When I was reading the facotry specs on my 1974 vette, it said (if I'm not mistaken) that it had installed a 350 Big Block. When I showed pictures to my friends (bragged) they told me that anything less than 400 CI was considered a small block? Who is correct? Am I wrong and the engine is indeed a 350 CI Small block?

 

Hi Nick, factory small blocks were built with these c.i.'s, 265,283,302,305,307,327,350,400. The big blocks were 348,396,402,427,454. So you can see the displacement doesn't necessarily mean small or big block. In 1974 the factory offered the 350 or 454, send us a photo and we'll tell you what you have.

 

Actually, just look at the exhaust manifolds. If the 2 center ports are close together, it's a small block. Ifall 4 are evenly spaced, it's a big block.

 

Hey Nick,
Another way to find out what you have is by checking the casting numbers located on the block behind the driver side cylinder head. If you have a 3999289 cast number... big block. If it is a 3970010, it is a small block. Both of these numbers are actually cast in the mold, not stamped. Maybe this will help.
Later,
Wedge
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thanks for all of the tips

 

Another clue is that small blocks have four mounting hole valve covers and big blocks have more (7 or 8 I think).

 

.....and the valvecovers are a lot wider, about oh,....6 inches or so. SB's valve covers are only about 4 inches wide.
So Nick, ya got it figured out?
Took me a while, before I caught on.
That was a long time ago now, but hey, we all had to learn some how.

 

well, I still havent gone home yet to check but here is a picture-

https://www.corvetteforums.com/album...g330060684.jpg

 

Nice ride! Looks very clean. [sm=icon_rock.gif]
Just from the valve covers, I say Small Block. I can't see the exhaust mans, but ya, she's a Small Block.
Hurry home, she's gettin' lonely!

 

I can't bring up the image on my computer but if Starship says it's a small block then it's a small block. Don't be ashamed in front of your friends, you can make magic from even the lowliest of small block Chevrolet's.