The cheapest and safest route would be to buy one from GM. I believe they are around $1200 but I haven't looked in a while. You could buy a reman through one of the chain parts stores for less, but its a roll of the dice going that route. To properly rebuild it you're looking at spending a lot more. With $500, you're better off buying a whole car with a good running engine if that's all you have to spend.

 

What would be the cheapest I can get away with and have a running 350???

scott

You will not know what you can get away with using the current motor till you take it apart, look at the cylinders, measure the bore, check the crank.


I did a re ring job on a 305 motor for an 84 Pontiac Grand Prix. Had 185K on the motor. I didnt check anything!!!!!.... just threw in new bearings, oil pump, new timing chain set, cheap cam and lifter set for under $100. I think for the Re ring kit including all gaskets, all bearings, and oil pump I paid under $200. I spent another $20 I think it was for a ridge reamer so I could get the pistons out without any damage, and I spent another $40 or so for a a couple of ball hones..one for the cylinders, and one for the lifter bores. Motor went over another 100K miles...but not checking anything as I did is kind of a crap shot and Id never do it that way again...Good luck

 

Contact a local engine retailer and get a short block. Most shops will take your block in trade. Get the heads cleaned, guides checked/installed with new seals, Buy a gasket set and put it back together. My Dad just bought a 350 2-bolt short block for around $325 for his Elk.

Another option is to get a long block and trade your short block and heads. You keep the intake, water pump, harmonic balancer, etc. Guessing maybe around $500-$700 for a long block

Here's a couple of shops that local outlets in Houston:
Warren
Northwest

You should be able find one local to you.

E.

 

Ok, I guess I wasn't clear.

I already have a 350 motor, I'm getting it from a close friend. I was told by my friend that the motor was running fine when it was pulled.

I want to take this motor, and rebuild it. Something like a re-ring kit.
I'm looking for a $$$ amount of how much it might cost to take a running, tired 350, and rebuild it to a point that its ready to run another 100,000 miles.

I guess taking the motor apart and having the block cleaned and checked over will be good. That way I will know what/ if anything needs to be done to it.
What whould the cost of that be? $75?

thats what Im looking for, give me a $ amount of what it would take to rebuild a stock 350, other add-ons can be "Added-On" later.

I guess I wouldn't think it would be more then $500 to rebuild/freshen-up a stock 350.

scott

 

Several weeks ago I got a 350 short block from a friend for free. I went to a local rebuilder to ask what it would cost. Answer : $800. No thanks. I ordered a long block from a rebuilder in Phoenix that wanted $900 without a core engine. Took that. The local dealer wants $1800 for a Goodwrench motor. Anyway, I would do a compression test on that motor and ask if it burnt oil in any quantity. To do a good job and get 100,000 miles more will cerainly take more than a couple hundred dollars. If the motor is in good shape, then put in a timing chain, crank seals, check core plugs for rust and leakage and maybe add a set of umbrella seals on the valves. That could keep the costs down and give you a reasonably good engine.

 

Cleaning the block, an over bore, resizing rods, new rod bolts, cam bearings installed, bottom end, and rod bearings, pistons, rings, oil pump, and gaskets... I would say 700 to 900 bucks depending on rod bolts, and pistons.
If the motor ran ok before, and you want to build a 383 for later, I would just put it in, do a good tune up on it, and save the 500 bucks to spend on the new motor.