[Walt Dupont--Me.]

If that block winds up being good after cleaning you can built it alot cheaper than 5K. You sound like a young fellow that reallly likes to work on old engines. This is good experance for you, It will alway be a good hobby. One example, there is alot of 8BA crankshafts laying around. They will bolt right in that 40 block and use the 8BA rods and you can use the single locking lip rod bearings (just like the sbc ones that you are use to) thay are alot cheaper than the full floating bearings in the 40. Also use the 8BA valve train, alot easier than the mushroom ones. If you do alot of the work yourself you can built that engine for less that 2K. When you have any question just ask on the barn. We'll help you right through it. Walt