Is there any value to a 77-80 long block with smogger heads? I hate to scrap old car parts that are good or rebuildable. This is just a tired motor. It smokes at start up pretty good, and continues to smoke a little even when warm. I don't know alot of history on it other than it was running when I pulled it out of a truck that had been conveted to Olds gas that had one of the Olds Diesels in it originally.

 

They are good engines that can take some power, but not crazy amounts. The 3A heads are basically junk though.

Guys have been putting descent power down with 403's for years and they have the same webbed mains.

 

My thoughts, FWIW. Windowed webs really aren't an issue at reasonable power levels. But, unlike 403s, 350 came with solid webs 76 and earlier. Cores are plentiful. There really is no reason to build a windowed 350, the cost of drilling out the heads is almost the cost of a block (77-80 350s have 1/2" head bolts). Like Randy stated, 3A heads are worthless.

Obviously, with 403s there is no choice, but it has always been my contention that the large bores and thin Siamesed cylinders are the flaws in a 403.