What to look for when purchasing a bare engine block?

[73k5blazer]

There's a 502 block on eBay from a personal seller.
It seems a little suspect, the auction properties say used, he says it's never been installed, then says it had a repair.
None the less, used seasoned blocks are just as good as new ones, but I want to make sure I'm not buying a block I can't use.

I'm not exactly close to this guy, but it's only 2.5hours from where I work in Ohio so I could go get it.
Would it be unreasonable for me ask him, if I won of course, to put a deposit, have him take it to a machine shop we agree on, I call said shop and give them my credit card, if it checks out, I pay shop and the guy and go get it, if it doesn't check out I still pay shop, but not him?

Seems like a cluster arrangement, I know. What is to look for when buying bare blocks like this so one doesn't get a bum block?
The 502 blocks are $1774 new from GM, so there's potential to save some $$$, but I'd like to not waste it either.

 

[89yimmiJ]

Not unreasonable at all to have it inspected by an independent shop. Have the shop mag the block and do a general inspection and make that conditional with the seller.

 

[toomany]

I think it's a great idea for you to ask him to take it to a machine shop to get it checked out. As long as he knows you're paying for it, he shouldn't have a problem with it....unless he knows it's bad.

 

[73k5blazer]

I passed him a few questions, he has no issue with my proposed arrangement of paying him a deposit in the amount of the cost of the clean and magnaflux and general inspection and taking it to a machine shop.
He said he bought the block off ebay 4 years ago and never got to his project, it was damaged when he got it and he doesn't know how it was damaged, he had it fixed. it is new, std. bore 502 gen VI block.
Could be a good deal, but looks to be some interest in it which may drive the cost up.

 

[76zimmer]

I would include a pressure check also to make sure it hasn't been frozen in MI.

I had that happen to a 69 427/4bolt that I bought out of a junker for 50$

 

[imiceman44]

There's a 502 block on eBay from a personal seller.
It seems a little suspect, the auction properties say used, he says it's never been installed, then says it had a repair.
None the less, used seasoned blocks are just as good as new ones, but I want to make sure I'm not buying a block I can't use.

I'm not exactly close to this guy, but it's only 2.5hours from where I work in Ohio so I could go get it.
Would it be unreasonable for me ask him, if I won of course, to put a deposit, have him take it to a machine shop we agree on, I call said shop and give them my credit card, if it checks out, I pay shop and the guy and go get it, if it doesn't check out I still pay shop, but not him?

Seems like a cluster arrangement, I know. What is to look for when buying bare blocks like this so one doesn't get a bum block?
The 502 blocks are $1774 new from GM, so there's potential to save some $$$, but I'd like to not waste it either.

I wanted to buy a big rig and it was 10K so I told the guy I want to go get it dynoed and checked out, I paid the dealership $600 to find out the truck had coolant in the oil and blow by was right at the limit of acceptable, I paid the shop and the guy was happy he found out he had a problem without paying for it.
The shop said either blown head gasket or cracked head, either way it wasn't worth it to me.
I say it's a good way to minimise your risk.