[NHRABill]

just a side note the SBC Block itself is physically the same other then slight casting changes and slight bore. It is the stroke that makes the cubic inch difference. So placing a SBC 400 crank in a 350 and some minor clearance to the cylinder skirts you get the popular 383 ci version that GM never made but you hear about often, there are many other proven combos from power but that is not the point of the thread. The 262, 265, 283, 302, 305, 307, 327, 350 and the 400 I believe were all branded Chevrolet's Small block from the early 50's till the early 2000's where Then they rewrote the Book.

If you want a cheap aluminum version source a 82 Camaro pace car they had a alum 305 as part of the package

For what they were they were average in economy for their applications. Pretty good with he right fuel injection setup the TPI of the mid 80's vaulted them from mid teens in mpg to the mid 20's despite the air pump and the other emission controls they were saddled with.

But to your point those detuned 305's could crank out 300,000 miles like clockwork rock solid reliable. I appreciate something that can take so much punishment and keep going. The amount of applications it had is a testament to its strength too bad they never tried to improve its economy.