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Small block in early B bodies

ir3333

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Always been an A body guy but thinking of going early B body.
How does a warm sm blk perform in an early B body?There should be some weight savings
along with improved handling,braking and maybe mileage?
 
Having had both....

The small block handles a little better. It’s not a huge thing.
The big block out powers the small block. And it’s huge.
The weight savings is a minor issue. Noticeable but not a big deal. I guess a slew of things would add up.
 
A modern 6.1 or 6.4 is the ultimate in weight reduction, mileage and reliable power.

A friend has a 417" (based on 340) in a Dart, though, with cast iron W2 heads. Full steel, full interior and runs 10.60's on pump gas. Makes similar power to my 505 but in a package that weighs 3-400 lbs. less.
 
A guy around here has a 65 Belvedere with a 273. He put a Paxton supercharger on it. Neat package.
 
Small block, big block, late block... No matter which way, you can't go wrong in an early b body
 
My son had a decent non stroker 340 Duster. 11.90 thru the mufflers. He sold the motor to a friend for his 70 Charger. It needed more gear but ran 12.0-12.1
Doug
 
That's impressive.
I think some 64 / 65 B bodies could be reasonably light with a 904 and sm. blk
 
The /6 weighs something like 40-50 lbs less than a SB V8? When I got my 66 Belvedere with /6, 904 and AC, it tipped the scales at 3370. It didn't take a whole lot of work to get it down to 2950 with the AC still on it.
 
That's impressive.
I think some 64 / 65 B bodies could be reasonably light with a 904 and sm. blk
I'm at 3,400 lbs. with a BB/727, complete interior, all steel car and adding 6pt. and subframe connectors.

Heater box delete, aluminum heads, water pump housing and intake and Wilwood front brakes help..
 
Truly the key is the overall weight.
My ‘79 Magnum is under 3700 as shipped. Now without exhaust manifolds, stock intake gone, all A/C gone, etc... It adds up.
 
my 360/408 1963 dodge Polara sedan (Phoenix) here in Oz best 12.5 @ 110.
Combo was in a 1970 dart with a 12.01 gives you an idea of performance loss over the two bodies

1963 dodge.jpg
 
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