What to do with my good? SBC engine block!

eddie c · 12-20-2011, 01:46 PM

A couple of years ago I purchased a 1969 Corvette shortblock, its a a 350ci /350hp 4bolt main motor. Upon disassembling the block I found where a wrist pin came loose and put a good scratch up and down the cyl bore. The scratch was to deep to come out in a rebore so the
machinist suggested our only option was to
sleeve the block. The block has been sitting for a few years without
any other work being done on it. I am now considering starting to
gather parts for it and having a stock elim. 350 /255 hp engine built .
My question, if everything else checks out ok on the block, would you consider this a good canidate to build or should I start looking
for a block that has not been sleeved? ed

Alan Roehrich · 12-20-2011, 02:10 PM

There is nothing wrong with a properly installed good quality sleeve. We race sleeved blocks.

However, I strongly suggest you invest in a new Dart block. The cost is much lower than fully prepping a production block, and the Dart block is stronger, it will last longer and make more power.

Lambertcars · 12-20-2011, 03:08 PM

I have a bowtie block in my Super Stock 68 Camaro and it has 2 sleeves and it runs fine, I was not going to discard a bowtie block just because 2 cylinders needed sleeves. I hope this will help.
Allen

Woodro Josey · 12-21-2011, 03:36 PM

Eddie, find someone with a sonic tester and have that done, it will tell you if that 4 bolt block is thick enough to build a class motor out of. It is very, very hard to find a production block, that is thick enough to build. Both Alan and Allen are correct in what they are saying also!

eddie c · 12-21-2011, 05:29 PM

Thanks to all that responded. ed

Greg Reimer 7376 · 12-22-2011, 09:33 PM

Dart block.I just got mine back from Gregg Luneack. Can't wait to assemble this thing and see it run again.Has to be faster than the production block.

12-20-2011, 01:46 PM	#1
eddie c Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southeastern Pa. Posts: 53 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What to do with my good? SBC engine block! A couple of years ago I purchased a 1969 Corvette shortblock, its a a 350ci /350hp 4bolt main motor. Upon disassembling the block I found where a wrist pin came loose and put a good scratch up and down the cyl bore. The scratch was to deep to come out in a rebore so the machinist suggested our only option was to sleeve the block. The block has been sitting for a few years without any other work being done on it. I am now considering starting to gather parts for it and having a stock elim. 350 /255 hp engine built . My question, if everything else checks out ok on the block, would you consider this a good canidate to build or should I start looking for a block that has not been sleeved? ed

12-20-2011, 02:10 PM	#2
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,105 Likes: 1,564 Liked 1,789 Times in 408 Posts	Re: What to do with my good? SBC engine block! There is nothing wrong with a properly installed good quality sleeve. We race sleeved blocks. However, I strongly suggest you invest in a new Dart block. The cost is much lower than fully prepping a production block, and the Dart block is stronger, it will last longer and make more power. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

12-20-2011, 03:08 PM	#3
Lambertcars Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Johns Island SC Posts: 114 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: What to do with my good? SBC engine block! I have a bowtie block in my Super Stock 68 Camaro and it has 2 sleeves and it runs fine, I was not going to discard a bowtie block just because 2 cylinders needed sleeves. I hope this will help. Allen

12-21-2011, 03:36 PM	#4
Woodro Josey Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 805 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: What to do with my good? SBC engine block! Eddie, find someone with a sonic tester and have that done, it will tell you if that 4 bolt block is thick enough to build a class motor out of. It is very, very hard to find a production block, that is thick enough to build. Both Alan and Allen are correct in what they are saying also! __________________ Woodro Josey 2002 STK

12-21-2011, 05:29 PM	#5
eddie c Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southeastern Pa. Posts: 53 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: What to do with my good? SBC engine block! Thanks to all that responded. ed

12-22-2011, 09:33 PM	#6
Greg Reimer 7376 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora,Calif. Posts: 1,135 Likes: 172 Liked 704 Times in 218 Posts	Re: What to do with my good? SBC engine block! Dart block.I just got mine back from Gregg Luneack. Can't wait to assemble this thing and see it run again.Has to be faster than the production block.