SUNDAY AT LAST. hi there. i'm thinking about putting out the cash for one of these; the Dart Little M Sportsman 4.00'' bore iron block -OR- the new Dart SHP 4.00'' bore iron block, which is relatively cheaper and may well be better fit what i'm going for. i'm just wanting a fresh, no hassle block. a solid foundation for a mild, drive anytime/anywhere cruiser. reliable. going in a '55 nomad. so.. anyone have any experience with either of these particular Dart blocks? or even just Dart in general? good people? quality product? thanks in advance friends..
Dart blocks are a really nice piece. I used the Dart little M block for my T coupe 671 blower 8x2s. Really good people at Dart and a Awesome product. The blocks have a good oiling system. I have machined every type of block Dart has to offer from Honda to their bad ass Billet block for Pro Mods and its all top notch. Good Luck -E.C.
Little M's are great blocks, never had an issue with them in roundy round builds. In a street cruiser/driver application you'll be laughing.
thanks for the feedback E.C. ..i do understand their oiling systems work very well, which is great. but, i'm curious what have they done to improve?
There is a very good article in this months Hot Rod about teh new Dart street block, sound like exactly what you are looking for.. -Abone.
thank you Abone! just had a little google search after you gave me that useful info. read up on the facts. should've just done this in the first place.. anyway, you are absolutley correct, i'm now pretty much sold on the Dart SHP block. the SHP retains the first-gen small blocks original dimensions and can be used with, well, first-gen stock components. has the improved oiling system, and it's 30lbs lighter then the Little M. and, of course, CHEAPER. now that i'm learning more about these Darts, the Little M would've been a bit of overkill for what i'm trying to achieve. sorry for not searching on my own.. it's sunday, dammit! haha but thank you, guys
Some might say not very traditional. But isn't big power always in style? It really doesn't get any better than Dart stuff.
Just a few words of warning, check everything very carefully. Have a friend whose engine builder did not check main the main size carefully and lost a high dollar crank because of it. The mains grew smaller from back to front. It is the only one that I have heard of that was that way. The builder should have caught it but didn't. Needless to say he has changed builders but sill uses little m blocks.
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