That engine could be totally trashed inside, with shards of metal floating around throughout the oil passage system. Even if the block is decent, the bearing blocks could be trashed, etc.

You can find LOTS of used SBC engine blocks close to you; and you can actually go SEE them and inspect them for potential problems BEFORE YOU BUY IT.

Forget eBay for this kind of purchase.

 

Unless I can get a guarantee on an engine (ie. rebuildable and no spun bearings/breakage) or buy from a reputable builder, I would only buy from someone with a good reputation on Craigslist. That said, I sure would like to find a good rebuildable 350-400ci small block to stick in the corner of my garage for the day when I want to start my next project.

 

Whats the process of inspecting a block?

 

Could I just use my l48. Resurface the head and clean oil passages. Then put top end on it? Bottom end of l48 should hold fine?

 

Absolutely!! If it is running well, does not show any metal or fine metallic flakes in the oil, and the cylinder bores will completely clean up with a re-bore NOT exceeding .060", there is no reason that you can't rebuild your L-48 block.

Even a 2-bolt main engine can handle 400 hp or more with no problem.

Remove it, disassemble it, take the block to an engine shop and have them inspect it, mag it for cracks and give you a quote on a rebuild to get the performance you want.

And, if you find that it has too much wear for a good rebuild, find another GOOD SBC block to use.

 

I know how to disassemble it too being a short block. They would do the disassemble and assembly of bottom end if I choose too do that. I was just gonna have them resurface the block and clean oil passages and not mess with bottom end.

 

That is messing with the bottom end.

 

To cut the surface were the heads go on?

They said they can diassemble and assemble it in 4 hours of labor. What all has to be done? I have no experience wwith machine shops

 

Why would you take it apart and put it back together just to surface the deck? Chances are it doesn't need surfaced unless it blew a head gasket.

 

Putting new heads on and gaskets and cam lol

Would I even need to take it too a machine shop if its working fine atm? Just strip top end off and put on new. Paint engine bay, do fuel pump, fuel line, and put engine back in?

 

No reason too.

 

go to a local car show and talk to some camaro and corvette guys. Guys with cars our age... Then ask them about a couple good machine shops in your area. then go talk to the machine shop and tell them you want to pull your motor and have it hopped up a little. You will need heads, but they can help you out with all of that stuff. It is gonna cost about 3000 bucks, but you will be able to set the motor back in the car and drive off. It will be great. I have never built a motor, but i have had a few built for me. this it the easy button. The other option is to buy a crate motor.
tim

 

I aalready have all the parts

Ok ill pull It and build It myself. Take lots of pics for you guys.

Anyone recommend a guy engine hoist and sstand?

 

A good engine picker and stand

 

Will I have to adjust my valves?

 

Well update!

I met this guy that had a pickup with a 355 sbc in it. I talked with him later on the phone and he said he was selling the motor in it. He had a dyno sheet that had it making 502lbs/tq. From what he remembers he built it for a 81 c3 corvette for his son. He couldnt handle the power so he put in a stock 350 and put the 355 in his pickup. He then pulled it out due to a bad cam lobe. He has a forged crank (cant remember names of parts he said ), forged rods, forged pistons, performer rpm heads, 750cfm carb. This may not all be right because its off memory.

He was naming off parts and specs for everything. He owns a shop that build 350sbc's. He has a guy just interested in the heads so he said he is willing to sell it to me as a short block.

He wants $800 for it. I think im going to do it. Then drive the vette with stock 350 as i sit on the money tree and build this thing with 200cc dart shp heads and put in my voodoo cam, stall convertor, rocker arms, intake, carb, dizzy

Gonna be a sweet build IF you guys approve lol. He obviously knew his **** cause when everytime i said a part he said i bet you have the 262 one and he was always right.

Does not leak, knock, smoke, vibrate, make any noises. He said If it does bring it back to my shop and ill give u full refund.

SOO should I pull the trigger?

 

At some point you're going to have to commit to some kind of decision here. Telling the forum about "a guy with a killer motor in his truck" won't really help much because we're not there to look at it. If you can hear it running, it runs smooth, has good oil pressure, etc. it might not be a bad deal but if it were me I'd still want to pull a couple rod caps and a main cap to see what's going on in there. And it already wiped a cam once? How did he get all that metal out of there?

I have advised many others on these pages thusly-go buy a copy of "How to Rebuild Your Small-Block Chevy" by David Vizard. It is the most succinct, easy-to-understand, and authoritative piece on the subject ever written. Read it thoroughly, and you will have gained an education that you would be very much hard-pressed to get here. That's what I did many years ago, and I have yet to break, wipe a cam, or blow up a smallblock and I have built several of them.

It sounds like you're on a pretty limited budget(aren't we all?) so you don't want to make any dumb mistakes. One such error in a case like this can wipe you out, so educate yourself first.

 

yea i cant decide lol He said he fired it up for the guy buying the heads but removed everything. The guy is getting the heads tomorrow so it obviously checked out. He said it holds oil pressure and dosent make any noises. He is the kind of guy that is just selling it to sell it and isnt there to rip anyone off. You can tell easily.

I am on a very limited budget but there is no time limit on it. It can sit for 5 months as i build it with my job's income.

Its got a good base far as I can tell and cant really beat it for that.

It is a jegs crate engine that was built.

 

I will defiently pick up the book too