Im always trying to start a new project and work on something to keep busy. So what im doing is im going to build an engine. Its going to be my first, and i have a lot of studying to do, but im going to make a website and update it with my progress. My first leap here is im going to buy a bare block. My question now is what is the differance in: long block, short block, big block and small block. Ive heard from a few friends, but none sounded confident on what they were talking about. Im looking at building up a 302. I was looking at some that were bored .030 over, giving me a 306. At the end this will either be put into a fox body mustang (one of my dream cars) or in my 92 explorer. THanks for any time and effor you guys can give me.

-Justin

Well short block and long block are easy enough. A short block is the block with the rotating assembly in it and no heads. A long block is the block with a rotating assembly and with the heads (sometimes cam and lower too). So when you hear about a 302 short block or a 302 long block, they are not different blocks.

Big block and small block are different size blocks. 289, 302, 351 are all small blocks.

To start learning about Ford engines, buy a book called Ford Performance. The one I'm referring to has a yellow background cover color, and four pictures of the pushrod engines. It had a cover price of about $9.95, and was published around 1980. It can teach you just about all of the basics, including specifications.
Regards,
DonW