[i82much]

Originally Posted by Donovan

Hahaha, I like that.

Thanks! Sure, I get your meaning. But I don't see why you would not call a Pontiac a big block. It's big compared to most other V8s. A lot bigger. And bigger than the 301 which they made a couple million of. Are you also saying big block is strictly a BBC term? not sure.

I think big block and small block are just terms that are used within engine families that have two blocks with completely different dimensions, and tall deck/short deck are used within engine families to refer to individual blocks that are identical with respect to external dimensions besides differences in deck height.

I agree that a Pontiac is closer to a "big block" than it is to a "small block." For my part, I just accept the standard practice of referring to a "Pontiac block" without need to clarify other than to specify if it is a "short deck." But in that case, given that you're talking about a pontiac, isn't calling it a "big block" redundant? And of course even that isn't simple enough, as there are plenty of different castings.

Anyway, it's not that you're "wrong" in a pure semantic sense. At worst, it's a bit redundant and you'll get some odd looks. No big deal.

[goatman65]

A guy has here has a really nice 69 Chevelle.He was telling me that one nite he was doing 130 mph because the speedo needle kept going past 120 to zero.

Another guy with a 71 Chevelle told me that his car spins so bad when he nails it that the tires spin on the rims and the valve stems break off.

[Evil Stu]

Here in Canada they are often referred to as the "blue block" 350/400/455, or even the American block" 350/400/455.

At least I know what engine they're talking about, even if they insist my 70 should have a "six pack".

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by Donovan

The only Buick small block is the 350. The Olds were the 330/350/403! D

I'd say the aluminum Buick 215 sure was a small block -

Id say the Olds 350 & 455s are the same family (just like the 301 455 Pontiac); you can exchange the cylinder heads. Can't do that on a SBC & BBC

Like all the Ford guys calling the 351M/400 a big block because they had a C6 tranny bolt pattern, yet you can still bolt 302 W heads on it.

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by facn8me

I remember one now. Standing in NAPA when one of the sales guys started telling me about his fast elcamino. He had went to the drags and he ran a 16.20 BUT he was asleep at the light. It took him a few seconds to realize the lights had dropped. His reaction time was almost 3 seconds. So he had a 13 second ride... You could see his heart break as I informed him he coulda sat there for a week and his car still woulda posted the 16.20 since the clock doesn't start till you actually move.

This is the funniest post yet.

[Lightfoot]

Originally Posted by Donovan

You cannot ignore the 301 and 265 as your heart desires or dismiss it as an anomaly just so it fits your argument. I can buy parts off the shelf at Autozone . Even non-car people have heard of a 301. I can find them in junkyards in every city. They were used across the board in all GM passenger cars brands of the era. It's not like it was experimental and never made it to production. Or was only available over the counter.

Are you saying the 301 didn't have enough tenure to have any legitimacy? It needed to last 24 years first?

I believe you mis-read his post. He was refering to the 303: developed for racing only, not the 301.

Originally Posted by Donovan;

Other makes aren't hung up on this. The only Buick small block is the 350. The Olds were the 330/350/403!

You forgot about the 260 Olds, 1975-1981. Millions & millions produced.

Also, Buick had a 340 small block in the mid sixties.

[Lightfoot]

Originally Posted by 455Grandville

366

And the 348 Chevy isn't exactly a small block.

[SRR]

Originally Posted by Evil Stu

Here in Canada they are often referred to as the "blue block" 350/400/455, or even the American block" 350/400/455.

At least I know what engine they're talking about, even if they insist my 70 should have a "six pack".

Was at a car show years ago and saw a 65 GTO with a six pack of beer attached to the open hood...He had arrows pointing to the carbs and the six pac with the words "This is a six pack" and "This is a Tri-power" I thought that was pretty witty.

[Teej]

Originally Posted by spartazoo

Red fender liners at an open car show...need I say more?

I don't get it??? Unless you are going to talk about all the Olds guys and their comments....

[goatwgn]

If you guys really want to see "dumb" comments, look at almost any video of any kind of car ,car chase, car show,truck,motorcycle or airplane on "You Tube". Then read the idiotic comments by "experts" under the thing. I look at these sometimes for a laugh.

[goatwgn]

I need to find me a '61 Tempest and tell everyone it has the "Big Block" 195 ci 4 cylinder.

[goatwgn]

Originally Posted by Lightfoot

I believe you mis-read his post. He was refering to the 303: developed for racing only, not the 301.


You forgot about the 260 Olds, 1975-1981. Millions & millions produced.

Also, Buick had a 340 small block in the mid sixties.

Olds "short deck blocks" 260,307,330,350,403. Buick SB 215,300,340,350. Olds "tall deck blocks 400,425,455. Buick BB 400,430,455. And of course Buick had the nailheads,(264,322,364,401,425) and Olds had the "first generation design" engines as well ('49-'64 303,324,371,394). It is understandable that non-car people would assume a "Large Displacement" engine relative to another would be a "Big Block". I think what we see funny here is someone "acting" like they are an expert on something, then making a stupid sounding statement around people who actually know better.

[69Farburd]

I had some neighborhood kids admiring my 69 Firebird. One of them asked me if it had a hemi in it. I told him of course it does. I don't even try any more.

[i82much]

Originally Posted by 69Farburd

I had some neighborhood kids admiring my 69 Firebird. One of them asked me if it had a hemi in it. I told him of course it does. I don't even try any more.

With kids I don't mind. With adults, I mean either be a car guy or don't. But don't pretend to be something you're not just to talk like you have or had something cool. I'm not saying that to be into old cars you have to be able to recite the specs of a 30-30 Duntov or 041 off the top of your head. But a 40 year old guy telling me about his 67 goat he bought stock "with the tripower and the supercharger" um ...

I seem to remember some country songs and books that bothered me with really inaccurate car stuff too.

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by i82much

With kids I don't mind. With adults, I mean either be a car guy or don't. But don't pretend to be something you're not just to talk like you have or had something cool. I'm not saying that to be into old cars you have to be able to recite the specs of a 30-30 Duntov or 041 off the top of your head. But a 40 year old guy telling me about his 67 goat he bought stock "with the tripower and the supercharger" um ...

I seem to remember some country songs and books that bothered me with really inaccurate car stuff too.

Ya mean like Brooks & Dunn's Red dirt road?

[Donovan]

Originally Posted by i82much

I think big block and small block are just terms that are used within engine families that have two blocks with completely different dimensions, and tall deck/short deck are used within engine families to refer to individual blocks that are identical with respect to external dimensions besides differences in deck height.

I agree that a Pontiac is closer to a "big block" than it is to a "small block." For my part, I just accept the standard practice of referring to a "Pontiac block" without need to clarify other than to specify if it is a "short deck." But in that case, given that you're talking about a pontiac, isn't calling it a "big block" redundant? And of course even that isn't simple enough, as there are plenty of different castings.

Anyway, it's not that you're "wrong" in a pure semantic sense. At worst, it's a bit redundant and you'll get some odd looks. No big deal.

Yeah, agreed. And more to the point it's a functional problem in Pontiac conversation. How many Pontiac guys are hotrodding a 301/303/265? How many are working with the larger block? So yeah it's redundant to define it as a big block in our circles.

If a non-Pontiac person says 'Hey! Nice big block 389 Pontiac with a 6 pack!' Well, I think it's a compliment. A person should look past the ignorant parts. I'm saying let's stop harping on the big block comment in general we have no real grounds for it.

Originally Posted by Evil Stu

Here in Canada they are often referred to as the "blue block" 350/400/455, or even the American block" 350/400/455.

At least I know what engine they're talking about, even if they insist my 70 should have a "six pack".

I didn't know that, cool! American block! I assume compared to what we call 'corporate' blocks?

Originally Posted by 455Grandville

I'd say the aluminum Buick 215 sure was a small block -

Id say the Olds 350 & 455s are the same family (just like the 301 455 Pontiac); you can exchange the cylinder heads. Can't do that on a SBC & BBC

Like all the Ford guys calling the 351M/400 a big block because they had a C6 tranny bolt pattern, yet you can still bolt 302 W heads on it.

Yep, but you splitting hairs on me here. Interesting factoids for sure! But it doesn't really apply here. I bet that 351M BBF thing gets some Ford guys going though!

The Olds thing is true and just happened that way probably to save engineering cash. The Buicks are similar in design but not a swap.

Originally Posted by Lightfoot

I believe you mis-read his post. He was refering to the 303: developed for racing only, not the 301.


You forgot about the 260 Olds, 1975-1981. Millions & millions produced.

Also, Buick had a 340 small block in the mid sixties.

Actually, the conversations started on 301s and the 303 from what I understand was what they were based off of. But anyway, the 303 was not a good argument so I stuck to the 301 aspect. They made 5 of them or something? Like you are saying

Yes, so you agree with me, the 260 is included in there too.

340? Now we are comparing engines from closely related families across different eras? Fine. Does this example prove or disprove something about BBP?

Originally Posted by goatwgn

Olds "short deck blocks" 260,307,330,350,403. Buick SB 215,300,340,350. Olds "tall deck blocks 400,425,455. Buick BB 400,430,455. And of course Buick had the nailheads,(264,322,364,401,425) and Olds had the "first generation design" engines as well ('49-'64 303,324,371,394). It is understandable that non-car people would assume a "Large Displacement" engine relative to another would be a "Big Block". I think what we see funny here is someone "acting" like they are an expert on something, then making a stupid sounding statement around people who actually know better.

Yes I agree. Saying 'big block Pontiac' does mark a person real quick.

All said I would not say big block Pontiac to describe my 350 er 354! I just don't see what the big deal is for others to say it.

Did Pontiac have a 301 V8? yes. Did they also have a V8 that was bigger in size during the same era? yes. Is this engine also large compared to other makes? yes. Stuff like that.

[Donovan]

Back to topic, sorry folks...

In general it has always made me cringe when asked what year mustang I drive. Or folks who's dad or uncle had a stock muscle car or even station wagon that could pull the front wheels with open manifolds

Or the people who act like they want to buy your car on the spot? 'how much would you take for it, right now?'

[hurryinhoosier62]

Bill,

I'm STILL trying to figure out how you "shackle up" a GTO unless it's a '74!!

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by hurryinhoosier62

Bill,

I'm STILL trying to figure out how you "shackle up" a GTO unless it's a '74!!

Bingo.And the song would have sounded just as good with "my jacked up GTO".

[i82much]

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

Ya mean like Brooks & Dunn's Red dirt road?

That's it! Unless ... no disrespect, but ... a song about a 74????