engine hunting, what should I be looking for???

[special-K]

That`s amazing you found no ridge and the block in such good condition since those old blocks are crap.What`s really amazing is that`s how I find them all the time .I stay away from the`80s junk,top to bottom.But,these trucks came with great motors.It`s the top end that goes,everybody knows that.Then it`s might as well do the bottom end time,when you find a beautiful bottom end.Cams have never lasted as long as the rest.But,it`s always advised to do the bottom with the top.The SBC gained it`s widespread great reputation from those great early blocks.
You`ll be very happy with this motor,I`m sure.I bought a complete 327 w/TH400 pulled from a`68 truck for $200.It has a large journal forged crank and was beautiful inside,no surprises there.I had it built to 325hp specs including him swapping my truck heads for higher hp rated ones.I picked it up all painted and with a dual plane air gap manifold for $1,300.So,I have $1,500 in it and still have a TH400 to sell.There are oils and additives to keep proper oil specs in an older motor.