newbie question

[jcnfh]

I started out in imports mainly hondas, so I know quite a bit about them. Now I am trying to learn more about domestics and chevys. One thing I am confused about is the labeling of cars as either "big-block" or "small block". I feel embaresed beacuse this is such a simple and stupid question, but I have never gotten a legitimate answer for it. For exaple today I read an article on the original Nova ss and it called a chevy 400 cubic inch motor a small block? What is the defining line here? Thanks for the help.

[jcnfh]

oh, also, what are some good sites/forums to learn about chevys and domestics in general?

[badfast]

The sizes of the actual block.One is way bigger than the other.But chevy made A 400 cid small block and A 400 cid big block.The small block's are A good strong motor and the bigblock is great for torque!!!! Hope this help's Alittle

[jonbravo27]

Like he said. The difference is the outer dimensions of the block itself. Not the displacement. The big block came stock in displacements of 396, 402, 427, and 454 in vehicles. There are other displacements available in crate motors. The 400 small block is a little different than other small blocks so that they could get the amount of bore they needed to get 400 cubes. A lot of early 70's cars came with a "400" it was either a 400 small block, or a 402 big-block. Chevy put 402's in cars starting in 1970 and called them 396. Ex. 1970 chevelle SS 396.