Originally Posted by
73XAFalcon
No, it's a logical question to ask because not only do the mains interchange but you can also run a 351W stroker crank in a 400. I run a 351W 4" crank in my motor and the 434ci stroker kits Tim Meyer sells are built around a 4.25" stroker crank for a 351W. How many "big blocks" share basic crank dimensions with a "small block"? There are plenty of holes you can poke in the chebbie clown arguments.
As for the FE/351C mains, some guys use the FE thrust bearing in their 351C builds when they need a slightly thicker thrust bearing.
My point was you cannot classify it based solely on main bearing dimensions. And as crsmiffy pointed out, the same distributors were used for both small and big blocks in the 335/385 series engines.