I wasnt' really planning on buying a motor right now, but a fellow about a mile from my house is moving and needs to sell a .040 over 350 shortblock that he was running in a '84 camaro. He's willing to part with it for $150, but i wanted to run the casting #'s by you guys, to see if it's worth messing with. I'm not very knowledgeable about engine internals, so I wanted to run it by you folks.

It's a 4-bolt block, with a 4" bore. Cast 350 crank and hyperteutic pistons (dont know what brand. CC262 cam he said, I don't know what that means. The cylinder walls look perfect, and it turns over fine. The number on the front was M11079VP, the number on the back of the block was 10066036. Are these meaningful to anyone, as far as telling what kind of block it is?

The owner said he ran it on the street for a couple of years, never had it on the track and didn't abuse it. As far as I can tell, it's in fine shape.

The price is right I think, but I don't want to buy it if it's not worth building. I'd probably store it for a while, and eventually replace my 307 with it.

thanks!
-Brian

Don't know much about the numbers, however a 350 short block that appears to be in good condition would be a good deal at $150. Just make sure you put a good set of heads on it and it should run quite nicely-don't use your stock 307 heads on that motor-it'd choke it with those small valves.

Brian,
Mortec.com shows it as a 350 targetmaster block, made in Mexico.

Is that good or bad?

most, if not all, chevy crate blocks are made in mexico these days. They are supposed to be better quality than the older ones made in the U.S..

I haven't heard anything bad about them (except that it is sending money to non-us workers).

Sounds like a buy! It's a nothing fancy target motor but has all the right parts to build reliable power for low bucks. And for a buck fifty, even if their is a "hidden issue" that you don't know about, you are not out any serious money. Better than the 307! The "CC262" might be a CompCam grind. To be sure, do a tear down to see exactly what you have. Then do a complete freshen-up before installing.
It will give you peace of mind.

My .02

I'm pretty sure that Comp Cams has a 262 Extreme Energy Cam. That's probably what the CC262 means. I think it's a sweet deal. Here in PA you can buy a bare 350 4-bolt main motor for $150-300.00. You can get the whole shortblock for that. Sounds to me that providing everything is OK, you can save yourself some machine work.

It sounds like a good deal to me too! It will be a nice step up from your 307. GMW is right, the XE262 is a Comp. Cams grind.

Thanks for the responses!
although this sounds like a winner deal, I've decided against it. I would have had to store it for a good while before I am ready to build an engine, and I was afraid I might end up deciding that really wasn't what I wanted to build and end up having to sell that shortblock myself.
Finicky, I know, but while I've planned out the suspension/brake setup in detail, I havn't thought about the engine yet, and I don't want to buy something until I'm sure what I want to do.

No no no, reconsider. $150 is just too cheap, even if you have to WD40 the tar out of it and stick in in a barn. You WILL kick yourself in the arse later. BTDT. you can always sell it for MORE later!. BLOCKS go for $150!!!! You can wheel the reciproacting ass'y to finance a 383!!!

Dont let it change your plans, but IMHO, thats like money in the bank.

Would that qualify me as a real gearhead, if I have at least one greasy shortblock laying around my garage? smile.gif

INDEED!

Invest in a $54 Summit engine dolly and it'll be easy to move around as well.

I mean if someone told me, " Hey I have this old greasy 396 laying around, want it for $400 ?"( bbc you see), and it was in that same condition as the 350, like I said, its like money in the bank whether you use it or not.

Missed a sbc400/T400 for $150 last year. Have no use for either item BUT..money in the bank.

I agree with 427L88. Buy it for $150.00 and if you decide not to keep it sell it for $350.00. Too bad we're so far apart, I'd buy it for that money and just sit it in my garage.

heres how it works in my neck of the woods, be it harley or chevy, hopefully your friends are as generous as mine. i would bring it home. some of my friends would donates some parts. i would haunt a few garage sales and swap meets. soon you have a complete motor. if it's not what you want, trade or sell for what your after. like thier telling you, $ in the bank. plus nothing looks cooler than a motor build in the garage. good luck.

You guys have twisted my arm...I wrote him to see if it's still there, and if so I'll pick it up

graemlins/hurray.gif

JUST DOING OUR JOB graemlins/thumbsup.gif

While we're on the subject, does anyone know if the "Hecho en Mexico" block can handle a .060 overbore?

Mine's punched to .040 now and I might go to .060 for my next build (this will be after the 383 is running in the car). I'm thinking of a stock stroke high-winder for that one. Probably have to hard-fill the bottom of the block for added stability.