Notices

Big block/Small block difference

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 12:59 AM
  #1  
Redneck-Cowboy's Avatar
Redneck-Cowboy
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 997
Likes: 0
From: Weston, Nebraska
Big block/Small block difference

I'm sorry this isn't really a Ford question but this question has always bothered me. How do they get the same cubic inch out of a SB 350 as a BB 350? Does the SB have a shorter stroke w/ a bigger bore and the BB vice versa? I'm not a Chevy buff, I've just always wondered if I had that idea right, and if so wouldn't people be searchin for the BB, it should have more lowend torque b/c of the longer stroke, that is if I'm correct.

Redneck-Cowboy
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 07:41 AM
  #2  
jwtaylor's Avatar
jwtaylor
Postmaster
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 0
Well chevy 350's have a 4" bore and 3.48" stroke which equals 349.84857 cubic inches they rounded up to get 350.

ford 351 has a 4" bore and 3.5" stroke which equals 351.8592 cubic inches they rounded down probaly because there was already a 352FE motor.


So when you take the heads off they are realitively the same. Your right going with a big block as far as stroke and bore is the ideal way to go. ONly drawback is weight but it can offset that with power in short order so don't let it hold you back. People shoot for the 351 because they can save weight, stroke it, and still make comparable hp and tq to a BB. Plus side of the big block is it makes the same power a little more effortless, more dependable. Hope this helps, good luck with your choice
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 10:35 AM
  #3  
millertime300's Avatar
millertime300
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Corvallis oregon
The BB has a larger bore, smaller stroke, if they are 400/396 I have never heard of a 350 BB, but I suppose you could make one.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 12:43 PM
  #4  
f100guy's Avatar
f100guy
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 5
From: shepherd
there is not a bb 350 that is just a myth that goes around i have heard it too
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 01:02 PM
  #5  
rusty70f100's Avatar
rusty70f100
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
So are FE's big blocks or small blocks? Sure they go up to 428, but there are 460's and 534's out there. Plus, there was a 352FE as was said, with a 4" bore and 3.5" stroke.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 02:31 PM
  #6  
Redneck-Cowboy's Avatar
Redneck-Cowboy
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 997
Likes: 0
From: Weston, Nebraska
So the BB 350 is a myth? Well that would kill my question. I know all about Fords engines w/ the BB352 but SB428, they mix em up a little bit don't they.

Redneck-Cowboy
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 03:56 PM
  #7  
f100guy's Avatar
f100guy
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 5
From: shepherd
yes it is just a rumor so if you are talking to somebody and they say they have a camaro with a bb350 you could ask them to prove it and they will make up some sort of excuse. fe series are big blocks
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 04:00 PM
  #8  
fordman428's Avatar
fordman428
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
ford FE's are big blocks 332 to 428 i believe, 302, 351 are small blocks, correct me if im wrong people im not sure where the 400 falls probobaly big block
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 04:04 PM
  #9  
f100guy's Avatar
f100guy
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 5
From: shepherd
there where 2 400 1 sb and 1 bb
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 04:04 PM
  #10  
f100guy's Avatar
f100guy
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 5
From: shepherd
i think
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 08:56 PM
  #11  
jwtaylor's Avatar
jwtaylor
Postmaster
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 0
Well now that I re read your post I realize I answered a question you didn't ask. I thought you wanted to know 350sbc to 351sbf comparison and why you should use a BB. Again sorry, I bet your read what I wrote and said to your self,"what is he talking about?"

Well if I had read your post correctly I would have agreed with the others no BBC 350. However there was a big block chevy 366 believe it or not. Later
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 09:33 PM
  #12  
frameoff's Avatar
frameoff
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
400 is a small block, its "basically" a 351 but with square dimensions (4"stroke 4" bore) IF I'm not mistaken. I've never heard of a ford 400 bb.

Frame
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2003 | 11:07 PM
  #13  
Redneck-Cowboy's Avatar
Redneck-Cowboy
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 997
Likes: 0
From: Weston, Nebraska
(To: jwtaylor) Yeah I fiqured you read it wrong, but a little more info. never hurt anybody, I got what you were sayin. I also didn't even know there was a 366 out there and yes the 400 was a SB. Anyway off the subject one of our old GMC grain trucks has a V-6 in it w/ a Rochester 1 barrel, sounds like it would be weak, but guess the cubic inch. 305 and I'm not talkin the V-8 it's a V-6 and 1 big chunk of iron it is, I think it could be classified as a big block. I've never drove the thing b/c it hasn't run since I was 5 yrs. old, but that sucker has to have a huge stroke and bore to make 305 cubic inchs. Propably almost like the 300-6 Ford only in a "V"

Redneck-Cowboy
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2003 | 10:53 AM
  #14  
fordman428's Avatar
fordman428
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
yes i know chevy makes a 366 bb because a friend of mine has one in a 1972 chevy grain truck, motor has a 4 barrell and he likes it very much so it must not of been a bad motor chevy made, but i will stick with my fords.
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2003 | 11:28 AM
  #15  
millertime300's Avatar
millertime300
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Corvallis oregon
Frame off
Ford's 351-400 M are big blocks and very common from the mid 70's to very early 80's.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:25 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE