LTnone

I already posted this in the 351 forum, so sorry for the repost, but I figured that it's a general enough question and more people will probably see it here. Anyway, here goes:
I'm looking at a short block 351 that a guy wants $700 plus shipping for. It was professionally built and I know why he's getting rid of it, it has 20 miles on it. The description is as follows:
351w shortblock (.040) over 11:1 200cc SilvoLite Dome Pistons, Stock Crank, Stock Rods rebuilt, All A.R.P bolts, comes with oil pan and motor mounts, High volume Oil Pump, New Timing Chain and Gears, Comp cam SOLID FLAT TAPPET CAM, cam specs are 598/598 lift and 262 duration at .050 306 advertised comp grind number 306s-10 Lifters are NEW Lunati Solid lifters, the motor comes with everything listed above plus new harmonic balancer and pulleys has timing cover on it, ALSO comes with Victor Jr 351w intake and pushrods for the motor also. just slap your heads and carb on it and go.... I made 456hp with this set up in my car with a well worked over set of c9 ford heads this is a nice motor $700.00 plus shipping

Is there anything I should look out for or ask him? Could anyone venture a guess as to whether it would be a good buy or not? Thanks

tinman

I've built a couple 351W type engines.
I do not doubt the HP level.
I do not like the piston choice....
it may not be a bad deal but do you have the rest of the equipment that you'l need to go with it to make it 'work' right?
The 351W swap into the Fox body anyway can be more expensive than you think....... you need ..........
Headers$400+
Oil pan $300+
Good dizzy $250+
Torque convertoer $???????
Thats just the minimum too......

LTnone

What is it about the pistons that you don't like?

So far, I'm expecting to be buying the following:
Trans/Clutch/Bellhousing
Engine Mounts
Headers
Distributor
Flywheel/flexplate
Possibly a hood.

This should be everything, combined with what he's including. Am I mistaken on anything?

tinman

There is commonly more HP made from flat-top type......