Well today I started tearing down the '68s engine, getting ready to pull it. I figure another hour or two tomorrow and it'll be ready to come out. Then I just gotta get a hoist and coordinate a day when a buddy can give me a hand, hopefully within a week or so.
Anywho, I need a short block. I basically want the block, rotating assembly, cam+lifters, and timing chain. I have a set of closed chamber 289 heads that are going on the engine, an '84 Mustang GT aluminum intake and a Holley carb... And the rest of the accessories and whatnot from my old engine. I asked at my local parts store and they could get me one with the block and rotating assembly for $1,200... That seems a bit steep for just a stock block and rotating assembly. Doesn't even include a cam, lifters or timing gear/chain set. I know I could get a long block for that price with a 3 year warranty at Pep Boys and some other large parts stores, but I've heard the quality is questionable.
I'm not looking to make tons of power. Compression will be a bit high at maybe 180 PSI due to the closed chamber heads, but I won't be making huge amounts of power. The intake is just like my stock intake but aluminum and accepts a 4 barrel carb. The carb is only a 500 CFM I believe. The thing will never see over 5,000 RPM and won't be beat on much, just looking for a bit more pep for my daily driver Galaxie, so I believe a stock 302 bottom end ought to be fine.
If anyone can recommend a good place to get a short block at in the Philadelphia area (I'm about 2 minutes from Cherry Hill, NJ) I would appreciate it. I don't need a built up block, just a stock 302 short block put together well and with decent quality parts at a fair price. I would expect this engine to last at least 200,000 miles. I don't have a real problem with spending $1,200 on a short block, but first I'd like to know that it's worth it for what I'm getting. Anyway, I don't know any places to get a short block so if anyone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.
Cory