Chevy Small Block FAQ
The Chevrolet small-block V8 is well known to many hot-rod enthusiasts and has been a mainstay of the Chevrolet division of General Motors since the 1950s. Many hot-rod enthusiasts argue that the small-block Chevrolet V8 engine is one of the greatest achievements of Chevrolet and possibly one of the greatest additions to the hot-rodding industry. Since its inception in the 1950s the small-block has been redesigned several times and continues to be an important part of the Chevrolet family of engines.
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Chevrolet Small-Block Origins
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The availability of a V8 engine in Chevrolet vehicles didn't occur until the 1950s; until that time the Chevrolet brand was only available with V6 engines. According to Mehlhoff, Chevrolet broke into the V8 market with the introduction of the 265 cubic inch small-block In 1955. Production of the 265 continued until the 1956 model year with Chevrolet introducing the 283 cubic inch small-block engine in 1957. This engine was a result of increasing the bore of the 265 cubic inch small-block from 3.750 inches to the 3.875 inch bore of small-block 283. The stroke of the 283 was the same as in the 265 at 3.00 inches. After the introduction of the small-block 265 and 283 in the 1950s Chevrolet went on to produce several other variations of the small-block V8 in the 1960s and 1970s. Each of these engines became instrumental in helping to build Chevrolet as a force in the automotive industry.
Further Introductions to the Small-Block Family
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Chevrolet continued to produce the 283 cubic inch small-block until 1967; however, Chevrolet also began production on several other variations of the Chevrolet small-block engine in addition to the 283. According to offroaders.com, Chevrolet began to produce the 327 cubic inch, 250 to 375 horsepower small-block in 1962 and the 350 cubic inch, 145 to 370 horsepower small-block in 1967. Production of the small-block 327 continued until 1969. In 1967 Chevrolet introduced the 302 cubic inch small-block that was rated at 290. The small-block 302 was a short lived engine with production ending in 1969. Chevrolet introduced the 307 cubic inch, 115 to 200 horsepower small-block in 1968 while continuing to improve the offerings of the small-block Product line into the next decade.
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Additions to the Chevy Small-Block Family in the 1970s
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The small-block 307 continued to be produced until 1973 and Chevrolet introduced the 400 cubic inch, 150 to 265 horsepower small-block in 1970. Following the introduction of the small-block 400, Chevrolet introduced the 262 cubic inch, 110 horsepower small-block in 1975 with production ending in 1976. According to offroaders.com the 305 cubic inch small-block was produced in 1976 with horsepower ranging from 130 and 250. According to Mehlhoff, modifications by hot-rod enthusiasts also created variations of the Chevrolet small-block with displacements of 365, 377, 383, and 406 cubic inches.
Longest Small-Block Production Run
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Of the various displacements of the Chevrolet small-block, the 350, 305, and 400 cubic inch versions of the engine have had the longest production run. According to offroaders.com, the Chevrolet small-block 400 enjoys third place with an 11 year production run that lasted from 1970 until 1981. The small-block 305 comes in second with a 16 year production run from 1976 to 1992. Of the small-block engines, the Chevrolet 350 is the most-widely known and used version and easily takes first place as the longest running production model of the Chevrolet small-block. The Chevrolet Small Block 350 was produced from 1967 until production ended in the U.S. in 2002; a production run of 25 years. The engine continues to be manufactured in Mexico and is produced by General Motors for use in the company's Goodwrench line of replacement engines.
Conclusion
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The Chevrolet small-block engine has had a significant impact on the hot-rod industry and on the success of the Chevrolet brand. According to Huffman the introduction of the small-block V8 could be the most important in Chevrolet's history. What cannot be argued is that Chevrolet's small-block engine is one of the most successful engines ever designed; both for the Chevrolet brand and for automotive racing and Hot Rod enthusiasts. According to Huffman the Chevrolet small-block has been used in virtually every form of motorized competition, from Sprint cars to race boats, and it continues to be the backbone of drag and stock car racing for most professional and amateur level competitors worldwide.
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