I'm curious on what kind of block "long/short" I have in my 98 GMC Sierra it has the 305 vortec in it an I'm lookin to go with a carberated 383 stroker what kind of block to replace it?

Asked by Zraines Jul 17, 2015 at 11:00 PM about the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 K1500 SL 4WD Extended Cab SB

Question type: Car Customization

6 Answers

740

Long block and short block is not a type boys.. a short block assembly just means a bottom end sometimes no cam shafts even.. a long block simply means assembled with cylinder heads.. Type well you have a small block Chevy

1 people found this helpful.
157,015

Long block is with cylinder heads, short block is with full bottom end (crank, rods, pistons, bearings, timing gears chain and camshaft). Complete engine has more parts on it than a long block.

740

Thanks for the info.. cause I don't know anything.. I'm glad this site is full of such gifted little mechanics.. lmfao I've only been fixing cars for 16 years.. but I'm glad someone's more technical than me..

740

I usually build them so I'm not up to speed on ordering a short block assembly.. lol

335

One other thing to consider. A 400 small block is the only Chevy small block that is externally balanced. The harmonic balancer, crankshaft, and flywheel (flex plate) are all balanced as a unit. But many aftermarket kits are internally balanced like a typical 350. You will want to know this so you have the proper parts rounded up when you put this engine together. Also, a 400 small block came with shorter rods than a 350 so make sure your kit comes with longer rods if you intend to rev the engine above around 5,000 r.p.m.'s. Otherwise piston skirts like to crack because of the stress the short rods cause. It's best to get all the parts at one source as a kit. That 383 is really just a 350 bored thirty over with a 400 crank dropped in. If you really do use a genuine 400 crank the main bearings are larger than a 350, so a machine shop will need to fix that for you. Also, plan on a long block, because the small valves in those 305 heads will be so restrictive you will never make any power. Hope this works out for you.

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