Big Block, Small Block, or M ?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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Hypoid, I've never seen a "Big Block 390" but if you look through the posts here you'll see that a lot of folks always say "Big Block 390 or 390 Big Block". Kinda like they say 400M and vin "NUMBER". I guess it's a good thing, lets us know who knows what they're talkin' about and who doesn't.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
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From: Union, Washington
There was never a small block 390. The 351 and 400 are part of the 335 family and are both small blocks. The FE engines are sometimes referred to as big blocks, since when they came on the scene in 1958 until 1968, when the 429/460 or 385 engine series, the FE was the only Big Block Ford.
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Oh boy, this again.
351m and 400s are oddballs. They have big block deck height, with small block bore spaceing.
You can't reliably use the big/small terms for Fords as there are too many engine series for it to work. Take V8s with 4" bore, 3.5" stroke:
352 FE. Big.
351 C. Small.
351 M. Big. (but with small bore space)
351 W. Small. (but bigger than small 289/302)
The closest thing to a "390 small block" would be a 351W stroker, which isn't a factory issued motor, and comes up to 393 or 392 iirc in one of the more popular versions.
351m and 400s are oddballs. They have big block deck height, with small block bore spaceing.
You can't reliably use the big/small terms for Fords as there are too many engine series for it to work. Take V8s with 4" bore, 3.5" stroke:
352 FE. Big.
351 C. Small.
351 M. Big. (but with small bore space)
351 W. Small. (but bigger than small 289/302)
The closest thing to a "390 small block" would be a 351W stroker, which isn't a factory issued motor, and comes up to 393 or 392 iirc in one of the more popular versions.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
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From: Golden, CO
Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
Oh boy, this again.
The terms were accepted into general nomenclature before I was born. Just like people say "Kleenex" instead of tissue, or "Band-Aid" instead of adhesive bandage, or "Bendix" instead of starter drive.
I'm not losing any sleep over it. Life is too short and has real problems to worry about.
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From: Mississippi
289,302,351W small blocks considered to be in the same family. 351 Cleveland,351M,400 small blocks, in the same family. 332,352,360,390,406,410,427,428, big blocks in the same family. 429,460 big blocks same family. That is how they are listed in all books, and that is not even all of the FE family, there is the FT series. How they came up with it I don't know? As far as deck height, bore size, stroke, weight, etc.? It doesn't really matter to me but ,it may matter to you. You might want to contact FORD and see why they classified them the way they did?zrx...
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
This is "Funny" well be it right or be it wrong..growing up at the Drag strip in the 60's flat head were known as flatty's and the 260,289,302 were known as small blocks, all FE motors were known as the big Fords until like Bear said the invent of the 385 series which became the new BBF..and the FE series was just that Not the BB anymore but the FE.. The freaks were the 351C and 351W and the 400M..Best I can remember anyway..what can I say..I'am old and feeble.. Sorry I cant afford books..couldnt read them anyways..Have to go my a bad memory ! 
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No, your memory is perfect. "In the day..." when you had either a 289 or a 390 in your Mustang or Fairlane or even you Galaxie, SB/BB worked pretty well. Either that or my memory has gone the same way yours has....
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From: Mississippi
Look 85e150six4mtod and bear45/70, I am by no means a EXPERT! Like you rudely call me!! I really don't care what any of you think of me. I was just offering information that I have read and what has been passed down to me from others. If you want to argue about big block\ small block go ahead if that makes you happy? I will say what I have to say and I really don't want to discuss this anymore. Weather it is or it isn't it is your problem!!! I think you just want to argue on something irrelevant.Build what you want small block\big block\ or what ever you want to call it, JUST BUILD IT.I think that I am just entertaining you with my suggestions I have made so, don't reply back, zrxlover(THE EXPERT) Bear 45\70 I just listed the FE motors without listing all of the FT motors.Most of the FE motors that I have listed are better known.As far as the FT:361,330HD,330MD,359,389,391, etc., I just didn't list them, sorry bear 45/70. Thanks for the SLAM anyway,bear.
