[Dangerous Doug]

Van,
The local machine shop can be very expensive, depending on how much work you want them to do. I researched this for my 289FIA, for I thought I could save some money by getting my own block and having it built up. Not so. The local guy (whom I think smelled money based upon my project) gave me a quote for $7600 for a non-stroker 302 long block assembly with no warranty and no guarantee on HP output! Adding in all the necessary parts to make this offering equivalent to the 342R I could but from Roush Performance, the local guy was MORE expensive (by about $1000) than a better, nastier engine from Roush!

By all means, get a crate engine. Look at Roush (favorite for SPF owners, by the way) or Keith Craft. You can get a nice engine with a guarantee, and you'll know what you're getting. I have a Excel worksheet comparison that I'm working on for 302 based stroker engines. PM me if you'd like to see it.

Keep your engine in your car until you have money in-hand from a buyer. It's worth more when people can hear it run and actively test it.

My $0.02.

DD