350 big block? True or False?

My manager and I got into an argument about the block size of GM 350's.(yea, we're that bored) So my question to ya'll is: Is a 350 a big block or a small block? He keeps insisting that he had a 350 BB in his car at one time but I think its bs. I've read that back in the 60's they had a 348 big block but thats the only one ive every heard of. But generally they are small blocks correct? I've at least got him to admit there is a SB 350 which he was denying at first. Anyways any help is appreciated.

as far as i know they are Small Blocks

Theoretically you could make a 350ci BBC, but there wouldn't be much sense in it. SBC ftmfw.

[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Big-Block_engine"]This[/URL] should settle the debate. There's no such thing as a 350 BB, but there's effectively a 348 BB.

It can be both. Take for instance the LS7 which is a 427 small block. Previous 427 engines used by GM were mostly big blocks. The 350 refers to the size of the cylinders. In a big block they are spaced farther apart then compared to a small block, thus a small block is usually lighter and shorter.

[QUOTE=baddabang;760313]It can be both. Take for instance the LS7 which is a 427 small block. Previous 427 engines used by GM were mostly big blocks. [/QUOTE]
Which previous 427 engines used by GM were small blocks? :confused:

[QUOTE=nota;760320]Which previous 427 engines used by GM were small blocks? :confused:[/QUOTE]
Wasnt there a 427 in one of the C3 vettes?

[QUOTE=KingNothing;760321]Wasnt there a 427 in one of the C3 vettes?[/QUOTE]

Yeah, and it was a big-block. There were both iron and aluminum versions. And ALL Chevy 350s were small-blocks. I think there was a Pontiac 350, based on the one-size-fits-all Pontiac, Olds, Buick block.

[QUOTE=bruxell;760323]Yeah, and it was a big-block. There were both iron and aluminum versions. And ALL Chevy 350s were small-blocks. I think there was a Pontiac 350, based on the one-size-fits-all Pontiac, Olds, Buick block.[/QUOTE]

Are you saying there was a Pontiac big block 350? other than the 348 that was mentioned earlier?

There were no Pontiac "Big-Blocks" in the classic muscle era. There was only the one Pontiac block used all the way up to 455. Olds, Buick, and Pontiac shared that block. Chevy, and Caddy both had their own seperate engine block programs. I do seem to recall a Pontiac block 350, not the same as the Chevy small-block 350, but not a Chevy big-block either. I could be wrong about that. But ALL Chevy motors under 396 were small-blocks.

[QUOTE=bruxell;760469]But ALL Chevy motors under 396 were small-blocks.[/QUOTE]
False, there was a 348 big block, the "Turbo-Thrust". It was used from 1958 to 1961 in Chevy trucks, but also in the heavy passenger car line in 1958.

Lack of GM knowledge is laughable.

265,283, 302, 307, 327, 400, all small blocks
350, small block, pontiac, buick, oldsmobile, each had thier own engines with 350 ci, all had different configurations of bore, stroke, also manifolds, etc.

348, big block found in early impalas(and other related models)
409, big block, 61-65
396/402, big block, 65-72
427, 66-70's, all big block

[QUOTE=bruxell]But ALL Chevy motors under 396 were small-blocks.[/QUOTE]
refer to 348

[QUOTE=KingNothing;760321]Wasnt there a 427 in one of the C3 vettes?[/QUOTE]


The 427 was an option from 1966-69.

I have heard of some of Chevy's 350 truck engines referred to a "Long Blocks." Most likely thats what is confusing your manager, either that or he is an idiot and you should be managing him.

To the best of my knowledge the smallest Chevy big block was the 366, which was put in buses. Ask him if the middle headers are conjoined or if they were all equa-distance. If they are the ladder then he has a BB

[QUOTE=johnnynumfiv;760526]
348, big block found in early impalas[/QUOTE]


hope you won't hold it against me, I did say "to the best of my knowledge"

[QUOTE=Turbo.Jenkens;760530]hope you won't hold it against me, I did say "to the best of my knowledge"[/QUOTE]

I won't.:p

I might be putting a 348 into my el camino. :D

[QUOTE=johnnynumfiv;760533]I might be putting a 348 into my el camino. :D[/QUOTE]For what purpose? Not saying it's a bad choice but why would you go with a big block 348 instead of a 350 or larger small block? Or a larger big block?

[QUOTE=johnnynumfiv;760533]

I might be putting a 348 into my el camino. :D[/QUOTE]

screw that, Z06 motor FTW :cool: :D

[QUOTE=Bob;760987]For what purpose? Not saying it's a bad choice but why would you go with a big block 348 instead of a 350 or larger small block? Or a larger big block?[/QUOTE]

That's what was in it originally.

Z06 powerplant= 15g's

[QUOTE=johnnynumfiv;761074]That's what was in it originally.[/QUOTE]Oh... from your earlier post I didn't think the 348 came in el camino's/chevelles (you only mentioned impalas.)
Also the small block came as a 305 which you didn't mention... code L04 and LB9 comes to mind.

[QUOTE=Bob;761113]Oh... from your earlier post I didn't think the 348 came in el camino's/chevelles (you only mentioned impalas.)
Also the small block came as a 305 which you didn't mention... code L04 and LB9 comes to mind.[/QUOTE]

The 348's were in the 1st gen el caminos(1959-60), which shared the same frame as the impala, bel air, biscayne etc, 58-61.

Chevelles didn't recieve 348's(discontinued already) or 409's(available in larger cars) since they were released as a 64 model, and the 409 was being phased out at that time.

The 305 was a later model small block.

So what im getting from this is...Yes, there is one 350 BB but it was pointless once they could make a 350 SB? Being the SB had the same displacement but was smaller and lighter. Correct?

PS never bet with someone who "doesn't lose", it just means that they don't pay.

A 348 isn't a 350.

348's were made in the late 50's early 60's. The 350 was first used in 67.

all of you guys are actually wrong there is a big block 350 its callled a 350 rocket its an olds engine that came n 2 types big block and small block the advantage of the big block is that it actualy had more horsepower but less torque also the posibilities of t being bored is greater proportions then a small block do your homework and you will find that i am right cause i own one

[QUOTE=dreed90;874604]all of you guys are actually wrong there is a big block 350 its callled a 350 rocket its an olds engine that came n 2 types big block and small block the advantage of the big block is that it actualy had more horsepower but less torque also the posibilities of t being bored is greater proportions then a small block do your homework and you will find that i am right cause i own one[/QUOTE]

I assumed he was talking about Chevrolet. As all of the "350" engines of GM are different. It's hard to tell the difference between a 350 and 455 right?

yes, there was a 350 big block.

Hi,
This is an important thing done by the people. They did the hard work at this stage.


Jim

And, in my 17 years in the Car business that is ALL I have ever known there to be in a 350 is a small block. . . Now, he may be confusing that with the bullet proof Small block 350 4-bolt main. . . DEFINITELY, the choice of 350's to build around. . . Other than the 2 different sizes of 400 block that is about all I know.

deffinitely small block

I gets me mad when people say there is such thing as a 350 bb, its all bs

How can you guys be car guys and not know that there's a 350 big block? It makes me wonder if they weren't used as much in the United States as they were in Canada. Millions of cars have them. I had a 77 firebird with one. I"m not sure if it was original, but it sure was a 350 big block. I still have a '77 Oldsmobile Delta 88 which my grandparents bought new, with it's original 350 big block. Pontiac, Buick and Oldsmobile shared this engine and put it in all kinds of cars. It looks just like any big block from those brands. Anywhere a 350 big block is sitting, a 455 will bolt right in. I have made this swap several times. Also, the 301 turbo and non turbo is a big block and can be swapped out for a 350 BB or a 455. Straight exchange.

I think the Chevy small block 350 is a more versatile engine and is better for all kinds of reasons, but you can squeeze tons of power from a 350 BB if you wanna spend the money.

yikes. I just realized this thread is 2 years old. LOL

[quote=KingNothing;760298]My manager and I got into an argument about the block size of GM 350's.[/quote]

THIS may provide an answer: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR1KYKP1wQM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR1KYKP1wQM[/ame]

Hot as the moustache of a cross-eyed fire eater and winds tighter than a G-string on an overweight stripper.
The owner/driver states: " Basically it is highly modified Buick Century 1954 with a Chevrolet 355 engine that provides aprox 480 real HP, a Mc phearson/Hammerlund suspention (back/front), 2 80 liters fuel cells, disk brakes (Wilwood 6 pistons), a Richmond closewide 5 gear box, top speed 165 miles/hr, and overall prepared by Uvi Vega. The car is fun and fast, but can not do anything vs the top Studebakers; it is too heavy and not very aerodynamic at top speeds (above 140 it matters!). The 53-55 Studebakers can do 180! So, as pretty much everybody else in La Carrera, we just run for the fun of it and hope for the best result. Regards!"

There are some impressive cars down at the Carrera. I was down there with a 65 Ford Falcon and a 58 Volvo 444.

[quote=KingNothing;760298]My manager and I got into an argument about the block size of GM 350's.(yea, we're that bored) So my question to ya'll is: Is a 350 a big block or a small block? He keeps insisting that he had a 350 BB in his car at one time but I think its bs. I've read that back in the 60's they had a 348 big block but thats the only one ive every heard of. But generally they are small blocks correct? I've at least got him to admit there is a SB 350 which he was denying at first. Anyways any help is appreciated.[/quote]



The first ever production big Block V8 Chevrolet engine was the "Single U" series, released in 1958 for passenger car and truck use. This engine was an Overhead valve design, with offset valves and unique scalloped rocker covers, giving it a distinctive appearance. The "W" series was produced from 1958 to 1965, with three displacements offered: 348 cubic inches (5.7 L), available from 1958 to 1961 in cars and through 1964 in trucks; 409 cubic inches (6.702 L), available from 1961 to 1965; and 427 cubic inches (6.9973 L), available in 1962 and 1963.

As was the norm at the time, the "W" engine was of cast iron construction. The block had 4.84-inch (123 mm) bore centers, two-bolt main bearing caps, a "side oiling" lubrication system (main oil gallery located low on the driver's side of the crankcase) with full flow oil filter, and interchangeable cylinder heads. Heads used on the high performance 409 and 427 engines had larger ports and valves than those used on the 348 and the base 409 passenger car and truck engines, but externally were identical to the standard units. One minor difference between the 348 and 409/427 was the location of the engine oil dipstick: it was on the driver's side on the former and passenger's side on the latter. No satisfactory explanation was ever offered for why this change was made. However, it did provide a fairly reliable way to differentiate between the smaller and larger versions of the engine.

As with the 265 and 283 cubic inch small block engines, the "W" engine valve gear consisted of tubular steel push rods operating stud-mounted, stamped steel rocker arms. The push rods also acted as a conduit for oil flow to the valve gear. Due to the relatively low mass of the valve train, mechanical lifter versions of the "W" engine were capable of operating at speeds well beyond 6000 RPM.

Unlike many of its contemporaries, the "W" combustion chamber was in the upper part of the cylinder, not the head, the latter having only tiny recesses for the valves. This arrangement was achieved by combining the use of a cylinder head deck that was not perpendicular to the bore with a crowned piston, a novel concept in American production engines of the day. As the piston approached top dead center, the angle of the crown combined with that of the head deck to form a wedge shaped combustion chamber with a pronounced quench area. The spark plug protruded vertically into this chamber, which tended to cause a rapidly moving flame front during combustion.

The theory behind this sort of arrangement is that maximum brake mean effective pressure is developed at relatively low engine speeds, resulting in an engine with a broad torque curve. With its relatively flat torque characteristics, the "W" engine was well-suited to propelling both trucks and the heavier cars that were in vogue in the USA at the time of the engine's development.

The "W" had a dry weight of approximately 665 pounds (302 kg), depending on intake manifold and carburetion, and was a physically massive engine compared to its small block predecessor.

So to answer your question: Yes, there is a 350 bb. :eek:

i have a 350 big block in my elcaminos both 73 and 74