Thread: to big block or small block

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The Big Block route is where I would go. They just seem to be more reliable and you don't have to wind them so much and so hard to get them to go fast. If it's track use then go with the big block, it will likely save you money even if the initial build costs you more. And, like Mike P said, those years of heads were just not up to the task of building power. So you would have to buy some anyway, plus the beefy parts to spin it up fast. Might as well either beef up what you have already done on the 390 or buy some good parts for it to do double duty. Problem with the 390 is that it only has a 4 inch bore and a 3.78 inch stroke. The smaller bore will be limiting its power potential more than a similarily built Ford 406, 427 which shared the stroke but had a larger bore. Like Phantasea427 said, get the 428 crank and you will have some more go, since it is .2 inches longer. Or like Tech, buy yourself a nice stroker kit. But IMO the smaller bore will eventually limit slightly you if you get some decent heads, (valve shrouding sucks) but then again....every engine has its limit, thats the fun of building these things. Good luck with it, and use every penny!