Stocker block SBC

[Alan Roehrich]

Yep, save yourself time and money, go Dart, and don't look back. By the time you do what you want to a 30 year old block that wasn't great to begin with, you can buy a near finished Dart that will last years. And the Dart will make HP. Find a Dart dealer and get them to order it for you like you want it.

[Geerhead55]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

Yep, save yourself time and money, go Dart, and don't look back. By the time you do what you want to a 30 year old block that wasn't great to begin with, you can buy a near finished Dart that will last years. And the Dart will make HP. Find a Dart dealer and get them to order it for you like you want it.

Alan,,,assuming there are no stupid questions,,I'm going to fire this one off.
When it comes to Dart blocks for a small block Chevy, I know there is the SHP block
and the "Lil M" block. Are either of these blocks acceptable for Stock by NHRA, or is there another Dart block that is approved that I'm unaware of? I've also heard the SHP block takes a different, longer lifter as compared to the others, correct?
Thanks for your input as always.
Danny Durham

[Jeff Lee]

To answer the basic question, yes...you can run any year block as long as it's the same family. The original size of the block (262, 265, 283, 327, 350) is of no concern to tech. Just bore / stroke and technically lifter bore diameter and deck height (which is primarily dictated by the NHRA spec stroke, rod length and compression height and deck clearance).
That is why you see 454 blocks sleeved down to a 396 bore. It's all good.
And while I have never raced a class car with an aftermarket block, I would if one were available. There are MANY advantages as mentioned below. The cost is negligible compared to what you get.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Geerhead55

Alan,,,assuming there are no stupid questions,,I'm going to fire this one off.
When it comes to Dart blocks for a small block Chevy, I know there is the SHP block
and the "Lil M" block. Are either of these blocks acceptable for Stock by NHRA, or is there another Dart block that is approved that I'm unaware of? I've also heard the SHP block takes a different, longer lifter as compared to the others, correct?
Thanks for your input as always.
Danny Durham

Danny, the Little M Sportsman block and the 31161111 SHP are the two accepted Dart blocks.

Some Dart blocks do require a taller lifter if you are using roller lifters, as the lifter bosses are taller. The SHP block is listed as having the necessary dimensions and bosses to use OEM roller lifters and camshafts.

I've used and sold both. The biggest thing is knowing how to hone them. You also often have to kiss both the lifter bores and the main bores to suit your needs.

[Greg Reimer 7376]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

Danny, the Little M Sportsman block and the 31161111 SHP are the two accepted Dart blocks.

Some Dart blocks do require a taller lifter if you are using roller lifters, as the lifter bosses are taller. The SHP block is listed as having the necessary dimensions and bosses to use OEM roller lifters and camshafts.

I've used and sold both. The biggest thing is knowing how to hone them. You also often have to kiss both the lifter bores and the main bores to suit your needs.

I gotta question. Will the 31161111SHP blocks legal with a 327?While a 327 and a 350 share bore sizes and almost everything else,the 327's were all 2 bolt main.Also, do these come with bushed lifter bores? The crank I use is the large journal steel forging. I have a few of these, so that's not a problem. Just thought I'd ask.

[John Leichtamer Jr]

Did NHRA change the rules about using a 4-bolt main sleeved block down to 305????

Hammer

[Bill Bogues]

I'm running a Dart Little m block in my sbc stocker. While it's certianly beefy enough I really think it's a little on the "overkill' side for a stocker; especially an automatic car. My block weighed 217lbs bare; which is 20lbs over my filled chevy block. Just something to think about when you're scaling your car.

[Alan Roehrich]

I'd tend to agree with Bill that the Little M is over kill for a stocker, especially when you consider cost. I would not, however, use the Dart fasteners for the main caps in either case, Little M or SHP, I'd switch to ARP studs, and align hone the block. Not sure exactly what the weight difference is between the Little M and the SHP.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Greg Reimer 7376

I gotta question. Will the 31161111SHP blocks legal with a 327?While a 327 and a 350 share bore sizes and almost everything else,the 327's were all 2 bolt main.Also, do these come with bushed lifter bores? The crank I use is the large journal steel forging. I have a few of these, so that's not a problem. Just thought I'd ask.

Greg, according to what I've read, what I was told by NHRA, and what Dart told me (I buy direct), that SHP block IS legal for all of the small block Chevy V8 combinations. No, they do not come with bushed lifter bores, they are however CNC machined for location, so it is not necessary to bush them to correct the lifter location.

[carl hinkson]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

Greg, according to what I've read, what I was told by NHRA, and what Dart told me (I buy direct), that SHP block IS legal for all of the small block Chevy V8 combinations. No, they do not come with bushed lifter bores, they are however CNC machined for location, so it is not necessary to bush them to correct the lifter location.

We CNC machine all our blocks and we also have the ability to probe the lifters bores for locations and we have not found any problmes with the ones we have checked!!