I made another posting asking about the heads. But I was offered this block for $500. It's a Goodwrench over the counter crate 350 from what I understand. Nothing special about it. Nothing internal done. Believe it's a '86 block. Doesn't come with a balancer, any pulleys, no intake or distributor, headers, blah blah. Basically I have EVERYTHING I'd need to get it going, except for a harmonic balancer. Engine is said to have less than 20k miles.

Anyway, you guys think it's worth $500?

 

no. 1 do you trust the person selling and does he have a warranty aka documentation. a stock 350 engine I guess it depends on what your doing with it. leaving it roughly stock will save you some money but if hotrodding is your thing then you might invest in a short block since you would still have to buy everything else that you want on it. sometimes upgrading the bottom end to handle the power you want to make can cost alot more money than just building that way from the start. It's a nice engine if the mileage is true then IMO it's worth every penny, But if I was going to rawhide then stock won't do.

 

I wouldn't pay that unless I could pull both heads, the oil pan, and check ALL the bearings. As in, remove ALL the caps. If everything checks out, then it's a good deal. The intake manifold is crap and only worth the scrap value of aluminum.
I wouldn't bother pulling the timing cover, because I'd buy a new cam and timing set to go along with my head porting and better valves.

 

Went to check it out and end of the day bought it. The block is definitely low mileage, and was definitely kept up with. Almost still looks brand new. I told the guy to keep the intake. I have a Holley of my own that I plan to use.

I don't have any future plans to make this into a beast or power hog or anything. I was solely looking for something to pick up, throw mt bolt-ons on, and cruise.

So for the price I think I did pretty good, got a engine stand as well

 

You might want to use the advice about checking that Atilla gave. I bought one with low miles, clean, ext. Ran it about 3 months without checking anything upfront. Then it smoked like a smog truck, Bad valve guides. But I would not listen to advice given to me,, I hope you do.

 

great answer!!!!! you've bought it now o you may as well make sure it doesn't have any probs or if it does you can get them fixed now instead of later.

 

Guess I didn't update this.

Bought it, and opened up the oil pan. Found a broken piston skirt and metal shavings EVERYWHERE. The guy was clueless. He knew what was up with that thing. And not only that he tried to sell it after the fact to a buddy of mine.
It's a shame how shady people are these days.

On the UP side, bought a 87 non-roller 357 complete for $450. Got it down to the block and it definitely needed head gaskets. It had steel ones but it sat for about a year so gaskets are due now anyway. Engine turns over fine, heads look good, block looks fresh. Lets see where this one takes me.