whats the differance?

[ForTiLLiaN]

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

 

[section525]

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.

 

[CDW6212R]

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