
The Chevrolet big block may be the most recognized platform in the category. The overlapping timeline and similar naming of these two engines can be misleading, leading to costly mistakes for enthusiasts. Therefore, the 383 RB was created to fill in that gap. The Automotive History Preservation Society explains that when a Trenton assembly line was converted in the early 1960s to produce the new Chrysler 413 engines, the demand for the 383 B was too high for the remaining lines to handle. The RB has the opposite genetic makeup, with smaller pistons of 4.03 inches and a stroke of 3.75. Produced for a short while around the same time, however, was the 383 RB engine, a taller version of the B-engine. (That is in comparison to the 440’s 3.75.) Regardless of its under-appreciation by enthusiasts, the 383 B engine became a standard for Mopar, with over 2 million built. The 383 B is characterized by its large cylinder bore of 4.25 inches with a short stroke of 3.375. Typically, gearheads favor its beefier big brother, the 440. The 383 Chrysler B engine is known as the Mopar big block that nobody loves. But even he admits that “the 455 Olds, in the boating world, is what’s referred to as an ‘anchor’ because they just blow up. Roadkill host, Mike Finnegan, is tickled pink when he uncovers one in the bed of a ’74 Mazda REPU mini-truck. The legendary Rocket big block still has a loyal following and holds respect among the muscle car crowd. This condition can lead to instant death for a 455 that is run wide open for extended periods of time.” The narrow passages from the stock heads do not allow oil in the valvetrain to return to the pan in an efficient manner. As Hot Rod Network shares, “The 455’s Achilles’ heel is a poor oil return system. In fact, they’re notorious for blowing up. The problem is that they simply don’t hold up. Let’s get things rolling by taking a shot at a real contender. The Oldsmobile 455 is a legend in the automotive world and has been the heart of many iconic cars. Whether they are too costly to build, don’t make the necessary power, or are straight-up misleading, it’s time to pick on some big iron. Here, we’re going to break down some of the worst big blocks on the market. But some models were likely better off as boat anchors than power plants.


NEW 440 MOPAR ENGINE BLOCK CODE
There’s no replacement for displacement…unless that displacement is more trouble than it’s worth. Often, big block engines are like a cheat code for making power.
