Is an FE a Big Block?

[pbf777]

All this gibberish is amazing. ............

    Yes, we're in complete agreement if you had just stopped here!   

    But O.K., we're having fun, right!   

    But then, I have to admit I've probably aided in this "gibberish" over the decades, as when a prior Chevy devotee had purchased a Ford product he knew little about, would come into our shop and in the course of the conversation, leading to nowhere, would ask: ............... "my car, it's got an FE in it (or something a rather), is that a small block or a big block?     Answer: ..............Yeah whatever!   

    Scott.

   

[mgreene]

This is from the factory Ford MuscleParts catalog from 1970 - note the words at the top, "Small Block Series," when referencing the 351C. So this refutes at least two previous statements : 1.) that Ford never used these terms and 2.) That the 351C is not a small block.

[FL SAAC]

This is from the factory Ford MuscleParts catalog from 1970 - note the words at the top, "Small Block Series," when referencing the 351C. So this refutes at least two previous statements : 1.) that Ford never used these terms and 2.) That the 351C is not a small block.

BIG plus ONE

[pbf777]

This is from the factory Ford MuscleParts catalog from 1970 - note the words at the top, "Small Block Series," when referencing the 351C. So this refutes at least two previous statements : 1.) that Ford never used these terms and 2.) That the 351C is not a small block.

      I think I sorta addressed the advertising angle on this matter, though more aligned at GM vs. Ford but still...............

    there may be instances of GM referencing such in advertising at later dates if only in it's efforts to be "hip" with the masses; and it just sorta drifted across the board to the other makers,     

     And that ad from Ford certainly looks like an effort to be "cool", but do note that they did properly reference this as the "335 Family" of engine offerings.   So call it what you will, but "Slang" vs. an accurate, technical definition, as assigned by Ford Motor Co. at the inception of an engine series is what it amounts to.   

     Maaaaaan...............this B.S. sure has some legs, we're 33 posts in, on page 3, on this subject; but we're havin' fun right! 

     Scott.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

This is from the factory Ford MuscleParts catalog from 1970 - note the words at the top, "Small Block Series," when referencing the 351C.

I'm glad that is settled I hate to think the Aussies were building a 302 inch big block.......
In November 1971, Ford of Australia began to manufacture the 301.6 cu in Cleveland engine at the Geelong engine plant alongside of the 351C. The engine remained in production until 1982 and was only produced in Australia. The 302C was considered an economy V8 and it is estimated that only ten percent of Australian Cleveland V8 production was the 302C.[1] The 302C was created by using the 351C block with a crankshaft that had a 3.0 in stroke while it shared the 2.75" main journal size of the 351C.

[crossboss]

This is from the factory Ford MuscleParts catalog from 1970 - note the words at the top, "Small Block Series," when referencing the 351C. So this refutes at least two previous statements : 1.) that Ford never used these terms and 2.) That the 351C is not a small block.

BIG plus ONE

More misinformation. Again, the Cleveland IS a small block. Heads interchange on any small block, heck it even was done at the factory on an engine called a Boss 302. motor mounts/trans bellhousing is small block. The Cleveland was the 'bastard' of the Ford line up. Unique block with the cast front cover ala Oldsmobile, oiling the same as the 385 series, an intake that ran dry (no coolent), and other oddities. That however, does not mean it is not a small block. Just an attempt by Ford to make 'another' engine to compete with GM and Mopar.

[mgreene]

This is from the factory Ford MuscleParts catalog from 1970 - note the words at the top, "Small Block Series," when referencing the 351C. So this refutes at least two previous statements : 1.) that Ford never used these terms and 2.) That the 351C is not a small block.

BIG plus ONE

More misinformation. Again, the Cleveland IS a small block. Heads interchange on any small block, heck it even was done at the factory on an engine called a Boss 302. motor mounts/trans bellhousing is small block. The Cleveland was the 'bastard' of the Ford line up. Unique block with the cast front cover ala Oldsmobile, oiling the same as the 385 series, an intake that ran dry (no coolent), and other oddities. That however, does not mean it is not a small block. Just an attempt by Ford to make 'another' engine to compete with GM and Mopar.

I think you misread my point _ I was pointing out that Ford actually DID call the 351C a small block.

[crossboss]

This is from the factory Ford MuscleParts catalog from 1970 - note the words at the top, "Small Block Series," when referencing the 351C. So this refutes at least two previous statements : 1.) that Ford never used these terms and 2.) That the 351C is not a small block.

BIG plus ONE

I think you misread my point _ I was pointing out that Ford actually DID call the 351C a small block.


More misinformation. Again, the Cleveland IS a small block. Heads interchange on any small block, heck it even was done at the factory on an engine called a Boss 302. motor mounts/trans bellhousing is small block. The Cleveland was the 'bastard' of the Ford line up. Unique block with the cast front cover ala Oldsmobile, oiling the same as the 385 series, an intake that ran dry (no coolent), and other oddities. That however, does not mean it is not a small block. Just an attempt by Ford to make 'another' engine to compete with GM and Mopar.

You are correct, my bad.

[FL SAAC]

This is from the factory Ford MuscleParts catalog from 1970 - note the words at the top, "Small Block Series," when referencing the 351C. So this refutes at least two previous statements : 1.) that Ford never used these terms and 2.) That the 351C is not a small block.

BIG plus ONE

I think you misread my point _ I was pointing out that Ford actually DID call the 351C a small block.


More misinformation. Again, the Cleveland IS a small block. Heads interchange on any small block, heck it even was done at the factory on an engine called a Boss 302. motor mounts/trans bellhousing is small block. The Cleveland was the 'bastard' of the Ford line up. Unique block with the cast front cover ala Oldsmobile, oiling the same as the 385 series, an intake that ran dry (no coolent), and other oddities. That however, does not mean it is not a small block. Just an attempt by Ford to make 'another' engine to compete with GM and Mopar.

You are correct, my bad.

LOL

[pbf777]

      This discussion here of the definition of a "Small-Block" vs. "Big-Block" (or other designation), is somewhat along the lines of the long time argument of what constitutes a true "Sports-Car", and then which vehicles absolutely are or are not such.  Although we all have our own impressions of what a 'proper' sports car might be, a truly finite and factual definition, with thought, proves somewhat more difficult; and as manufactures often did not actually defined specifically the their product was a "Sports-Car", even if it obviously fit the bill, but though at times participated in the promotion as such.   

      And my intention is not to redirect this thread to S.C.'s, just presenting for thought the comparison.      

      And what the heck, ...................just keep the ball rolling!   

      Scott.

[FL SAAC]

9

      This discussion here of the definition of a "Small-Block" vs. "Big-Block" (or other designation), is somewhat along the lines of the long time argument of what constitutes a true "Sports-Car", and then which vehicles absolutely are or are not such.  Although we all have our own impressions of what a 'proper' sports car might be, a truly finite and factual definition, with thought, proves somewhat more difficult; and as manufactures often did not actually defined specifically the their product was a "Sports-Car", even if it obviously fit the bill, but though at times participated in the promotion as such.   

      And my intention is not to redirect this thread to S.C.'s, just presenting for thought the comparison.      

      And what the heck, ...................just keep the ball rolling!   

      Scott.

you really meant to say " the block rolling "

[pbf777]

you really meant to say " the block rolling "

     Yes, I yield to your better choice of wording here; besides, with a little more effort, maybe we'll make it to 4 pages of this amazing "gibberish"!   

     Scott.

     P.S.: Somebody better inject some relevant key wording incorporating "Shelby", "Cobra", etc. or this thread is liable to be "officially" labeled as an unappreciated "gibberish"!