How much on average does a big/small block weigh?

[lemming303]

I'm looking at the weight differences between them. Just curious. 340 versus 44 block, iron heads, aluminum intake, headers, single 4 barrel carb, etc... thanks for the info.

[Chryco Psycho]

550 small block to 675 big block depending what parts are ojn it , cast exhaust & intake manifolds ec

[lemming303]

Wow I thought BBs were heavier than that. I don't have any experience with them though, just the 340 in my car and a ford 289 in my cousins car, which is an incredibly light block.

[ksierens]

There no replacement for displacement! 

[Changin Gears]

Wow I thought BBs were heavier than that. I don't have any experience with them though, just the 340 in my car and a ford 289 in my cousins car, which is an incredibly light block.

That Ford has 1.25" lower block height than the Chrysler, make for a small "small block".  Thats why you can put a 4" crank in the Chrysler and not have a bad rod ratio.

[71chally416]

TRUE... what was once the bugaboo of the Chrysler small block is now one of it's best features. The tall deck height. A 500 cube modern ProStock Hemi has a shorter deck height than a 340/360 and 6" rods.....   

[lemming303]

Yeah, the longest stroke we could find for that 289 was only 3.47".

The reason I was asking about weight is because if it turns out my block is no good then I'm trying to decide to go with another small block or go ahead and get a 440. I'm trying to weigh my options. I know the 440 has great torque and can make awesome power but I don't know if I want to add that much weight, considering I want to run mechanical steering.

[71chally416]

It's hard to do better than a healthy 340 with a 2.74 low geared 904 and 8 3/4 rear for a hobby car for the money spent. If you don't burden the motor down with power steering, all the better. The low gear will launch the car without smoking the tires with a stock convertor and top end HP is not something a healthy 340 lacks.

[Carlwalski]

The general rule of thumb: A small block weighs 100lbs less than a big block.
A big block weighs 100lbs less than a Hemi. Apparently still a true ROT today.

[Aussie Challenger]

  If you want good lazy power on tap there is no substitute for C.I.      however you do sacrifice handling with the big block. If you are just building a good performing street car for cruising the choice is yours, but you might want to consider a 360, parts are very cheap and anything you do to a 340 you can do to a 360.   
  The 340's are getting hard to find and expensive and if you have a matching # block you can save it in your garage in case you want to go that way in the future.   

[71chally416]

  If you want good lazy power on tap there is no substitute for C.I.    

Actually there is. A small block with a stroker crank. 

[Aussie Challenger]

 

Actually there is. A small block with a stroker crank. 

  Thats what I said,     a stroker adds C.I's, makes a small block a big block inside but it comes at a price.   

[lemming303]

I didn't know that hemi's were that heavy. About 360's, I thought they used the same heads amd cams, just different crank mains. I know the 360 will only stroke to 408 and the 340 will stroke to 416, but I don't think that makes much difference. The 340 block I have is not a matching block. The car was a 318 originally, at least that what the vin says. I'm not keeping this a stock car anyway. I'm building it to drive around but also race. I want to get as much power as I can out the engine without juice or forced induction. I don't think I would like the 440's weight without having power steering.

[nivvy]

Actually there is. A small block with a stroker crank. 

okay then:

The difference between men and boys is by the size of their cubic inches 

[71chally416]

About 360's, I thought they used the same heads amd cams, just different crank mains. I know the 360 will only stroke to 408 and the 340 will stroke to 416, but I don't think that makes much difference.

You are correct. If I had a choice though I'd go with the 340. It revs more freely than the 360. Of course a big 416 aces both but it's much harder to hook up on the street and aftermarket heads or ported stockers are mandatory. What's your budget?