I have an old (70 something probably) two piece rear main driver side dipstick 350 short block a friend gave me. It's been sitting for some time. I pulled it apart and it looks like the bearings were not spun but thats about all I know to check. The block and crank is rusty thats all. The cylinders are not to rusty that a .030 over job can't handle. It may be .030 over already. The decks look okay also. I can post pics later.

I was thinking 383 project but I don't want to count my eggs if you know what I mean.

What should I check myself?
If its worth taking to machine shop, what should I have them do?
Is it worth the time or money?

This block and crank was a freebie and I need to decide what to do with it Thanks.

 

don't waste your time, think about $400 in machine work only to find out it is crap.

Get a quaility core

 

Could you please explain in a little more detail what a "quality core" might consist of, and how you can tell that the one in question is or is not such a thing?

 

Have the shop mike the bores first to see if it's already oversize..Get it cleaned, magged, and pressure checked,, if it passes- then get an estimate on machining where neccessary.

 

How much should I look to spend for the above checks?
Lest say the above checks good then what will need to be done?

bored?
honed?
decked?
clearanced?(for stroker)

I just don't want to show up to the shop like a GOOF and ripped. You guys have the experiance to give me a good heads up.

 

If the block checks out and you will be using it, take it to a good, reputable shop and ask them to check it over and see what they think needs done.

 

I'll give you some quotes that I got from shops around for the machine work that I want/need done to my block at the minimum.

Shop 1
Bore - 130, 150 w/ torque plate
Align hone - 150
Hot tank - 50
Magnaflux - 30

Shop 2
Bore - 18/hole
Align hone - 150
Hot tank - 45
Magnaflux - 35

Shop 3
Bore - 15/hole
Align hone - 140
Hot Tank AND Magnaflux - 40


When I called to get quotes I didnt realize that I would probably need to have the rotating assembly balanced as well, but I'm guessing that'll be another 250 or so.

You'll probably be looking at all of that above stuff, plus a bit more to have them deck it and such.

Your free block isnt so free anymore lol

 

YES! your block is a good candidate for machine work
Q) how much did it cost?
A) zero

WHY in the world would you pay $ for another core that someone claims is (QUALITY) when you will not know for sure untill the machine shop looks it over?

It will not matter if it is rusty and dirty IF you are planning on having a block bored anyway. A good machine shop will clean and magnaflux the block / check for cracks / problems first. This will all be done BEFORE you sink $ into machine work.

Q) how are you going to find another block that is better? (a quality block like someone previously called it)???
A) get a block from a ok RUNNING car that you know was ok before you take it apart. try to get one of these for zero $

OR..............

find a block that does not need bored or other machine work, you will have to check a lot of measurments to see if they are within re-usable specs (good luck) try to get one of these for zero $

Take it to your shop. You paid zero for your block, use it. As long as it is not missing the mains, or has some other major flaw, it seems like as good of a candidate as any other.

 

What he said, it's free run with it as far as you can.

 

the block is a cheap $100 "part" think of it like that...

Use the best core you can find, I wouldn't use it if it had rust

 

if it is free it probably is at least .030 over, if it is don't waste your time, you can go .060 on a daily driver, but I woudln't

try to find a donor in a running motor and do a compression test, saves lots of time on a ****ty block

 

Any reputable machine shop will measure the bore for you first and let you know the current size. This will help you make your decision before spending $ on it. Call one first, but you should be able to get this done and an visual estimate for free.

Dont be scared of rust, a clean block and a rusty block that go in a shop to be bored will come out looking the same, the shop has to clean them up anyway.

Here is another idea:
Ask your machine shop if they have anything to trade. They might make the whole deal cheaper for you if they already have a 350 block ready to sell. You could trade them your core and maybe get a discount. If they have it, it could be a bettrt price for you and a quick sale for them.

 

They do that? Thats a good idea.