[Excaliber]

SO many ways to comment on the multiple questions. Perhaps we can start with engine 'series'. Like the small block WINDSOR family (series). Every manufactuer starts with a basic 'game plan' for his engine and that evolves over the years, it gets modified for various reasons. The Windsor series (SB) started in early 1960's as a NEW 221 cubic inch light weight V8. Which quickly grew to 260, then 289, 302 and finally 351W.

Chevy did the same thing with their NEW small block, in the mid 50's. It was a 265, then 283, 327, 350, 400, etc.

FE series (FORD ENGINE) started in the late 50's, so many no doubt I'll miss a few. BASICALLY, 331, 351, 390, 406, 427 and 428.

Then Ford dropped that line and started with the 385 series of engines, 429, 460.

Oh and don't forget Fords original mid 50's overhead valve V8, the Y block series, 272, 292, 312. Hopelessly outdated from day one, it was ALWAYS an over wieght low performance 'pig'.

So what makes a small block as opposed to a big block? It's more about crankshaft\block design than 'cubic inches'. The FE series motors have BIG cranks compared to the small block Windsor series of engines. A 351W can be bored and stroked to 427, but it's STILL fundamentally a 'small block' due to it's inherent design. While a 427 FE really is a 'big block'.

Chevy had a 400 cubic inch small block, based on the original mid 50's 265-283-327 block. But they ALSO had a 400 Big Block, which depending on the year, was referred to as a '396'. The small block 400 and the big block 400 have NOTHING in common.