Newbie question about used 350

[thebluemax]

A friend of mine has a 350 bored .30 over that he's selling for 500. It's missing the original heads but he has a set that he'll throw in with the engine. He was gonna use it in his truck but found a 383 stroker. Anything I should look at it particular on this engine? I'm kinda wary of buying a used engine but it was rebuild and never installed or barely run from what I understand.

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

put heads on it and do a compression test, I'd be wary about baying a paritally put together motor and 500 seems a bit high

 

[thebluemax]

What should the gauge read on the cylinders?

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

i don't think there's a set value, but all the numbers should be fairly close, i.e. if #1 reads 180 (no clue if that's realistic), the rest should test close to that.

 

[toomany]

i don't think there's a set value, but all the numbers should be fairly close, i.e. if #1 reads 180 (no clue if that's realistic), the rest should test close to that.

My book is showing for around 150psi in the cylinders on a stock motor. With a maximum variation of 20psi between cylinders. I'd say anything more than 130psi with less than 10% variation would be good.

Lots of things can affect cranking compression. Cam selection is one of the bigger ones.

 

[Desert Rat]

Considering you can get a brand new GM crate motor for less than $2k including a warranty, it seems a bit high to me.