Notices

360 big block or small block?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 08:00 AM
  #1  
1985ColumbusF150's Avatar
1985ColumbusF150
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
360 big block or small block?

Is there any way to tell if I have a 360 big block or small block? The guy I bought my 76 f250 highboy with a 360 said it was a 360 small block. Was there such a thing? It seems the posts always refer to an FE 360 as a big block. I'd like to buy the book " How to rebuild your ford big block" but want to make sure my 360 is truely a big block.

Thanks
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 08:07 AM
  #2  
gtex's Avatar
gtex
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
It's all a play on words.

The 360 is part of the FE series that includes the 352, 390, 427 and 428 among other motors. most people refer to them as a big block. They are heavy and have a wide intake manifold. but they are not the same as the Big Block Fords (429, 460 etc) nor is the FE a small block (289 ,302, 351 etc).

hope that helps.
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 10:10 AM
  #3  
Mike G's Avatar
Mike G
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, CO
How about... It was a big block until the introduction of the 429/460 (or 385 series engines)

--Mike
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 10:13 AM
  #4  
BB's Avatar
BB
Post Fiend
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 8
From: Brea CA
It's a small big block.
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 11:36 AM
  #5  
rusty70f100's Avatar
rusty70f100
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
I just say FE block and be done with it. Big block / small block is a chebby thing.
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 01:30 PM
  #6  
mswift's Avatar
mswift
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
rusty70f100 hit the nail on the head........It's an FE, and that's all that matters. Small block, Big block are definetly a chivy term.
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 04:34 PM
  #7  
RapidRuss's Avatar
RapidRuss
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by mswift
rusty70f100 hit the nail on the head........It's an FE, and that's all that matters. Small block, Big block are definetly a chivy term.

No its not even a Chevy thing..Chev made a 400 small block and also made a 400 big block....small block larger bore shorter stroke, big block smaller bore longer stroke....

And with Fords the 260,289,302, and the 351 even tho that is part of the 335 series, in which is just a smaller version of the 429, 460, the 385 series.
But like was said...at the time before the 429 and the 460, that was the deviding line...but then ford snuck in the 370 smaller than the 390 and only ten cubes more the 360 and is in the 385 series also considered a big block?

Thats one thing about Ford between there engineers and there Freakin foundries...I dont think they could find there *** at that time with both hands?

But, ya gotta lov em!!
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 05:10 PM
  #8  
rusty70f100's Avatar
rusty70f100
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Well for the two 400's, one's a SBC and the other's a BBC. Small block, big block. What's so hard about that?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

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

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-6

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 05:24 PM
  #9  
RapidRuss's Avatar
RapidRuss
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by rusty70f100
Well for the two 400's, one's a SBC and the other's a BBC. Small block, big block. What's so hard about that?

The Point Being Kurt! was that ford was not the only one who made engine's that you had to pull the heads or the pan on to find out what the hell they were!

Because from the outside they looked the same!! Now dont get cocky on me!!! LMAO!!!!

Russ
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2004 | 05:28 PM
  #10  
RapidRuss's Avatar
RapidRuss
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Club FTE Silver Member

And another was the 400 and the 402....both badge's said 400? and 1 was really a .030 over 396....but the wore the same badge starting in 71 I think?
 

Last edited by RapidRuss; Oct 7, 2004 at 05:31 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2004 | 11:42 PM
  #11  
averagef250's Avatar
averagef250
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
I find I have to call the FE an FE otherwise people don't know what I'm talking about. I remember hearing somewhere that the terms big and small block were derived from an engine having a deep skirt or not. Therefore, "BIG BLOCK" for deep skirt critters and small block for no deep skirt. Obviously the flaw is big chevy's don't have a deep skirt. If a random person asks what engine is in my truck I'll say it's a big block. I like rubbing it in to my chebby friends that I just have a little itty bitty 390 in my truck though. It runs stronger and will tow more with a manual than their big block chevy powered rigs will tow with automatics.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
forestgreen
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Dec 23, 2022 08:16 PM
martyanderson10
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Feb 4, 2015 10:11 AM
steve33444
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
25
Dec 10, 2014 12:27 PM
TheDawnof68
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
23
Sep 29, 2014 07:07 PM
gonefishin
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Oct 13, 2002 09:33 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:23 AM.

story-0
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-02 21:45:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic 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 | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-5
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-9
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE