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Boettli
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2002
09:33:34
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 Subject: Quick explanation please.
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3 terms I hear but don't quite know the definitions
1) What makes a "small block" a small block?
2) What makes a "big block" a big block?
3) What makes an engine a "stroker" engine?
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2002
18:30:08
|  RE: Quick explanation please.
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Cubic inches makes up the small block and big block, a Stroker like in a chevy is a small block 350 bored .030 over and uses a 400 cubic inch motor crank shaft, which in terms gives you a 383 STROKER.. Hope this helps..
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scat pack
GenIII
3/05/2002
17:29:44
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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There's a little more to it than that. Kevsters 383 stroker example is a small block while 383 mopar is a big block. Big block motors are bigger, and usually stronger. Most small blocks weigh about 500 lbs while big blocks can weigh around 700 lbs. This too is an over simplification as an aluminum big block is as light as a small block but is still a big block ! It's basically a design thing, with big blocks generally considered stronger and so can be reliably built to higher horsepower levels, but at a weight penalty. If your not confused enough yet that mopar 383 is a low deck big block ("B" motor) while a 440 is an "RB" (raised, taller block)
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NYSubDak
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2002
19:01:04
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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Stroking an engine means modifying it so that the piston travels farther down. This involves using a crank that has greater offset. But since this will make the piston travel up farther also, a connecting rod that is shorter by roughly half the added crank offset. This increases displacement without boring the cylinders. More displacement can be gained this way sometimes than by increasing bore, however they are typically done together. One thing to note is that changing stroke affects torque signature of the engine. I believe you actually lose low end torque (important in a truck)in most applications.
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alex
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2002
19:31:04
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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Here's the break-down on small blocks vs big blocks as accepted by Hot Rod Magazine and all the others....
Any motor under 360 cubic inches is a small block. Any manufacturer, any casting. The end.
Any motor over 360 cubic inches is a big block. Any manufacturer, any casting.
By taking a crankshaft with a larger offset and using shorter connecting rods, you increase the storke of an engine (any further explanation will require you doing some reading on your own. Look at last month's Hot Rod for a great article on stroker motors). If you start out with a 360 Mopar motor and add the 4" crank shaft, for instance, you get a small-block that's been stroked to 408 inches. It's still a small-block because it started life as a small-block casting. If you take a 400 cubic inch Mopar motor from the 70's and bore it out a little bit, you could come close to a 408, but because it started life as a big block casting, it's considered a big block.
Years ago, Hot Rod dyno'd a 406 small block Chevy vs a 406 Big Block Chevy and the small block stroker made more power. But only by a few hp....
Food for thought.
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Mike
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2002
21:39:26
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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Thats not exactly true either.
i.e.
Ford 351 Windsor = Small Block
Ford 351 Cleveland = Big Block
Chevy 396 = Big Block
Chevy 400 = Small Block
There is no real rule of thumb, however physical size has a lot to do with it...And however the manufacturer designated it in the first place...
Just my 2 cents...Mike
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alex
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2002
08:38:12
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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I don't know who told you a 351 Cleveland was a big block.... but there's people laughing at you in my office right now.
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scat pack
GenIII
3/06/2002
18:16:45
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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I'll bet there's more people on this website laughing at you, Alex. Guess what ? Chevy 400 = smallblock, Pontiac 400 = big block. Ford's not the only example of the exceptions to your "rule" !
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Boettli
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2002
19:23:23
|  RE: Quick explanation please.
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Really appreciate the replys.
The big block, small block thing I figured was probably determined by the Cubic inches.
But the stroker thing had me wondering.
Man I love this site!
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Mike
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2002
19:56:30
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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Let em laugh..and learn..
The 351 Cleveland is a big block.As is the 390 also a Cleveland block..Like it or not..
Look into it a little more and educate yourself and your office friends....
Mike
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handi2
GenIII
3/06/2002
21:50:06
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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This is a rough crowd..! I was a teenager messing with cars in the 60's and we considered anything over a 350 a big block. But as we all can see, it can differ greatly from different manufactures. I really don't remember what the differences are. I'm sure there is a site on the web to clear it all up.
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SLEEPER318
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2002
22:09:16
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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You can say what you want, the 351c and 351 m are small block period. Call Ford and ask them. Like it or not it's a small block. I have a 1982 Ford book on Mustangs, From the first threw 82' It gives you the compression and and anything else you want to know. It's a small block.
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handi2
GenIII
3/06/2002
22:42:13
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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The only thing I can say for sure is that my 68 Mustang Fastback 289c code (5 time concourse winner) is a small block..!
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Mike
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2002
08:48:45
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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Okay!! Okay!!!
I've educated myself..I appologize...I can admit when I'm wrong..
I was mistaken on the 351 Cleveland being a big block, I didn't know what I was talking about.And the 390 is an FE ford big block..As is the 352, also an FE BIG block....Still doesn't follow your 360 cubic inch theory however....Does it?
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alex
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2002
09:26:18
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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Whatever.... some pig-iron Ford motor from the early 60's is a big block. Maybe. Whatever... I'm not gonna argue.
If you really want some more info on stroker motors, check out last months' Hot Rod. There's a good article on how to stroke any motor.
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who am I
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2002
15:07:25
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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I have a 72 javelin that has a 360 dodge I love it when I can make it run butI was thinking of a ford or chevy engine any advise or should I stick with the dodge.
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alex
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2002
16:18:15
| You are him....
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You should go back to the original AMC 390. Be different.
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Dakota/cali
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2002
16:53:27
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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Besides my Dakota and a toyota beater i had for a couple of months I had always been a ford guy.
351W- smallblock
351M- Smallblock
351C-Argued by all for alltime what it really is.But I know The cleveland in my mind is a big block. True hotrod motor, my dad has 700 horspower in a Pantera which is powered by the Cleveland.
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Dak-five-oh
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2002
22:22:48
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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I may not be correct but it was my understanding The major difference in the 351c and 351w was in the heads, more specifically in the layout of the valves. I am far from the most knowledgable so if I am wrong please don't abuse me to much. but this was my understanding
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dragrdan
Dodge Dakota
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4/27/2002
23:26:53
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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scat: pontiac never had the small/big block designation. all pontiac v-8s share the same basic block from 301-455
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DODGEZILLA
Dodge Dakota
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4/28/2002
00:44:40
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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stupid question over here!!!!
ooh ooh pick me pick me...
whats the difference between a 318 and a 360? ive read stuff that the same headers will fit both and other bolts ons too. is it just the crank and stuff thats the difference?
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quikbear
Dodge Dakota
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5/23/2002
19:10:46
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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I believe it depends on the block casting and whether the manufacturer first used it as a small or big block but I'm not sure. The chevy 400 was intended for trucks and they probably figured a stroked small block would have more torque than a de-stroked big block. But they also made a 400 big block so who knows.
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Bill Smith
Dodge Dakota
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5/23/2002
23:36:57
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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there are several differences between the cleveland and windsor. like was posted earlier, the main difference is water jacket and valve lay out. the windsor valves are all in a row like the 302 and most all other engines,the cleveland had stageted/canted valves like the hemi's with more of a domed combustion chamber. there are other suttle differences but the valve design is the main difference. and yes it is a small block designed motor. spent a few of my early years wrenchin at Ford.
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Prospector
Dodge Dakota
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5/24/2002
09:08:26
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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All of this talk about strokin and shafts has got
my girlfriend really excited !!
What should I do ?
She has a small bore ... should I reame it, bore
it or plug it ?
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Troy
Dodge Dakota
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5/24/2002
09:19:16
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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As far as cubic inches determining small block verse big block. That is definitely not true!! I am pretty sure Dodge's V10 (488 cubes) is a small block. This is the Viper engine I am referring too. It's also in the Ram's, but not quite the same as the Viper.
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Dr.Dakota
Dodge Dakota
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5/24/2002
12:43:28
| RE: Quick explanation please.
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Its simple, it has nothing to do with Cubes or who makes it. You can have a small big block or a huge small block.
A big block has a longer stroke than the bore (long cylinder/crank offset, small diameter pistons).
A small block has a bigger bore than the stroke (short cylinder/crank offset, wide piston).
Therefore a small block can increase piston speed faster (smaller distance to cover) and a big block has more initial torque because its momentum (greater distance to cover before the piston has to stop and reverse travel).
I beleive this is covered in High School Auto Shop.
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