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Lots of good info posted (and some bench racing, and bickering).

IMO, if you keep it to 800 hp and stay away from the nitrous it will last a reasonable amount of time. But you have to find a block with good cylinders and change the main caps, and a girdle would fit your needs. A 511 CID is all you need (4.250" stroke, 4.375" bore).

But I can't argue with the benefit of spending $1000 more and having a World Products (MP) block.

$ 250 a good sonic checked 400 block (might cost more to find 1 of 7)
$ 400 normal machine work (bore, hone, deck, clean, etc).
$ 375 Aluminum main caps
$ 400 Machine and fit main caps
$ 200 ? Girdle
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$1625

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Caps and Girdle from BCR is $800+ shipping.
440 Source Girdle is $279 Which include bolts.

So lets do some Math..
Say you locate a good "230" Block and get it for a steal at $200.

So..
-$200 Block
-$800BCR main girdle cap package
-$1625 for basic machine work as Jim Posted.
-$90 for Hard Block
-Say you have another $150 for additional labor, cam bearings installed, mag'n, stroker clearance, hard block filling etc

Now we have $2865 in this near 40 year old block.
Even if you had the block, and didnt inquire additional labor.
Thats still over $2500..
It doesnt make sense to have this money in a stock block, only to have it split a cylinder 3 seasons down the road and trash the whole engine..

IMO Girdle's, aluminum main caps, nor hard block seem to keep a block from splitting cylinders. I know this as pure fact not speculation.

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