If I wanted to......

[79Chevypickup]

Hey yall, got a quick question for you...

If I wanted to buy an engine block, either bare or
with some parts on it, what would I be looking for
to make sure I would get a good block?
What kinda questions should I ask and what
exactly do I need to know?

The reason I ask is because I would like to get a
block and strip it completely down and totally re-do
the block with performance parts or at least new parts
and then through it in my truck, but I am not sure what
I need to look for when buying a block..

OH, and what would be a fair price?


Any suggestions will be excellent....

Thanks all!!

[87 STEPPER]

For the time and money you cant go wrong with a crate engine form GM performance parts or any other outfit that offers a crate eng.

The only problem you will have to figure out is how much HP you want and that ='s how much you'll spend.

Dont take this the wrong way but with a ? like that i dont think you will know enough in order to build an engine.

[79Chevypickup]

You dont think that this is an excellent way to learn?
Seriously, dont you learn more from doing instead of
letting someone else do it for you?

or is that just me?

I want to do this, I dont have the money to spend all
at once to order the engine, I have a little at a time.

For real though, thanks for the input, seriously I dont mind

[Mike76251]

The way I did it was.............went and bought a new block from GM (a 4-bolt, one-piece seal) for around $700.
I then bought all the other stuff from the best out there piece by piece.
I got exactly what I wanted and learned alot as well.

[87 STEPPER]

Your 100% correct theres no better way to learn than doing it your self.

But the lack of knowlage can be very costly so you may want to pick up some how to books on building smallblock chevy's.

I dont think of it as someone doing it for me some times you dont have the time or the proper place to do a build up so a crate engine fits the bill plus it comes with a factory warrantee

Heres a few things to look out for.

Broken off eng. mount blot bosses.

Stripped out thread's anywhere on the block.

Get a good stright edge and a fealer guage to check the deck for warping.

Check the cylinder walls for obvious damage and use a magnafier and strong flash light.

Check the crank/push rods for damage like discoloration, scrstches,pitting, gulling,and so on.

And if the owner will allow you to get the block magnafluxed befor you buy it then if it's good see if he will deduct the cost from the price he's asking.

You can save your money a little at a time untill you have enough to get a mild crate eng as well.

Good luck.

[Mike76251]

Your right Bruce..........read all the books you can first.
I have 25 different books just on the building and parts selection of small blocks. I have read them all numerous times and it really helped alot.

[allthrtl]

IMHO, you first need to decide what you want to build....small block or big block....IMO, big blocks are overkill for our trucks, but if you pull lots of trailers or just want that much torque, then go for it, a small block will probably be a little cheaper to build and put out plenty of power....NEXT, is this for a daily driver street truck, or a Sunday driven show or strip truck??

[phantom dually]

I would hang around a few people that are into motors as a hobby. Lend a hand for FREE just to learn the in's and out's. You will pick up alot just watching.

[1972C10]

If your gonna build a 350 might look for a 3970010 there pretty common can be got cheap and good blocks One peice rear seals are nice because alot of them are either roller blocks or can be Meanin they have the stands for the lifter hold down tray and the flat spots ground down for the lifter plates.


Here are some books i have read and think highly of David Vizard is a well noted engine builder/ Author

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...128180-8981705


This one has alolt of hotroddin how to info

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

[79Chevypickup]

This is great info yall, thanks !!