Hi, question,Is a 394 considered a big block.?

 

No ,
In general Olds terminology a " big block " is a 400,425, or 455 second generation engine .
And a " small block " is a 260, 307, 330 ,350, or 403 second generation engine .
A 394 is a first generation ( 1949 thru 1964 ) engine .

 

Is it accurate that there was only one V-8 block size during the 394 era, so no big or small block?

 

Just like second generation Old's just kept rising the deck height and making the holes bigger around. Lots of stuff got changed internally but basically it's just a blown up version of a 303..... Tedd

 

371s and 394s were raised-deck-height blocks.

 

That "small block/big block" is a term that originated with Chebby's in mid 60's. In the 59-60 "394 era" the 371/394 was it. The 1961 to 1963 "394 era" was the 215 cubic inch V-8 in the F-85/Cutlass line. 1964 "394 era" saw introduction of the new 330 cubic inch that was the basis for the 330/350/403..