starting my 350 build, this 305 aint cutting it in my 86 TA. Basically I'm just going to build it from the grounfd up over the next few months but I needed to know where to get the block. I mean, I could get a junkyard tpi and tear it all down, but is there anywhere like through GM or something I could get JUST the block? thanks,
Jason

 

I got mine from the machine shop. It was already hot tanked, same casting as my GTA, and only $100.

 

Go to your local machine shops. sometimes they have blocks there that people never came and gotten. i just picked up a freshly bored 400 that had been in the mahcine shope for over 2 years for 150 bucks. just had to pay for the labor they put in the block. The machine shops round here are pretty good at cuttin deals, mabey the ones round you are too.
chris

 

I got mine at a machine shop too, only I had to pay more because of the clearancing for the stroker crank.

If your local junkyard sells the complete engine inexpensively, you could take it and sell the left over parts you don't need/ want. Brand new blocks are going to run you about $500 and up...

 

I wanted everything new so I bought a brand new 350 4bolt block, prt# 10105123 from my local GM performance part dealer.It retails for 599.95. It is a bare block so you will have to get all the goodies. But it will be worth it in the end.
Gotti

 

Actually, "seasoned" blocks are preferred for performance build-ups. Any core shift etc will have already ocurred and the casting has "Settled".......

Of course I'm just relaying what my grizzled old machine shop guy used to spout.......he never steered me wrong on anything else......so....

Machine shops are great places, as are parts cars, especially those with bad tranny's......not like that would happen often in a 3rd gen

HTH

 

You can get the seasoning out of the way by having the cylinders honed with a torque plate. Even though it is new you should have your cylinders honed, to precision match your pistons to each cylinder,as no piston is exactly alike

 

THats not it... THe seasoning comes from heat cycling. There is not practical way to duplicate heat, cool, heat, cool. THe ideal donor block would, in my opinion, come out of an old pickup that some guy used for daily driving and hauling. Not abused, just used, alot...

I'm not saying brand new blocks are not good, I am waiting til I can afford a Motown... THere are other benefits to "seasoned" blocks. Finding one is usually no trouble, any machine shop that is worth its weight in marking compound is bound to have a few on hand. Just start making phone calls.

 

I picked up a 350 four bolt motor from a '97 1 ton at a salvage yard for $300. It was burned on top from a fire, TB and intake and wires were destroyed. Had everything checked at a machine shop. Crank was great, just had it polished. Block was good but had it bored .030 anyway. Vortec heads were good, just had them machined for bigger springs.