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History of the Small Block Chevy 

How to Build & Modify Chevrolet Small-Block V-8 Pistons, Rods & Crankshafts, Motorbooks International, 1992

The small block was introduced in 1955 with 265cid. Unless you are restoring a car and want to be exact in every detail, the early 265 block is not one to use since it has no oil filter. During 1956 this was rectified and the engine continued in production until 1957. In 1957, the engine size was stepped up to 283cia. This engine, with its 3.875in bore and 3.000in stroke, continued production until 1967. Up to about 1958 the small block Chevrolet used a rope type rear main seal,but from this point to the 1986 model the now familiar split neoprene seal was used.

In the 1962 model year the Corvette came out with 327cia. This was the first of the 4.000in bore motors, and set the stage for what was to become the most common bore size among small blocks. Equally note worthy is the fact that the stroke was increased to 3.250in. This necessitated larger counterweights and as a result, some substantial internal modifications had to be done to the 283 design to accommodate a crank shaft with larger counterweights.

From 1967 to 1969, the 302 was produced, although it was probably developed just so Chevrolet had an engine size eligible for TransAm racing. In 1967, it was produced with the small journal crank and in 19681969, with the big journal crank. The year 1967 also saw the introduction of the 350cia engine. This now classic configuration utilized a 4.000in bore with a 3.480in stroke, and has probably become the most common engine size. Along with the introduction of the 350 came the standardization on the big main journals.

In the 1968 model year when the 350 was introduced, blocks moved into the big journal crankshaft era and the 327 was produced both in small and big journal size. This means if you have a 327 big journal crank, you can make a 327 engine out of a 350. Later 327s from 19681969, when the engine was dropped, had bigger main bearing journals than earlier engines. In 1968, the 307cia engine was introduced as a kind of economy engine. It had the 3.875in bore of the 283 and used a cast crank with the 3.250in stroke of the 327 and was produced up to 1973.

The next major milestone in terms of performance was the introduction in 1970 of the 400cia block. This deviated from the standard format in many respects. First, it used a nominal 4.125in bore, as opposed to the 4.000in bore that had become the norm. To achieve the 4.125in bore, some internal casting core changes were necessary. The most obvious external change was the use of three freeze plugs in the side of the block. To accommodate this larger bore size, the bores were siamesed; there was no water between the cylinder bores because the barrels joined in the water jacket. In contrast, all other blocks have water completely surrounding each cylinder bore. Along with this change in the bore size, the 400 motor was equipped with a 3.750in stroke cast crankshaft. To get this bore & stroke combination within the confines of the standard 9.025in crankshaft center to block deck height it was necessary to shorten rod length if the stock piston ring package was to be retained. The standard 5.70in rod was then shortened to 5.56in.

In 1975, the 262cia engine was introduced with a 3.671in bore and a 3.100in stroke. It was intended as a low output economy engine but obviously did not prove popular as it was produced for only one year.

In 1976, the 305cia engine was introduced, which must be the most plentiful engine in existence, next to the 350. Built largely for emission and mileage reasons, this engine sports a 3.763in bore with the crankshaft stroke of the 350 at 3.480in. As of 1992, the 305 is still being produced and looks as if it will continue in production for some time.

In late 1979, a 267cia engine was introduced. This had a 3.500in bore along with the 3.480in stroke of the 350. Like the earlier 262, it was intended as an economy engine, both in terms of cost and fuel consumption. Again like the 262, it did not prove popular and was produced only through model year 1982.

As of 1983, only two displacements of small block were produced the 305 and 350. In 1986, a block design change was made concentrating on the rear main oil seal. Instead of having a split oil seal, the rear main bearing now used a full 360degas. one piece seal. Using this type of block usually requires using the relevant crank and flywheel, as a crankshaft design change was also made. If you have an early crank, Chevrolet has a special seal adaptor kit to convert 1986 and the late block to accept pre 1986 cranks.

A hydraulic roller version of this new block was also introduced at about the same time. The roller follower assembly is not interchangeable with later blocks. Unlike after market rollers that are prevented from rotating by linking them in pairs, the General Motors roller setup has special slotted plates that locate lifters and keep the rollers aligned with the cam lobe. 

SBC Casting Numbers

SBC Head Casting Numbers

SBC Crank Casting Numbers

Intake Casting Numbers

Small blocks and HP recommendations

This is according to several sources, none which completely agree, so I used the lower values from several sources and rounded down to be safe... Then I used General Motors specs I hope you gents enjoy the specifications.

2-bolt blocks with OEM main bolts are good to 400hp
2-bolt blocks with ARP main studs are good to 550hp ++High Nickel Blocks to 700hp
4-bolt blocks with OEM main bolts are good to 475hp
4-bolt blocks with ARP main studs are good to 700hp
OEM Blocks with Splayed 4-bolt main studs are good to over 950hp
Bowtie blocks with splayed 4-bolts main studs should handle over 1500+hp!

So essentially, a 2-bolt block w/ studs should handle anything a normally aspirated small block can produce. (assuming everything is in good shape and proper tolerances are closely followed)

Engine RPM plays even a larger factor in determining safe power limits for various block/cap combos.

OEM 2-bolt blocks are good to 6000 rpm.

2-bolts with ARP studs are good to 7000 rpm.

OEM 4-bolt blocks are good to 7200 rpm.

4-bolts with ARP studs are good up to 8500 rpm.

Bowtie or OEM 4-bolt Splayed Studs and cap are good for well over 8500 rpm.

-These figures were acquired from General Motors,

 and a couple local machine shops

It is a stated fact that a 250hp engine that was spinning at 7500rpm exerted more loading force

on the Main-caps than a 550hp engine spinning at only 5500 rpm.  This means power and RPM must be considered 

when selecting how much beef you need in your bottom end.

The HP figures are good references, but the RPM limit of the motor is a better way to choose your block 

to the John Whainwrite technical cheif engineer General Motors racing.

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