Editing The controversial Chevy small block engine

There was a time when the "mouse motor" was NOT frowned upon for being too common, but was revered as a legitimate contender. It was a time of creative combinations and creative thinkers. It was a time of strip cars, roundy round cars, sand rails and street rods all looking for that one little edge to pull ahead of their rivals.

Now in the hot rod world, the reliable little chevy appears to be  something of a victim of its own success. They seem to be everywhere and thus are not very unique, or are they??

What many seem to be missing is that the CSB has become the options engine. The true beauty of a CSB for those in the know is their versatility. A good mechanic can start with an ordinary 350 block and build a variety of motors from the high winding 302 up to the ground pounding 383 stroker with many, many particular variables FOR EACH OF THEM. And it doesnt stop there. There are also seveal options above, beneath, and between those displacements mentioned.

It all started back in 1955 with the 265. At that time the flathead ford was "king of the street" and With all major Auto Manufactures except Chevrolet and Pontiac,producing V8's, Chevy had to jump in the game with an entirely new design. The majority of its state of the art design can still be found on motors everywhere.

That little 265 has now morphed into the greatest selling internal combustion engine of all time. Over 90,000,000 strong with the venerable 350 counting for a considerable portion of that. Is this a bad thing?? You be the judge.

The truth is that the "controversial" CSB doesnt have to be boring at all. They have more "unique" opotions than any other engine on the planet and it is in fact one of the greatest success stories of all time.

There are fuel injected, carbureted, throttle bodie options with a plethora of aftermarket goodies available to make the rod builder feel like a kid in a candy store. Heads, camshafts, pistons, lifters, all with options abounding. And isnt that what hot rodding is all about? Using options to make your ride "your" ride, to make it "unique"!!

So go ahead, pick up that boring 350 block for a song and then let the creative juices flow. And when you see one in someone elses ride, dont make the mistake of assuming it is just another boring chevy. Their reply might make you feel pretty silly.