Well, For financial reasons, i'm thinking about getting a rebuilt Recon 350 Chevy 4 bolt main Short block through my job ($300 or thereabouts) and building it up. My compromise is obviously money, and i don't want to void the warranty by putting aftermarket heads on a long block, so I decided this way is best to go. Being as Recon is a large national rebuild outlet, i'm positive that a few bad blocks have been rebuilt and made their way through the Warranty Exchange process. Any particular thing to watch out for??

As for the build-up i was checking out, i'm planning on a 78 or equivalent (smog) 350 4 bolt, with Vortec heads, Edelbrock Performer intake, and a Comp 268XE camshaft with headers. This WILL be in my Daily Driver, think it would be a good setup? Thanks for any input, and for reading this line if you actually read all this.

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--Steve S--
1984 Trans Am 305 LG4, 5 speed Daily Driver, Flowmaster 80 Series
Holley 600 cfm & vacuum advance
Soon: Edlebrock Intake & TES

[This message has been edited by 84TransAm (edited May 13, 2001).]

 

Well it sounds like you know there are a few bad apples in the bunch but anyway. If you can get a reccon engine for 300/400$ go for it!
It cost me 200 bucks for a builder "needed main&rod bearings". for that much money at least you get some sort of warenty. If you do purchase the reccon shortblock cheap you might as well build it the way you want it, high performance cam ect. Just check every thing out in the inside recheck the tq on the main's stuff like that, after all its your engine!
GL!
SSC

 

Heck, Id pay $300 for the bare block and crank with all the machine work already done. One of my friends just got a longblock from recon, but he called them and had them work with him on the internals (he works at a recon distributor). He sent them the cam he wanted and specified a 9.0-9.5:1 CR. Weather he got the compression ratio is a question but they did install his cam and lifters, no warrenty on the valve train. As an extra he got a $65 credit on the cam.

 

Do you know how long his engine has been in? How does it run (haul a$$) I would like to stay on this route if at all possible, although used parts are really interesting, especially the low price. I'm really trying to get this out of the planning stages and into a reality by Late-July.



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--Steve S--
1984 Trans Am 305 LG4, 5 speed Daily Driver, Flowmaster 80 Series
Holley 600 cfm & vacuum advance
Soon: Edlebrock Intake & TES

 

I work as store manager for a leading auto part's chain, and have sold many Recon engine's, the only problem they have given has been in the valve's. so I think you'll have good service out of there short block's.

 

Ok, disregard previous posts. I've decided that a used engine is going to be the best cost-effective way. Thanks for all the help i've gotten.