Do you consider a Pontiac engine to be small or big block.?

Question

I just call them pontiacs. Niether small nor big block. but I wannna know the general opionion since the car hobby seems to revolve around the SB 350 and BB 454.

This is refering to the old ponchos 326-389-400-421-428-455

Answer 1

The engines you are talking about are not called small or big block. They are all based on the same block. Just different bore and stroke. Even the Pontiac 4 cylinder of the early 60's was based on this block.

Answer 2

That would depend on the engine. Pontiac used to track pretty close to Chevy. So, the equivalent of the Chevy 283, the 305, the 327, and the 350 were usually considered small blocks. The equivalent of the 396, the 427, and the 454 were big blocks. None of those are around any more, by the way, at least not in new production vehicles.

A lot of cars used to be able to be built with either the small-block or big-block. The main difference in dimensions was the length of the big-block. That's why on older Firebirds, for example, you'll see a lot of space between the engine and radiator if you have the small-block engine.

Answer 3

The differentiation comes from General Motors. GM's 327 and the later 350 were considered small block V8s and everything larger was a big block. The 327 and the 350 shared the same casting as I recall.

Answer 4

Pontiac makes a 455 supper dual as in the TA in Smokey and the Bandit. thats no small block!

Answer 5

The term small/big block refers to the block design, not displacement. You could have a 396 big block, or a 400 small block. Small blocks can be taken up to 440 cubic inches.

Answer 6

it all really depends on the year. motors went to the small block in the 70's to conserve gas except for the 454's.

Answer 7

if it,s under a certain cubic inch it is considered a small block,,and if it is over ,,we usually call them big block,s this changes on certain engine,s though,,but you are right,,these are the engines most wanted when doing a hobby car,,hope this help,s.