at what ci does a block become "big"

[NIKwoaC]

is are this thread really good at win

Plus one.

 

[gearheadboy]

This must be cleared up............the length of the connecting rod has NOTHING to do with displacement, period. ONLY bore and stroke make up the differences in displacement. Rod length only effects relative piston speed and dwell time of the piston at TDC and BDC. I can make a long rod 302 by moving the piston pin closer to the top of the piston, and I can make a 302 with a short rod by moving the piston pin further down from the top of the piston. In both cases, the 4" bore and 3" stroke determine that it is indeed a 302 cid engine.

You are absolutely correct. I was having a blonde moment. That's what happens when you add a statement to CYA and it backfires.

 

[90lxwhite]

You boys are a wealth of knowledge

 

[TOOLOW91]

has anyone ever looked at actual block size as mentioned above ? because that's what I have always gone by

 

[CarMichael Angelo]

Back in the day, folks said BIG BLOCK or SMALL BLOCK to differentiate the physical characteristics of the engine you were using. Not internal characteristics but EXTERNAL. So folks were on the same page as to what cross member, bell housing, exhaust, etc., that was needed to mate up to the engine block. It had nothing at all to do with internal displacement... and then there were mid-blocks.

Didn't I just say that? Stop plagiarizing me.

 

[Noobz347]

Didn't I just say that? Stop plagiarizing me.

Wait... So now you're accusing me of actually READING your posts???

As if...

 

[NIKwoaC]

has anyone ever looked at actual block size as mentioned above ? because that's what I have always gone by

I go by number of spark plugs.

 

[jcgafford]

disregard

 

[jcgafford]

disregard​

​

 

[CarMichael Angelo]

Wait... So now you're accusing me of actually READING your posts???

As if...

PPShaaw! Way!

 

[TOOLOW91]

I go by number of spark plugs.

I like your style ! I found a 4 cyl car with the rare big block in it 8 sparkplugs for 4 cyl is a big power multiplier! Rare option....

 

[blackfive-o]

Well, let me have a try. I grew up in the muscle car era, late 60's early seventies. I will talk strictly Chevy here, since I did not know much about Fords back then. Big blocks were big engines, just to look at, small blocks were small. Big blocks had BIG heads, small blocks had small heads. Big block exhaust ports were evenly spaced, small blocks weren't. You could tell the difference by the sound. Small block = high revving engine, big block = torque monster. It's different now with the overhead cams, cause the 4 valve heads are so big. I am talking "back in the day". Big was BIG, small was SMALL! Big dick, small dick, same thing!