383 stroker build- I need some opinions!

[SeanPaintsFlames]

My current 350 in the K10 has really bad blow-by and I'm building a 383 stroker out of a spare 350 4-bolt-main, 2pc rms motor I had. The machinist calls the next day saying that the block I gave him yesterday has a bunch of cracks and would make a great coffee table. SO- where should I go from here?

I have 3 available 1pc rms blocks for $100, but then I'll have to get another crank for $200 and sell this new 2pc crank for $150, costing me $150.

I can get an already-bored 350 4 bolt main block off craigslist for $150, but I run the risk of buying someone else's junk. Again.

I try to use the block that is in the truck now, but I'll be out of a car for a couple weeks while the motor swap/build is going on. I'm not even sure if the engine in the K10 is for sure a 350 and not a 305 anyway. This will cost me $0, but take much longer.

What do you think? I already have a new intake, aluminum heads, roller rockers, gaskets, pistons, crank, cam, all bearings, etc. for this 2pc rear main 350.

??

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Does your machine shop have any spare blocks ready to go laying around? Most shops I know usually have a backstock of good blocks. Getting a 350 block shouldn't be hard. 90trillion made and half that powers the sun and pushes the moon
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[68Timber]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Does your machine shop have any spare blocks ready to go laying around? Most shops I know usually have a backstock of good blocks. Getting a 350 block shouldn't be hard. 90trillion made and half that powers the sun and pushes the moon
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Yep. Mine is 1 piece rear main seal because that's what they had in stock. See what they have. As long as you can come up with any kind of 350 core they shouldn't care.

[LynnJr]

Call all your closest wrecking yards and tell them what you need.The 350 blocks crack in the lifter valley alot.
I would ask your machine shop were to look as well.If you still can't find one Summit,Jegs and Performance Auto Wholesale all sell factory blocks.

[manimal]

Did you go down and SEE the cracks? I use to work in a machine shop(for several years) and have only found 1 cracked 350 block. Do you know for sure it was a 350 block and not something "rare" like a DZ 302 block? or an "LT-1" block with the correct stampings for a concours resto? I would go to the machine shop and ask to see the cracks,get the casting number,take your block back.
I have known of some machine shop that find "RARE" stuff and screw the customer out of it just to re-sell it for profit on top of selling the customer a new block. ASK TO SEE THE CRACKS!

[blue86c10]

I would get the summit block. By time you fine another block than have it cleaned and all the machine work done you will have almost as much into it.
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[S10Fan]

Buy a crate 383 and be done with it. I don't think you can build one for what a complete new one sells for.

[LynnJr]

Manimal
How were you checking for cracks? I ask because the four bolt 350's crack in the lifter valley and around the freeze plugs all the time.If you put them in a hot tank and not a pressure washer or bake them you will see white lines that look like lightening bolts and when you mag them 98% of the time they are cracked right there.
You could probably still run 80% of them without issue but a 2 piece rear seal 4 bolt 350 core runs $125 so most guys just get another block.The wreckers around here guarantee them to pass so your only out the hot-tank and magging and most shops will do it for no extra charge on several blocks as long as they get the job.

[manimal]

I've used the ultra violet magnaflux and the magnet with the powder.

[strokd 84]

Originally Posted by S10Fan

Buy a crate 383 and be done with it. I don't think you can build one for what a complete new one sells for.

I agree!
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[68Timber]

Originally Posted by SeanPaintsFlames

I already have a new intake, aluminum heads, roller rockers, gaskets, pistons, crank, cam, all bearings, etc. for this 2pc rear main 350.

??

That's what parts I have, and I got my short block from cmengines.com for $1295. If I send them my engine I'll get $250 back. They've been around a long time, check them out.

[naphtali5725]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

That's what parts I have, and I got my short block from cmengines.com for $1295. If I send them my engine I'll get $250 back. They've been around a long time, check them out.

Bruiser... I have my Olds 455 that's going in my 86 at cmengines right now... how did you like their service, and did you get a performance(balanced etc.) short block or just a stock one?

[68Timber]

I haven't assembled it yet but I'm not really worried about it. They came recommended from a friend who knows a whole lot more about engines than I'll ever know, he knows the guy that owns cmengines and that's where he gets his street engines from. Mine has stock rods/crank and hypereutectic pistons but I don't recall if he balanced it or not, I'd have to check. Are you getting the warranty?

[naphtali5725]

Since I'm a disabled vet, Mike and Joe let me bring my engine, and the master rebuild kit(pistons, bearings etc. etc.) that was donated to me, and they offered to do all the machine work, and balancing etc. same process as what they do for their performance engines... you can see all that on their website. comes with their standard warranty for performance engines, i think 12 months...but you can get a 36 month one if you want

They gave me a tour of the place, and it is a pretty sweet shop. they do it all, start to finish. got to see a stroker small block chrysler pull over 600HP on their dyno, and they have 2 kick ass dragsters they run. a really awesome shop. i hope you have good luck with your motor

[68Timber]

I never talked to Mike when I ordered mine, a friend told him what I wanted and they built it. I don't remember how long my warranty is, just that I can't spray it until the warranty is up. All I've heard about them is they know their stuff and back what they do. We use them for any friend that has a hurt motor that needs replaced.

Pretty sweet what they're doing for you and for giving you the grand tour. I'll be watching for the install, love the Olds 455. Anyway, sorry to the OP for the hijack, but I do highly recommend them.

[naphtali5725]

well at least the OP now has two recommendations for cmengines

[SeanPaintsFlames]

Yeah, I can't get a shortblock from another machine shop now- I've got everything BUT the block already. As much as I'd like to just get a new block from Summit or wherever, I just don't have the money in my budget for it. The old guy that runs this machine shop is super cheap but very reliable, so the price between new vs repair are much further apart. I guess he doesn't have another 2 pc block laying around or he would have sold it to me by now.
Because of the difficulty seeing cracks in a block that's not been vatted (like one off Craiglist), I'm just going to have to pull the one I have in the truck and hope for the best. If I end up 2 for 2 with cracked blocks, things may change.

Thanks!