Ren...oops...Stimpy
Folks who comment about problems with big blocks are typically running small blocks.
Many assamples like mine: I have a big lumpy stinkin motor...big everything. I drive it everywhere I would drive my daily driver (well, I'm a little shy about heavy rain or snow)...including 100+ days in stop and go traffic. It stays at 80-90C. My
oil temps rarely get high enough to where they probably should be.
I rarely have had problems with the motor...the few times had more to do with my dumbassed choice of using a solid roller cam back in the early part of this century...and even that didn't cause a terminal illness.
Don't know where you're getting your info, but it simply does not match reality...builds obviously vary.
That being said, you don't need to justify using a small block by seeing problems with big blocks (or visa versa)...they are both wonderful means of moving these damn little cars forward.
I've often thought of a small block slabside with full weather gear (i usually think about it when I'm out in the rain), but not at the expense of the current tin can.
Yes...one of both would be mucho muy goodo.