I bought a 67 chevelle(survivor) malibu.I bought it from a friend, who purchased it from the origonal owner.I have everything to convert the body over to an ss, (emblems,grill,hood,ect..) the car now has the stock 283 in it. I`m having a hard time finding a decent BB (396 prefferably) to rebuild.would you hold out for a BB?,build a 350?, or build the 283? I dont intend to race the car, or pass it off for an ss. I intend to keep it. very solid car! To be honest, I`m starting to get kinda pissed trying to find a good core.....Found plenty of 402`s.

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If your gonna switch it over why not run down to your local GM Performance dealer and purchase a new H.O. 502 and stuff that in it? While you're at it, get yourself a 4L80e from one of the aftermarket guy's to go in back of it! Good Luck! Narti

Have to agree with Narti. After you find an old core, get parts and pay machine shop costs, how much of a difference would it be to go to a crate motor? Not much, I bet. If you don't want to go all out, you can get the 454HO long block for less than $4000, I believe. Or if you want to stay for something under $3K, you can go the small block HO350 route. I was tempted to go that way but am saving pennies for a HO502. When I am done, I want my clone to look like a 396/375HP. Like you this is going to be my keeper.
John Walker

in my opinion if your going to make it a ss clone it has to be a big block. what's wrong with a 402?

396's are expensive to rebuild. I just finished mine and with just a basic rebuild, nothing fancy, I'm into it for over $3,000 counting what I paid for the core. However, it is an original 396 car so wanted to stick with it. Go with the small block, you get so much more for the same $$.
Harvey