I'd like to buy a used 350 to replace my 305 while the Z28 hibernates this winter. There's lots of ads for reasonably priced 350s but how do I know it won't have a cracked block or other mechanical problems if I can't even see it run? Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks, Teddy Z.

 

Teddy,
If you want to pay shipping to Canada from Baltimore, I have a 350 with 3000 miles on it for sale. I am selling it for $500.
But to answer your question, I think the only way to be positive that you are not going to get shafted is to hear it run, and if you cant hear it run than get it in writing that the engine works and is in good shape and than have the seller sign it. That way if you get shafted you can just take them to court and also sue them for labor, time, trouble + the cost of the engine. Then you will get alot of money.

 

if you ask around enough you'll find someone that knows someone and someone can tell you how honset they are. if you don't like that method you can do a leak down test and use a oil pump primer and screw a mechanical gauge in the block to check oil preasure. not bulletproof but it's better than nothing.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd

 

Get it on a return clause. Buy it, disassemble it, and have the block & crank magnafluxed. If they reveal cracks, return the parts to the original owner. YOU eat the magnaflux charges, and perhaps some money for giving back a disassembled engine.

Perhaps offer a buyback clause of 75%, provided you yield up official paperwork showing the deficiency.

Some people might go for it, some might not. In the end, you'll have to gamble some money.


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Daniel Burk
http://www.isthq.com/~dan/fcar.html
'84 Trans Am WS6/L69
KB SFC, Moser axles, Torsen Diff. PST suspension, Braided stainless brake lines, Koni struts, 11-inch rear disks,Spohn Adj. torque arm,
Ported 305 heads w/1.94"intake valves, Comp Cams XE262H, Griffen alum. radiator,
Turbine Technologies 2500 stall converter, underdrive pulleys, Crane Hi-6 & more.
1.05g skidpad verified.
New best E/T! 14.039 at 100.82 MPH in 41 degree air at Stanton, Michigan.

 

Thanks guys! A few of the ads read "can be seen running" so I'll check those out first. I'll also try to set up something with the seller - if he's leary I'll know there's probably a reason why.

 

I was at the machine shop yesterday and asked them the same question and they said make sure no water is in the oil. Not all 350's are created equal! I'd say ask cobrakiller about his that's a great price but you want to see what the internal specs are. I'm gonna buy an used tpi corvette 350 soon so that much of the work is plug and play.

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89 Iroc-Z LB9 305 TPI auto 2.73 posi:
3" Dynomax "cat" back,K&N filters, TB bypass, 3" pipe in place of cat, cleaned and flow-matched injectors, 170' thermo, mild ignition mods, synthetic oil, kicker sound system, soon to have 3.73 posi...