I currently have a 400 small block that runs great! the problem is that where my starter bolts in there is a chip in the block which causes it to wiggle which therefore i have a bad starter every 2 to 6 months.I am tired of temporarily fixing it. so i found a permanent solution. I found another block and i am curious as to if i will need any new parts besides the pistons? bear with me i am a beginner and dont know squat.
my engine casting number is GM 3951509
the block i found is GM 3951517
he wants $450 for it and says it is magged for cracks.
any suggestions would be awesome thanks!

 

Are you sure that casting number is right? What do you want to do, put your current rotating assembly into the other block?

 

im 95% sure they are right the new block is either 511 or 517 cant remember. and yes i would like to do that and am wondering if it is possible?

 

517 sounds better. Yes, you can do it. You'll need all the normal rebuild parts... bearings, rings, etc., maybe pistons depending on the bore size of the other block.

 

I would have your block welded by a professional, for less than 450 bucks. My uncle owns a machine shop in Indiana. You have to heat up the area to be welded to a certain temperature. Weld up the crack (and probably some of the bolt hole) with nickel rod or cast iron blend rod. Then you have to heat up the metal to the certain temp again. It must be cooled down over a period of hours to make it right. Then the hole gets re drilled and tapped.

To do it right you strip your engine to the block and use an oven for the heating and cooling. That is normally more of a pain than most people are willing to bear but you are talking about stripping your engine anyway.

Sometimes people have a stud welded into the hole as well and then put a flange head nut on the stud to hold the starter instead of a starter bolt.

Just throwing out more options... not telling you what you should do...

 

another "thought" does it have the dual pattern starter holes? (3 holes on the block) now this I can't verify so it is only a thought but, I belive the aftermarket mini starters can use the other holes and you adjust the starter motor to line up for our smaller flywheels

 

i cant remember if it has 3 holes or not, but i know that my engine was rebuilt once so i thinks its 30 over. and the guy told me the new block is freshed bored 30 over and magged.

You've probably heard this question 1000 times, but what would be the best rebuild kit out there with the lowest price?

Also, i believe i have steel or cast iron heads. is it worth extra money to get a kit with aluminum heads as well? ( i already have an edlebrock aluminum intake manifold.)
----------
I thought about this, but then i thought i could get a new block for cheaper than that so its not worth it, but thanks for the advice

 

any suggestions for quality cheap rebuild kits?

 

speed-o-motive , PAW, or Powerhouse would have the cheapest rebuild kits. Though you can just buy gasket kits, timing chain, rod and main bearings, and piston rings and you should be fine. You could also just look into seeing if a ministarter will fit in a different hole, probably the cheapest solution if it will.