Available for $100 near me:
396021F Block
Bored .40 over
unknown camshaft
boat motor HAD Ga heads(guy beat me to the sale for the heads!!!)
Comes with rotating assembly and a flywheel for m/t

My current engine is a 68 F block from a delta 88. Its a tired engine buring oil. It has low compression pistons and, I assume small valve C heads I'm certain are in bad shape. I was planning a rebuild this Fall.

So, do I just rebuild mine, or buy this unknown bored block? Both?

 

Rebuild the engine you have, especially if it runs.

 

I was leaning that way, but I started thinking I couldn't get my current blocked bored for $100, let alone the lhigher compression pistons. The cross-hatching on that block is still visible. The rust doesn't scare me. I don't know what the skirts or rings look like, but I don't know what the inside of my current engine looks like either.

However, as you said, mine currently runs. It actually runs quite well. The oil consumption is pretty significant, 1qt a week with moderate driving. #1 compression is 95 1st stroke, 115 2nd. #3 is a touch better, and the rest are between 115-125.

Anyway, I just thought $100 for an already bored block with aftermarket pistons, maybe that's a better start.

I truly appreciate the advice.

 

For a hundred bucks you can't go wrong.

 

For $100 I'd buy it, see what you have and then decide. Sometimes you can make a silk purse out of two sow's(!) ears.

 

Yeah buy it. The manual flywheel alone is probably worth $100.
Bring a 1 1/8" socket with you and rock the crank back and forth. I'll bet you find a rod knock.

For the oil consumption more than likely a valve job would clean that up, but that involves removing the heads. And if you do that then you MAW rebuild the motor.
Couple of relatively easy things you could try on your current engine.
Check if the oil drain back holes are plugged or severely restricted in the heads.
Lastly the umbrella seals are probably shot on the valves. You could replace them all with a couple hours work.

 

Unless it had a closed cooling system with antifreeze in it I would pass. Looking at the picture the cylinders will probably have to be bored again. Especialy the passenger side.

 

Man, I've checked the oil drain holes. I replaced the umbrella seals for #1 chamber. Definitely could use a valve job. I suppose I could have some porting done. And then, as you said, I MAW ring job, MAW swap to high compression pistons, maw swap out bearings, maw camshaft...few more months and well, winter is coming! I'll prob pass on the boat motor. Thanks for the advice.

 

Thing spins smooth as silk, no knock, no catching. I'M DOING IT! Hell, I spend $100 on nuts and gum or a bored big block? Excited to get this thing home and see what I end up having. Thanks for the input fellas

 

Hahaha! That's exactly what I'm doin! I like that! Might be the pigs fly garage new motto. Hope its not under copyright? I'll give you all the credit!