Big block / small block - difference?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Ravenna/Athens
Well I dont know all the technical stuff like some do. But basically what I know is that small blocks are RPM motors where as bb's are not. Not saying that they cant push the RPMs, they just dont like to. Also growin up I equated bb's w/gas hogs. Of course my bb 300 doesnt do too badly on gas...........ok yea it does, but thats not the point, LOL
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Chatsworth, CA
Just displacement. Big block=bigger displacement=more power. You can build a small block to be as powerful as a big block. Alot of guys do this because small block parts are cheaper and a small block is easier to fit in the engine bay. Big blocks are bigger and harder to fit into some vehicles. There is no comparison though between a built small block and a built big block the power and torque are much greater in a big block.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: South Dakota
Well you have different overall size of engine so they don't fit the same compartment. Different fuel mileage, different power types...horse power vs torque. Cost factor going in...cost factor to build up. Incompatability for swapping and keeping the same trans, driveline. More weight = heavier front end.
Then there's the WOW factor... a tire ripper at low rpms or a high rpm screamer.
Then there's the WOW factor... a tire ripper at low rpms or a high rpm screamer.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Chatsworth, CA
Originally Posted by MuscleMachine
So it makes sense to have a larger block engine on an F250 and higher then, right?
Diesel is the way to go! 
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
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big block is good for towing, whether ford 460, chevy 454 or any diesel.
Small block is good for every day stuff. But you don't want 460 for an every day driver, with 9mpg.
Small block is good for every day stuff. But you don't want 460 for an every day driver, with 9mpg.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Chatsworth, CA
Originally Posted by carpe_diem
big block is good for towing, whether ford 460, chevy 454 or any diesel.
Small block is good for every day stuff. But you don't want 460 for an every day driver, with 9mpg.
Small block is good for every day stuff. But you don't want 460 for an every day driver, with 9mpg.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Centerville, Iowa
Alot of the differences are the distance between the cylinders...thickness of the casting. Try to bore out a smallblock..and you don't get very far. Example: 302. Then go to a 460 and try boring that out. WOW big difference.
Big blocks will generally consume more gas, be more expensive, and have a lower rpm where their power comes on.
It's hard to put definative technical specifications on it. I've asked this question myself back in the day. Basically it depends on the casting thickness on the bores. You can bore the hell out of a big block...but a smallblock will quickly reveal that you now have paper thin water jackets.
Big blocks will generally consume more gas, be more expensive, and have a lower rpm where their power comes on.
It's hard to put definative technical specifications on it. I've asked this question myself back in the day. Basically it depends on the casting thickness on the bores. You can bore the hell out of a big block...but a smallblock will quickly reveal that you now have paper thin water jackets.
