So I took my block to the machine shop. Here is a quick tail of the tape:
-All bearings were in horrible shape
-Cylinder walls are scored. Need to be bored .060" over (already .040")
-Pistons are scored and have slight signs of detonation
-Crank needs a polish
-Fuel was washing the oil off of the cylinder walls...slight signs of piston to wall contact
-Deck height was .055" (means I was at 8:3:1 before)
-4 cam lobes were wiped
-Oil filter colapsed

So its all apart and needs machining. I am still somewhat in limbo over how to put it back together:

1. Build a cast-crank 388 stroker with an Eagle crank, Eagle SIR I-beam rods and forged/hyperuetectic pistons
2. Throw some forged/hyper pistons in there with stock cranks and rods (w/ arp bolts), balance it, and start building the top end.

As of right now, I am leaning towards option 2 because I am not sure that I'd want to use those rods and crank. If I don't stroke it now, I'd do up a fully forged 383 or 406 later on. Also, I am not sure exactly what CR to shoot for when I deck the block.

My short block will be sitting under AFR 195, Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap, Crane Gold, Comp XE274(XE284 if its a stroker), Demon 750 DP, Hooker LT with 2500 stall and 3.73 gears

What do you guys figure, should I stroke it now or just wait and do it right later on?

 

Oil filter collapsed? Exactly what does that mean?

I'd consider the 388 after a sonic check of the cylinder walls. Any particular reason for the cast crank, other than cost?

 

It seems like the oil filter sucked itself in (ie. "imploded"). Both a guy at work and one of the guys at the machine shop way they've seen it happen before. The only other explanation would be that numerous rocks fit in between the filter and the pan. Either way, I've never seen anything like it. Last time I use a cheapy oil filter!

No particular reason for the cast crank other than the cost. With how much I put into the top end this winter, its either a cast 3.75" crank or the stocker. Plan was to build a forged stroker in the somewhat near future but I am not ready to build it right now.

I am just not sure if it is just more headaches to build a stroker with less than the best crank/rods.