Are big blocks becomming rare now a days?

[80stepsideguy]

The reason i ask this is because i know the fuel prices are ridiculous and not many are gonna want to build a big block i got a 68 396 shortblock under my work bench and a 72 402 block under there as well, and i got a set of heads as well that are oval ports and are a good set that need cleaning.I also got a set of a/c brackets.I dont wanna post this in the for sale forum caue i dont know if its worth keeping or should i sell it all? I was told big blocks like a 396 or a 402 are becomming scarce. I know a 402 is a 396 bored .030 from the factory but is it worth holding onto or is it time to sell it all? I got a guy in my local paper that is looking for anything in big blocks and vintage small blocks and parts. our input is appreciated and if i get a good input on this it`ll help me decide, there not in my way at all but you get the idea.

thanks
pat
p.s. i got my 350 on the stand i am really considering turning it to a 383

[ccz145a]

It's funny we should be talking about mileage. A 350 without fuel injection only got 2 to 3 more mpg in the BB trucks. But, yea, I would hold on to that stuff. It's sure not getting easier to find. I know it's out there somewhere, but I have not found any used BB parts laying around my local junk yard or advertised in the paper. BTW, I got about 15mpg with a 396 in a '79 Bonanza 1/2 ton (I think it originally came out of a '68 Chevelle).

[Stewart G Griffin]

This is truly the "make-it-or-break-it" time for not only the big block, but for all v-8 engines.

i don't think the v-8, especially the original chevy small block, is going to go completely away.  Even though it doesn't make much sense for daily driving.

By the same token, i feel that the current "hysteria" regarding gas prices is mostly pyschological;  When has gas ever been cheap?  i personally don't remember gas ever being "cheap."  i remember the around-the-block lines in 79.

How much does a gallon a milk cost?

Unless all you eat is ramen noodles and water (and i don't think this is physically possible), then it still costs more to feed yourself than your car (under normal commuting--300 miles per week and you don't drive anything larger than a fullsize car, i.e., crown vic/impala).

[Stewart G Griffin]

P.S.  further reasoning behind the psychological theory:

When i first filled up my cavalier, it cost $11-12 dollars and i was making around $200-250 per week.

Now it costs approx. $45 and i make about $1000-$1200 per week.  And everyone else makes more compared to 1988.

Big whoop!

[Lt.Del]

When i first filled up my cavalier, it cost $11-12 dollars and i was making around $200-250 per week.

my first car (68 mustang) cost me about $16 to fill up when I was a young lad--I was making about $80 a week as a teenager--I had no other financial responsibilities. Now, my suburban costs me $130 to fill up and I have more financial responsibilites now than ever--mortgage, insurance (home, auto,life), son's tuition--prepaid plan, food, day care, projects around the house, books (i have to have my books), taxes, oh, and more taxes, etc..

The moral of this story is gas is an expense that must be paid, however, it is taking more of a slice of my paycheck--one slice of many---and each of those many slices gets larger and larger, and more numerous....something's gotta give, and it isn't my books.

Anyway, I have a sheriff's car i drive everyday, free 

[ccz145a]

something's gotta give

we need a bigger pie. lol

[dumbucket1]

not everyone makes $1000 a week. In my area the norm is $300 to $400 a week

[Stewart G Griffin]

Well true, but i figure anyone earning in the $300-400 range probably isn't doing any serious commuting or doesn't have a car?   For example, hitching/"bumming" rides, taking the bus etc.?  Even when gas was "supposedly" cheap, this was going on for people in entry-level positions.  i certainly did it.

But to answer the original question, it appears that the prices of big-blocks and big-blocked vehicles are coming down;  Look at the 1-tons in craigslist or classified section.  Even the big-block cars at Barrett-Jackson aren't doing as well as before.  But this may have something to do with the economy.

[gerardo0367]

Hey I found a guy near me who has 2 big Blocks they are rebuildable cores (tins and all) think of getting one for my 79 K5 or my 2wd truck or i might get both of them   

[80stepsideguy]

Hey I found a guy near me who has 2 big Blocks they are rebuildable cores (tins and all) think of getting one for my 79 K5 or my 2wd truck or i might get both of them   

Get em both and put 1 away incase the 1st big block is to slow for ya  

thanks
pat

[Hank Hill]

Not just big blocks but trucks period old and new, gas or diesel are down big time in price in my area. Course im in Canada and our gas is moreexpensive than yours.

[Stewart G Griffin]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4199067.html


Also,
http://www.whygasengines.com/

So like i've stated before, big blocks make absolutely no sense unless you have, say, a landscaping company and you're right in the middle of town.  Or if you're delivering drugs;  Then it doesn't matter what you're driving.

Now, yes, i have become recently attracted to the GMC 637 which i've just found out about;  i'm suprised no-one has ever mentioned this engine.  But that's different because it would not be my daily driver.  So it's ok.

So for racing and/or street rodding purposes, no, the big block will never completely disappear.

[80stepsideguy]

Stewart i understand your point , what i was referring to is like 396,402,427s since you dont ever see alot of them in junkyards anymore or for sale .

thanks
pat

[eventhorizon66]

Yes I would say that good cores for those engines are getting rare because the good ones get scooped up by muscle car restorers.  But why worry about those when the plentiful 454 is the superior choice anyways?

[Stewart G Griffin]

Ok, i was wrong----a gallon of milk is now cheaper, much cheaper than a gallon of gas.  At least at Costco---$2.75.  That being stated, i still feel it is more expensive to feed a human/yourself per week then it is to fillup a subcompact to midsize car for one week of normal driving---about 300 miles per week.
Incidentally, Costco gas is usually .10 cheaper than "on the street."

i don't feel it is time to panic just yet;  i feel that it is still mostly a psychological "shock" that we need to get used to----$4 per gallon doesn't "feel" right.  But, in actuallity, i would bet that gas prices are still only about 5% of most peoples yearly gross pay---the way it's usually been.

2) Apparently, GM does not feel the same way;  They have just annouced the closing of 4 light duty truck plants.  And proposing the sale of Hummer.

3) Hyundai  will not release it's previous planned fullsize pickup.

That all being stated, i still feel a big-block with the right compression--10:1 or higher, with the right exhaust and gearing could get 20mpg even in a fullsize truck.  i'm thinking the 67-72 series due to the lighter weight?