[DeTomaso] how much $ is a 351 C 4 bolt block usually

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/7/09 11:52:08 AM, claywillmott at hotmail.com writes:

> I am looking at a few 351 C blocks, what is the usual going rate for a 2 
> bolt and four bolt main block if in good condition?
> 
"Good condition" is the key phrase here. There's really no way to know 
whats there until the engine is torn down, degreased, sonic-mapped & 
crack-tested. So a $50 junkyard block might cost $350 by the time you have all this 
stuff done, and you can still wind up with a boat anchor. Or you can buy a 
higher priced block thats had some or all of the mentioned work done- its kind 
of a crapshoot with Cleveland blocks. The critical work is sonic mapping & 
crack-testing.
I'd definitely stay away from ANY overbored blocks you might find. IMHO, no 
351C should be bored AT ALL unless you've seen the sonic map that says the 
cylinder walls aren't paper-thin indicating terminal core shift. My oft-told 
story on this is of an 0.030"-overbored Pantera block that backfired on the 
starting line during an autocross, and that little pop blew a 50¢-piece 
sized chunk of thin cylinder wall into the water jacket! NOS, never-run 351-C 
blocks often have cyinder walls so thin, racing Chev engine builders shudder 
to see them.... And its really only recommended to sleeve one cylinder on 
each bank, for a total of two maximum. Caveat Emptor- J Deryke