big block/small block?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
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From: Wisconsin
No. Ford used it too. The 260 289 302 were the small blocks and the 332 to 428 were the big blocks. Small blocks competed against each other in the Trans Am series and the big blocks in NASCAR back in the 60s and 70s.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,244
Likes: 96
From: not far enough from Chicago
It seems that there are many different ways of saying if it is a BG BLOCK or a SMALL BLOCK.
I was just wondering (Barette Jackson, sp? ) because I’m watching them refer to this car having one or the other. I seriously doubt they have any idea of what they are talking about
After reading all of the different explanations here I’m still confused. All of the technical descriptions seem different in certain ways. Maybe everybody is saying the same thing
I was just wondering (Barette Jackson, sp? ) because I’m watching them refer to this car having one or the other. I seriously doubt they have any idea of what they are talking about
After reading all of the different explanations here I’m still confused. All of the technical descriptions seem different in certain ways. Maybe everybody is saying the same thing
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,818
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From: Pueblo, CO
First, a 1967 Mustang with a small block.
Now, a 1967 Mustang with a big block.
Notice how much more compact the small block is than the big block? The small block is 'smaller' than the big block. It's really that simple.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,244
Likes: 96
From: not far enough from Chicago
I just saw the answer to our engine sizes at the auction
One C5 had a 5.7 L SMALL BLOCK
The other C5 had A 347.84” BIG BLOCK
There ya go, the answer to the question
One C5 had a 5.7 L SMALL BLOCK
The other C5 had A 347.84” BIG BLOCK
There ya go, the answer to the question
Pro
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 581
Likes: 9
From: CA
So this may show how "old school" I am, and maybe not kept up with the times 
I am not as familiar with the engines today and their designations/sizes.
Back in the day, the (GM) 350ci was the biggest displacement small block you could get. The 396ci was the smallest big block, and then there was the 427ci and the 454ci displacement big block.
The reason you could get a bigger displacement on the big blocks was that the bore centres on them were wider spaced, giving the opportunity to have a bigger hole for the piston. The block was therefore somewhat bigger, not sure what the outside dimensions were but it was longer and taller than the small block.
Small block - small displacement
Big Block - Big displacement
More displacement = MORE POWER!!
I am not as familiar with the engines today and their designations/sizes.Back in the day, the (GM) 350ci was the biggest displacement small block you could get. The 396ci was the smallest big block, and then there was the 427ci and the 454ci displacement big block.
The reason you could get a bigger displacement on the big blocks was that the bore centres on them were wider spaced, giving the opportunity to have a bigger hole for the piston. The block was therefore somewhat bigger, not sure what the outside dimensions were but it was longer and taller than the small block.
Small block - small displacement
Big Block - Big displacement
More displacement = MORE POWER!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
A while ago there was a story here about a guy who had put an honest-to-God 502ci big block GM crate engine they used to produce into a C5 - involved modding the frame for clearance, IIRC. Big blocks have gobs of torque and provide "instant" response to your right foot - at any revs. I once read road test writer say that driving a 'big block" classic Stingray, was like riding a powerful bike - point it, tap the gas, and it's there, instantly.
You really want to see a tight fitting big block in a car designed for a small block, look at a 429 Boss Mustang - they had to modify the inner fenders to get it in.
You really want to see a tight fitting big block in a car designed for a small block, look at a 429 Boss Mustang - they had to modify the inner fenders to get it in.
Last edited by jackthelad; Jan 25, 2015 at 03:14 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
Well......the original chevy 348 was a big block, later morphing into the 409, but I don't think we're talking about the same engine in a c5.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: South Central PA
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
I'm still a little confused. How can you have a 427 big block and a 427 small block? What makes one a big block and the other a small block? Or do car companies just call it what they want?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Brighton MI
Looking at it today, without understanding the evolution of various engine families, it doesn't make much sense. If you grew up reading car magazines in the 60's and 70's and lusting after various hi-po small blocks and big blocks, you would have a much better understanding.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,547
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From: Huntersville, NC
Try this: the difference between a big block and a small block is the the cylinder center-to-center distance. So a LS1 is a small block because it has [approximately] the same C-C distance as say, a 327, 283, etc. I think it is 4 inches but not sure about that. A big block has a larger distance. So even though the old 348 of the '50's is only 1 cu-in bigger than a LS1 it is a big block because of this measurement. So , sure the heads won't fit. The block has to be bigger to take care of the bigger c-c.
A set of 348/409 heads would be a sight under the hood of a C5!!!!
A set of 348/409 heads would be a sight under the hood of a C5!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,072
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From: Saint clair shores Michigan
It's still GM that started the term Big & Small! Ford and Chrysler back in my old days.lol never used the term big block and small block, just cubic inches at least that's the way it was in Detroit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
In 69 my first car was a '64 Fairlane with a 289 small block in it. Back then Fords were referred to as big blocks and small blocks. I remember well. It's how they differentiated between the two engine series. I do not know who started it or when.