Big block and small block I got.. But what's the difference in a short block and a long block?

Obviously, one's longer. heh. But what difference would that make performance wise?

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89 iroc-z 305 tbi
everything stock, except for a mirror that fell off

 

Actually, one isn't longer.

A shortblock is an engine, but just the rotating assembly, the block, crank, rods, pistons, cam.

A longblock has heads and may or may not have an intake.

 

The terms long block and short block refer to how much of engine you are working with, replacing or repairing.

Long block: Includes the bottom and the top of the engine, meaning the heads and the main block. When you buy a long block you usually only have to change the sheet metal, intake manifold water pump etc.

Short block: Includes only the bottom of the engine (no heads). If you buy a short block you’ll have to supply your own heads as part of the engine rebuild.

If all you want to do is put in a new stock engine go with the long block. If you want to use special high performance heads or rebuild the old ones get the short block.