HELP, is this a good buy?
I came across a 350 out a a 69 Pontiac for $75. The cylinder walls are very smooth. I did notice a ridge about a quarter inch from the top of each cylinder, probably from the rings (right/wrong).

No heads, no pan, just rotating assembly. It turned very smooth with a wrench on the crank if that's any help. Pistons looked healthy, no marks on them.

Any disadvantage going with the GEN I block besides the rear main seal?

I was planning on throwing some new parts (heads, cam, intake)on the trusty 305, but now I have come across this 350 and am rethinking what I should do.

Thanks for any input in advance!

 

So, is it a Pontiac 350, or a Chevrolet 350??

If it's a Pontiac one, it's totally, altogether different in every way from a Chevrolet one, and won't interchange any parts whatsoever with your 305.

You can easily identify the 2 motors. A Pontiac motor has a big aluminum timing cover that fits all over the front of the motor, including the water pump discharge passages; but a Chevy motor's water pump passages are outside the timing cover flange. Also, a Pontiac block has a curved surface across the top in between the 2 cyl head decks; but a Chevy block is straight there.

 

If its a Pontiac 350, don't bother using it in your car. It does not have a good bore+stroke combination like a Chevy 350. The Pontiac 350 has an awfully small bore and a really long stroke, so its like a 305 sbc with athsma (spelling?). it something like a 3.75" bore and a 3.7" stroke (don't know exact numbers, but something like that) so it breathes alot WORSE than even a 305 Chevy does.

 

Well I guess I'll pass on this one, Thanks for the input!!