Weight difference...small block vs. big

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Mar 11, 2008 | 07:46 PM

327Heaven

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Drifting

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From: Hawaii

Weight difference...small block vs. big

Hi Folks,

I've been running a 327 small block with iron heads but thinking It's time for swapping in a 496BB with aluminum heads. Can anyone tell me the approximate difference in weight for these two engines?

Thanks.

Mar 11, 2008 | 07:59 PM

TMU

Melting Slicks

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From: Boise Idaho

St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '15, '17

I think a 454 weighs about 100 pounds over a 350. What will you save on the heads, 35 pounds maybe? Maybe someone will come up with the exact tech data

Mar 11, 2008 | 08:53 PM

milo30

Drifting

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From: Arlington texas

I ran a search on another forum that I had seen this topic. According to them (don't hold me resposible for wrong info) it's between 60-73 lbs less for alum heads.

Last edited by milo30; Mar 11, 2008 at 09:06 PM.

Mar 13, 2008 | 06:41 PM

327Heaven

Thread Starter

Drifting

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From: Hawaii

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMU

I think a 454 weighs about 100 pounds over a 350. What will you save on the heads, 35 pounds maybe? Maybe someone will come up with the exact tech data

If I'm reading you correct there will be less than 100 lbs weight difference between an iron headed small block versus an aluminum head big block? I thought big block iron heads were around 70 lbs each?

Mar 13, 2008 | 07:30 PM

lr172

Racer

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From: Roselle IL

I just ordered a set of BB heads and I believe they weigh just under 30 lbs. I have been told that BB cast heads weigh 70 lbs.

Mar 13, 2008 | 09:58 PM

VIPERBARON

Racer

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From: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (home in Colorado Springs)

SB alum heads, assembled weigh in at 25 pounds each.
I can pick up a SB, unassembled block. It takes two of us to lift a BB.

Mar 13, 2008 | 11:27 PM

TheSkunkWorks

Le Mans Master

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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray

I can't find the chart just now (

), but believe an iron BB w/alum heads and intake weighs a little less than 100# more than an all iron (block, intake, heads) SB. IMHO, that's not enough difference to worry about, given the torque/power a good BB is capable of. However, BB's ain't exactly cheap to build.

BTW, BB alum heads are about 75# lighter (pair) than BB iron heads.

Mar 14, 2008 | 10:45 AM

breathial

Pro

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From: Pittsburgh PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 327Heaven

Going from an iron-head SBC to an aluminum-head BBC (and using aluminum water pump and intake manifold, plus headers) will give you the same weight as the original small-block...