Yes, we grew up poor. We would take a good, well taken care of engine and build a "throw together" engine, usually under .005 wear, clean up the block. Torque the mains to spec. Torque a honing plate with a used head gasket onto the block, and hone the cylinders till it would just start to "scratch? the wear at the top of the bore. Next file fit and stone the ring ends on a set of Speed Pro +.005 file to fit rings. New rod and main bearings, rod bolts, high pressure oil pump spring, windage tray, brass freeze plugs, cam, lifters, valve springs, double roller timing set, exhaust valves, gaskets and seals. Mill the heads, tighten up the exhaust guides and do a good valve job. As a matter of fact, that was the 383 engine in my 68 Formula S Barracuda i did in the late 70's or early 80's. It came out of a 72 Newport along with the 727 transmission and 3.23 sure grip gear set from a Highway Patrol car. I'm just pulling it to put the original block back in this year. So what do you think is the problem? I can tell you it ran great, used very little oil and got good mpg for over 100,000 miles. How much money do you think I had in it?