So, I am in search of a 350 to drop into my '85 T/A (no surprises so far). I have located two such motors, both 3970010 castings, 1971 vintage. The first is a complete motor, assembled, with an RV cam and edelbrock intake manifold, and chrome valve covers, for $500. The second is also a complete motor, disassembled, all stock (as far as I've seen), for $200. The question is, which do I get? Assuming stock not-so-great heads, of course. The $200 motor has the advantage of being able to measure bores and inspect everything, as well as less work for a rebuild (don't have to disassemble). I can rebuild it with the same (or slightly better) cam, better pistons and rods, etc for less than $300, not counting any machining that it needs. But I won't have the edelbrock manifold (or the valve covers, but who cares). I'm leaning towards the cheaper block, but I'm curious which you guys would go for. Reasons, etc. are appreciated.

 

personally i would opt for a complete engine so that down time of the vehicle is very inimal

engine is known to run, complete, doesnt need anything, no problmes with the block or anything and if there was then it would have some kind of problem like burning water or oil or something else wrong


but if you prefer to not be able to drive your car at all for a while then you could try building the engine then


only you can answer this Q for yourself really

good luck

 

Well, yeah, but the car isn't my daily driver or anything. So that's no problem. I went ahead and got the $200 one, I think it's the better deal. It's in great shape.

 

I would have recommended that had I seen this before you bought. You're basically getting the same thing for $300 less. You can get an intake and gaskets for a lot less than that on eBay.

 

The $200 block came with new chrome valve covers and dipstick, and fel-pro gaskets. I also picked up a new set of dynomax blackjack short headers and a new weiand intake manifold +tbi adapter, gaskets, and ARP fasteners for $125 total. Pretty good deal. I can also get a rebuild kit, new cam, HV oil pump, etc for about $250, so I think the cheaper block was the better deal. Plus, the block was in remarkably good shape.