Re: Did Chevy consider Packard V8 BB Design?

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2009/2/22 21:28:32

I'm surprised the big block/small block thing isn't obvious. But maybe you guys weren't reading hot rod magazines in the 60s ha ha.

The first use of the term I remember came after Chev introduced the 396 in 1965. It was a totally new design with almost no parts interchanging with their existing engine and was decidedly bigger and 100 pounds heavier.

The "blocks" of course were completely different. So to be technical a "small block" engine refers to the Chev 265-283-327-350-400 series and the "big block" is the Chev 366-396-402-427-454 family.

Since then the same term has been borrowed for other brands even though they had their own nomenclature. Chrysler for example always referred to A and B engines, the A engine being the old pre 1966 318, LA being the newer 318, B the 383 type, and RB the same as the B but with a taller block deck for the 413 and bigger jobs.

I know I got a laugh when I worked in a VW garage and referred to the Type 4 Bus engine as a "big block Volkswagen". Even though that is what it was.