rebuild or new 350

[79 silverado]

Here is how I answer the question: If something goes awry in the rebuild process can you afford to pay for a second rebuild?

For under $1600 you can get a low-end GM built warranty backed engine. If something fails or a bearing cap wasn't torqued just right, a new one is free.

Not a high horsepower screamer, but, equivalent to what these trucks came with new.

If you build it yourself, and a measurement is just off, or something isnt tightened just right, it'll come apart in a few thousand miles and you are on the hook to pay for new machine work and do it again.

Also, just because you buy a used block for $150, when its torn down, tanked, and magnafluxed it may have cracks and you may need to buy a second or third core before finding a good one....