It is really a simple question, and believe me, the answer isn’t so complicated. The big block V8 engines are retired many years ago, they were produced in the 50s and 60s, but we are still listening about these muscle cars engines.

But what is the difference between a big block and small block? The first thing that came on your mind was the displacement, but are you sure, because we are not so certain.

So let’s clear it up, not always the displacement is the main factor which draws the line between the small block and the big block, so we pick up three main reasons to make the difference as clear as possible.

1. As you can see on the video visually, the big block is bigger, it’s obvious, so it’s a logical explanation: bigger displacement for bigger power, used more material in production which enlarges the cooling surface of the block, drinking more oil and more durability.
2. Let’s distinguish big from small (in our case, of course). The stroke is what defines the difference between them (stroke is the motion that pistons make in the cylinder). So the relationship is clear, short strokes would be in small blocks and long strokes would be in the big blocks.
3. Like in the human body, you might have a strong and healthy heart but if the head is wrong you don’t know how to use that power. The same is here, it doesn’t matter whether it’s big or small, what makes the difference is the head and the positions of the valves.

If you want to learn more about the difference and clear the three reasons we mentioned watch the video, it’s is explained in details.