[kurtmart]

PJ4myboo.

A complete engine can run in a car but end up impossible to rebuild. The block needs to be sonic tested ( like ringing a bell, if it goes thud instead of ping it's cracked) Also it could already too overbored and not allow enough metal for fresh machining. If you think an assembled short block will take away some of the assembly fun you can source a good straight tested, measured block and start there. I had many tense moments on the 428PI engine I got out of a 60's drag boat. Lucked out on the sonic but had to sleeve two cylinders, not cheap.

Whatever you decide it will cost more than you think , be more fun and satisfying than you could have imagined, and you kids will remember it for the rest of their lives.

What are you waiting for?