Probably obvious question, but...what is the difference betwen a "short block" and a "long block". I assume it has to do with the components that come with each, but what are they? Thanks.

 

As a rule, short block means no cylinder heads, intake, or any other peripheral. You get the block, crank, rods, cam and (probably) lifters - that's it.

The long block usually includes everything but the "carburetor" starter, "distributor" and alternator.

*Different engines - and builders - include different items, so check to be SURE before closing the deal on YOUR engine.*

HTH.

 

There are usually three classes;

Short block;
Block, crank, rods, pistons

Long block;
Above plus heads, oil pump, cam (sometimes included in the short block), timing chain/gears and cover, valve covers, oil filter.

Turn key
All above plus intake,carb, water pump, distributor, plugs/wires.
Exhuast manifolds/headers are rarely included because of too many apps. But I have seen them included.

As ctfuzzy mentioned, each supplier will include or exclude some items so asking about it is highly recommended.

 

Thanks for the prompt reply. You guys are great.

 

Not that you all care but I thought I would share a story. One time I was calling around for a replacement motor for my brothers truck I called a shop and asked him to give me some prices on different engines with X amount of hp and for street use. He says do you want a short block or long block? I said well what are the differences with your short and long blocks? (I knew the difference but if you look around they sometimes include different parts sometimes you get a cam with a short block sometimes you don't sometimes you get an oil pan sometimes you don't, since obviously neither one of us were rich I needed to know everyting down to the last bolt) He laughed and said if you don't know the difference then you might wanna learn that first, I sat there for a while kinda in disbelief that he was such a pecker head. He realized how dumb he sounded or something and began to list prices, hope he was a busy man, because he lost $4000 worth of business that day and his prices were spot on and he would have been the one we were gonna purchase from, idiots. Another funny story while I am venting, I saw an add for 460's in an autotrader keep popping up so I figured it must be a shop so I called and asked if they were an engine shop and he said yeah I said I saw your add in the paper and saw you have 460's for sale he says yeah I asked what kinda price you get on 351w's, he says I have been doing this for 20 years and I wouldn't touch a 351w, the only way I would get a 351w is if it came directly from ford because no one can rebuild a 351w and make it right, so you might as well use your motor as a boat anchor. For some reason myself and machinists don't mix. Given I had to make the s.o.b's I took my motor too rebuild it 3 times to make it right you can see how maybe I am cautious about who does what to my stuff. Word of advice know your motor and what you want done. Later

 

can't rebuild 351's that guy must have been an idiot.

 

Not just an idiot, he had 20 years experience of being an idiot.

 

I agree.

 

Well, I don't see how he *could* rebuild 351's when all he had was 460's... Heck, the valve covers wont even fit...


ok, not that funny.
tom

 

that is crazy...lol,

 

They make a special adapter plate to allow the valve covers to be interchangeable between BBF and SBF. As far as SBF heads on the BBF there is a new extrude hone program designed for this very task with special 2 inch offset bolt and coolant passage plugs that allow the interchange of sbf and bbf heads, for another $100 you can opt for the cnc program as well. haha