Is this worth it?

-

LilPaul

Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2019
Messages
22
Reaction score
7
Location
Tucson
Local guy posted this for sale is it worth the time and effort? I always wanted to put a 408 in the Duster would this 360 be a good start?if I go look at it what should I be looking for never bought an engine in the torn down state before. Thank you.

Screenshot_20190730-071824.png


Screenshot_20190730-071846.png


Screenshot_20190730-071837.png
 
A 360 block sure is a good start for a 408, though it looks quite rusty and probably was exposed to the elements for a good while.
Shouldn't be a problem but you need to know whether it has been bored already. You can then determine whether it will clean up
with the next bore. When it's 30 over already it probably won't clean up leaving enough meat. Also ask whether the crank has been
ground..
You can safely dispose off the camshaft and timing chain. :) All the rest needs some further inspection. 100$ isn't a lot of money
when the block and "some" other parts can be used.
 
A 360 block sure is a good start for a 408, though it looks quite rusty and probably was exposed to the elements for a good while.
Shouldn't be a problem but you need to know whether it has been bored already. You can then determine whether it will clean up
with the next bore. When it's 30 over already it probably won't clean up leaving enough meat. Also ask whether the crank has been
ground..
You can safely dispose off the camshaft and timing chain. :) All the rest needs some further inspection. 100$ isn't a lot of money
when the block and "some" other parts can be used.

He said it's out of an 87 power wagon and believes to be stock bore
 
Your best bet is to eye ball the parts right in front of you. Bring a machinist or equally qualified person with you to determine there worth.

$100? It’s a great deal if useable. But that would only be the timing cover and maybe the water pump, block & crank if you want to stay @ 360 cubes, oil pan. The rest, for the most part, is junk.
 
Your best bet is to eye ball the parts right in front of you. Bring a machinist or equally qualified person with you to determine there worth.

$100? It’s a great deal if useable. But that would only be the timing cover and maybe the water pump, block & crank if you want to stay @ 360 cubes, oil pan. The rest, for the most part, is junk.
I was thinking if I only want the block. And the rest of the build would be new
 
My experience with 360 blocks is I've bought complete Motors for $50. But, when I did my stroker I simply bought a core block from my machine shop for $150. that way there's no taking chances if a blocks not good and having to buy another one.. you're going to want to pay to have it checked before you have $4-500 worth of machine work done to it...
 
I don't see the main caps and bolts in the pictures! Make sure they're with the stuff.
 
Okay I won't beat around the bush here any longer I wouldn't paid $0.50 for that rusty garbage..
 
Okay I won't beat around the bush here any longer I wouldn't paid $0.50 for that rusty garbage..
Thank you for the bluntness. I was tempted for the $100. If a machinist could save the block but the more I think about it I don’t want that for the power plant in my car. And for not much more I have seen freshly pulled running engines and sometimes with the transmission too
 
Thank you for the bluntness. I was tempted for the $100. If a machinist could save the block but the more I think about it I don’t want that for the power plant in my car. And for not much more I have seen freshly pulled running engines and sometimes with the transmission too
Bide your time. Yes I bought$50 complete Motors and usually yes they do tossed in the transmission as well...
 
Bide your time. Yes I bought$50 complete Motors and usually yes they do tossed in the transmission as well..

Yes, keep looking and you will find a good deal. Sunday, I went with my 2 youngest sons and picked up a complete 360 mag for $300.My middle son bought it. He bought it because it had MP magnum R/T heads! We pulled them off and will probably pressure check them tomorrow, I just need to whittle out some plates to block the water ports with the mag bolt angle .
 
87’ should be a pre magnum roller block. The cylinders and lifter bores would be a concern with all the rust. Offer 50 bucks for everything it’s better than what he will get for scrap. I bought a turn key 360/727 for $300 at a junk yard. They are out there. But for 50 bucks drag it to a machine shop, if it’s bad scrap it and keep whatever is still usable.
 
r t.jpg
If the heads do not have the “R/T” cast into them on the end @ the spark plug, then they ARE NOT the R/T heads.

Thanks Rob, when the seller claimed R/T heads we asked him to send pics of that area. They are the real deal. The young man had a few other parts we picked up at yard sale prices. He had bought an older mustang and was making space in his 1 car garage to work on it.
 
Last edited:
Now there is a set of hard to come by heads. They do really well when ported. By the fine I was ready to get a set, yup! You guessed it, they turned into unobtainable discontinued parts.

Nice score!

Do me a small favor, take a measurement of the exact length, front to back for me will ya?
 
-
Back
Top