A lot of the Pantera guys are now switching to Windsor motors
Cleveland blocks are too thin in many places
I have had a dart block 411 inch (same as a 408 but the bore is slightly
bigger) with brodix heads, billet rods, etc, etc
I buzz it to 7000 all day long been running it for over 10 years on tracks,
cruises etc... my engine builder was a guy I have know for many years
and only does a few a year.. he was at my shop last night
West coast engines.... Had a new guy buy a very modified Pantera $125k
but it had your west coast engine in it... first he lost a rocker and lifter,
His engine builder does his race cars and said it was all cheap stuff
so they fixed and an then lost the chain and a piston
He is doing a complete rebuild and throwing away most of the parts
except the block
If it is cheaper there is a reason.. Mopar guy I know got a 340 stroked
up from a so called Nascar builder in North Carolina... it lasted about
1000 miles before a bearing took a spin.. beware of cheap
The Chevy name you mentioned sounds like a great deal
good builder and pricing tells me it has the good stuff inside
Also a company in Socal .. speed.. something does a nice windsor
roller short block.. my buddy has one in his Pantera and has all the
good stuff inside for a decent price...if you need the name I can find
out as I am not good with names.. have my Pantera jacket with
my name on it in case I get lost
I found out a long time ago if you are just going to cruise around
and hit it every once in a while you don't need to spend too much
If you are going to track, autocross, drag it then you better put
the good parts inside otherwise it will make funny noises quickly
I have blown up over a dozen motors because I could not afford
to do it right
Bob