definitely a person who would be happier with a big block in my 77, and if money was not an object, I would have one. One question I have to the big block owners, and one thing that I have come to love about my 350 is the Nascar sound of high RPM........given torque is so much better on a big block, I guess you never get to hear that high RPM sound. That would be the only disadvantage I can think of, if I am correct. I get that sound in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear, on my SBC....when I would probably be already at the speed I want to go in 1st gear in a big block. With that being said, I still would prefer a big block, cause its all about torque, just like my Harley.
07-22-2018, 01:49 PM
#18
Advanced
Now, we're talking cool!
07-22-2018, 01:49 PM
#19
Burning Brakes
I am definitely a person who would be happier with a big block in my 77, and if money was not an object, I would have one. One question I have to the big block owners, and one thing that I have come to love about my 350 is the Nascar sound of high RPM........given torque is so much better on a big block, I guess you never get to hear that high RPM sound. That would be the only disadvantage I can think of, if I am correct. I get that sound in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear, on my SBC....when I would probably be already at the speed I want to go in 1st gear in a big block. With that being said, I still would prefer a big block, cause its all about torque, just like my Harley.
edit: never mind, found the vid of the 9k revs
Last edited by naramlee; 07-22-2018 at 01:51 PM.