what is the best small block and why ?

Hard to argue with the reliability of the 340. My engine has been together with the supercharger on it since 1988, however with the economy being what it is I was going to build a 360 stroker engine. I ran into a buddy of mine at a car show and he told me that he had 2 340 blocks at his garage and if I wanted them all I had to do was come get them........well I guess the 340 build is back in the works but if I didn't have the 340 block it would be a 360 that I would be building on.