big and small.

[SS69]

hey can anyone tell me the difference between a small block and a big block. is there really much of one? and is the pontiac 400 big or small? as much as i know about cars and i dont know this.

 

[Klostrophobic]

A big block is the larger of a manufacturers two series of an engine. The small block is the smaller of a manufacturers two series of the same engine.

A 400 Pontiac would be a big block.

 

[miata13B]

Originally posted by Klostrophobic
A big block is the larger of a manufacturers two series of an engine. The small block is the smaller of a manufacturers two series of the same engine.

A 400 Pontiac would be a big block.

A 400 is a big block, but. . . There are big and small block of the same type like a chevy 350 big block and 350 small block.

 

[Klostrophobic]

How does that work out?

 

[miata13B]

I forget the way it goes, but basically the Big Block has a longer crank and more horsepower output and of course is bigger in size. . . At least that is what I remember but my mind is so hazy I could be worng. . . I believe the small block is torquer

 

[retsmah]

As far as I know, the big/small block refers only to the size of the engine block, and not the actual displacement of the engine. So you can have a big block engine with a smaller displacement than a small block.

 

[Fenrir51]

I thought 352cidand below was small block and anything bigger was well big block.

 

[toyomatt84]

Big block: longer stroke, and typically larger crankshaft
Small block: shorter stroke, and typically smaller crankshaft.

With a longer stroke, the engine can make larger compression rates, due to the bigger amount of air and fuel it can compress.

 

[Jay]

Originally posted by retsmah
As far as I know, the big/small block refers only to the size of the engine block, and not the actual displacement of the engine. So you can have a big block engine with a smaller displacement than a small block.

what he said.

dont worry about the displacement, the difference is the actual size of the engine (physical size)

 

[slimer90210]

Originally posted by retsmah
As far as I know, the big/small block refers only to the size of the engine block, and not the actual displacement of the engine. So you can have a big block engine with a smaller displacement than a small block.

so ture... the biggest displacement small block I have seen is the world products 454 (small chevy based) and Mopar's 383 was a big block.

the differece between small and big blocks is the size of the block. For the most part Big blocks have bigger displacements because they are bigger and can hold bigger pistions and longer strokes. But there are exceptions to every rule....

 

[SS69]

Originally posted by slimer90210
so ture... the biggest displacement small block I have seen is the world products 454 (small chevy based) and Mopar's 383 was a big block.

the differece between small and big blocks is the size of the block. For the most part Big blocks have bigger displacements because they are bigger and can hold bigger pistions and longer strokes. But there are exceptions to every rule....

did i read it wrong or did u just say the 454 is a small block?

 

[DSchwenn]

Originally posted by SS69
did i read it wrong or did u just say the 454 is a small block?

The Chevy 454 is a big block. Recently, World Products came out with a 454 small block.

 

[toyomatt84]

Did anyone read what I said, or did no one understand it?

 

[Jay]

yeah read it and understand it, whats your point

 

[toyomatt84]

Just seeing if anyone couldn't understand me, so I could explain is all. no worries.

 

[Jay]

oh, no probs

 

[slimer90210]

Originally posted by DSchwenn
The Chevy 454 is a big block. Recently, World Products came out with a 454 small block.

at least someone listened to what I said...