I am looking for a 350 to start my 350tbi project. I guy in town has a 350 short block for sale with a casting number of 14093638. He is only asking 150 for it, which I think is an ok deal (especially if I can talk him down to 100). The catch is though that he pulled it out of the car because it started seeping oil out of the pan gasket and the head gaskets. Should I stay away from this block? Or since I am planning a complete rebuild, should I just pick it up anyway?

 

think you answered your own question, why would you care about the condition of gaskets that are no longer on the engine, especially if you're planning a complete rebuild?

 

Be sure to check in the lifter valley area for cracks. Some of those #638 blocks crack there.

 

I would try to find a boneyard vortec 350 to pull. A long block might set you back a 100 bucks. (that's the price I've found at junkyards around here)

The pan gasket leak is nothin. I would need more info on the head leak I guess.

 

I have been looking to find a l31 in the yards in NJ, but so far I have been out of luck. There are a bunch around, but most places are quoting me over a grand for the motor, which is definitely way too much...

 

You could build the same thing just by putting new Vortec heads on the #638 short block assembly, then add the roller lifter stuff from an LO3. And you'd still spend less than $1k.