# Engine terminology? Big block/small block/short block/long block

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-terminology-big-block-small-block-short-block-long-block/75553>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [November 15, 2012, 6:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-terminology-big-block-small-block-short-block-long-block/75553 "2012-11-15T06:39:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-terminology-big-block-small-block-short-block-long-block/75553/21 "2012-11-18T01:35:38Z")

</div>

The bore center spacing is fixed for various blocks. The bigger the bore, the less room there is for the metal and coolant gap between the cylinders. The 400 cid Chevy small block bore is so large it had ‘Siamesed’ cylinder walls, with no gap between for coolant.

[Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-terminology-big-block-small-block-short-block-long-block/75553.md?page=1)