Big Inch Small Block

Yes, you must sonic check, but many 318s will safely take 4.000" and 340/early 360s will go 4.100" if they pass the test. If you are scared, go 4.030" and live with a 408/416." Aftermarket block is always best, especially for main webbing girth, but at a premium cost/availibility.

Its one thing for a production block to go 4.100, but it’s another for it to survive making good steam.

I’m not going to invest a bunch of money in good heads, machine work and rotating assembly, then take a chance on pi$$ing it all away with a production block failure.