SBC cylinder wall thicknesses?

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by STK4340

How about original Chevy II blocks, both 283 and 327? How do these fair in strength and cylinder wall thickness? I have been told that in years past before the introduction of the bowtie blocks, these were sought-after by racers.

The small journal 327 blocks were proned to splitting cylinders if you ran them at 060 over. You would be better off with a 4 bolt large journal block. I am not sure about the 283 stuff. I have a real early 1962 small journal block in my car now and it seems to be a good one. They are real hard to come by. Sonic checking was real popular before the bowtie blocks. It was a waste to do all of the machine and prep work on a production block then have it split a cylinder after 10 - 15 runs.