The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop explanation of Short Block?

What exactly does Short Block mean? On occasion, I see that term loosely used or referenced.

Are these Stovebolt 6’s considered short blocks? Compared to what other engines that are defined as long blocks?

In a discussion recently with a fella that says that the GMC 270 and 302 engines are short blocks, but I didnt ask what that really means.

Short block
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_block

Long block
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_block

Harold

Without getting too technical, a short block is a Engine missing the intake manifold, carburetor, exhaust manifold, all accessories. A long block is usually a Engine with everything except carburetor and accessories.

The discussion you refer to was about the physical length of one engine versus another as in a GMC I-6 engine is physically longer than
a Chevy I-6.🛠

GMC 6 cyl. engines are about 3" longer than Chevy 216, 235, 261 etc. engines, however, about the same length as Chevy 194, 230, 250, 292 engines.

Ed

Learn something new everyday.

Sorry, Martin, but you're not using the term the way us "professionals" did, at least for the 60-something years I've paid the mortgage and fed my family by working on vehicles of all sorts. A "short block" is a rebuilt engine assembly less the cylinder head, water pump, and other accessories. It will usually include the timing cover, but not always. It definitely won't come with the other sheet metal such as a pushrod cover, oil pan, valve cover, etc., and it may or may not include the oil pump, depending on how the rebuilder's price schedule is set up. The sheet metal, water pump, cylinder head, and other accessories including intake and exhaust manifolds, get swapped from the take-out engine.

A "long block" is basically the same assembly as above, with the cylinder head(s) installed and torqued. Sheet metal, distributor, intake and exhaust manifolds and carburetor still get swapped from the take-out engine. A long block also usually includes a new or reconditioned oil pump, and the gaskets required to complete the assembly. As a general rule, a long block will also carry a longer warranty, since the rebuilder can enforce better quality control over the assembly of the engine. Quality rebuilders also install "heat tabs" on the freeze plugs that fall off in case the engine gets overheated due to a bad radiator, water pump, etc. after it leaves the rebuilder's facility. Overheating, or any evidence of a dirty or incompetent installation voids the warranty instantly. I get called upon to inspect rebuilt engine failures pretty frequently, and in a lot of cases the cause of the failure can be attributed to a half-donkey installation!

Now, in about 5-4-3-2-1 seconds, some self-appointed "expert" who has read at least three Hot Rod magazines and rebuilt one engine 30 years ago will post a bunch of internet search links disputing my opinion.
LOL!
Jerry

Thanks Jerry for clearing that up. I stand corrected.

I have heard some people confuse the terms "short block" and "long block" with "small block" and "big block".

I don't disagree with Jerry often but short blocks can be rebuilt or new. I have installed a few new Chevrolet short blocks. Buick was interesting, when you got an engine from them it was complete with carb,dist,plugs and wires even had oil in it.

So, the short block from Buick had no head/heads, but it had a carburetor?
Installed, or, in a box?

We can add more confusion with the 396/427/454 car and pickup engines and compare them to the 366/427 tall deck motors.