Changing the spark plugs alone gives a thumbs up to the small block. Have those in favor of the big block offer to come over and change or pull a spark plug when you want to look at them. Especially when the engine is hot.
Changed mine many times. Unsure what the problem is? My 340 wasn't fun to change plugs when hot either, nothing really is. But to change them cold, my 440 is easy peasy.
