Why is the BBF underrated??

Was talking to a local engine builder, who builds a lot of chevys anf SBF's this AM and he started telling me that I was pushing the limits of my factory 460 block with my motor that's making 640 horsepower....and that if i put main girdle in it might live longer, but it would still split down the middle sooner than later. Had to chuckle at that.    Seems like a lot of folks that don't know, share the same opinion, why is the BBF underrated by many?

pick another engine builder   


same thing i have local as well .....they all think you need 4 bolt mains and the distributer need to be in the rear lol

5pointslow wrote:pick another engine builder   


same thing i have local as well .....they all think you need 4 bolt mains and the distributor needs to be in the rear lol

YES ... it is simply because some builders have no clue about the Big Block Ford and based upon other engines they are not gonna error on anything but, the safe side.

514F-1 maybe you should have gave him Jon's number LMAO!! its like anywhere you go if its not a chevy they just don't know or care, I have found a Ford machinist in FT.Myers that is spot on and has his own Ford collection of RACE cars, he is a little high but does GOOD work, I'm building a new engine now for the T-Bird and I'm very happy with the machine work.

5pointslow wrote:pick another engine builder   


same thing i have local as well .....they all think you need 4 bolt mains and the distributer need to be in the rear lol

Oh he doesn't build my motors....told me if I was making over 550 I needed an A460 block.  

514F-1 wrote:Was talking to a local engine builder, who builds a lot of chevys anf SBF's this AM and he started telling me that I was pushing the limits of my factory 460 block with my motor that's making 640 horsepower....and that if i put main girdle in it might live longer, but it would still split down the middle sooner than later.  Had to chuckle at that.    Seems like a lot of folks that don't know, share the same opinion, why is the BBF underrated by many?

Curious as to who? I'm here in Polk county.....

you can make 850hp with a 2bolt main stock block and be safe...

Tell that engine builder he is seriously confused   , it's the stock 5.0 roller block that will split down the middle when pushed to hard and too long.

yellowhorse7 wrote:

514F-1 wrote:Was talking to a local engine builder, who builds a lot of chevys anf SBF's this AM and he started telling me that I was pushing the limits of my factory 460 block with my motor that's making 640 horsepower....and that if i put main girdle in it might live longer, but it would still split down the middle sooner than later.  Had to chuckle at that.    Seems like a lot of folks that don't know, share the same opinion, why is the BBF underrated by many?

Curious as to who? I'm here in Polk county.....

x2 ????

Tell him to join in.We will edgecate him about the mighty BBF.  

Don't think he will be joining he's a GM guy who claims to know everything about all makes. He's from Dade City, build mostly round track stuff I think. Just thought you guys could relate to guys like this, not trying to single him out, many uninformed guys share his views.

I guess he doesn't mind cutting his business. The guy who did my machine work didn't have any experience on building BBF's to the level I wanted but he was willing to read and do anything that was suggested on this and the other forum. He had confidence in his abilities and in his tools.

bbf-falcon wrote:Tell him to join in.We will edgecate him about the mighty BBF.  

I honestly thought the BBF was only good for a fraction of what you guys are making with them.

Chebbies are overrated and Ford's are underrated.

Shhh, don't tell them so we can keep scooping them up for decent prices.

Them guys drove the prices of BBC to $1000-1500 for a running example. I don't know about you but I like still being able to buy a running low mileage 460 for $175-250.

bigblok2000ranger wrote:Shhh, don't tell them so we can keep scooping them up for decent prices.

Them guys drove the prices of BBC to $1000-1500 for a running example. I don't know about you but I like still being able to buy a running low mileage 460 for $175-250.

I heard this in Car Craft also it is cheaper to build a 500+ BBC then a stock block 496. Hope that never happens to the BBF.

Doug Rahn wrote:Tell that engine builder he is seriously confused   , it's the stock 5.0 roller block that will split down the middle when pushed to hard and too long.

Yup.  I can show you several examples of factory small blocks that were only held together by the intake and the oilpan...usually those with a hose.  The BBF is NOT a smallblock.

I have a good friend and Chevy racer who WILL NOT ARGUE when someone extolls the virtues of a BBF. We've raced a lot together. He has helped build them, has driven them, and his hat is off to them...but his blood is Chevy orange. Guys like the "engine builder" in the first post are obviously slow learners.

maverick wrote:

Doug Rahn wrote:Tell that engine builder he is seriously confused   , it's the stock 5.0 roller block that will split down the middle when pushed to hard and too long.

Yup.  I can show you several examples of factory small blocks that were only held together by the intake and the oilpan...usually those with a hose.  The BBF is NOT a smallblock.

I have a good friend and Chevy racer who WILL NOT ARGUE when someone extolls the virtues of a BBF.  We've raced a lot together.  He has helped build them, has driven them, and his hat is off to them...but his blood is Chevy orange.  Guys like the "engine builder" in the first post are obviously slow learners.

My blood is Chevrolet RED ... late 1950's Corvette engine red.  
I really like that color, LOL.

I will be the under dog any day of the week for the chevy guys..

You cant run fast with a stock block Ford. My stock block 514 only ran a best of 4.94 in the Probe. I probably should lean on it harder.  

valleydawg wrote:You cant run fast with a stock block Ford. My stock block 514 only ran a best of 4.94 in the Probe. I probably should lean on it harder.  

Better not do it without a main girdle!!  

valleydawg wrote:You cant run fast with a stock block Ford. My stock block 514 only ran a best of 4.94 in the Probe. I probably should lean on it harder.  

IMPRESSIVE!! What combo??