It sounds like you need to stop doing anything on this car untill you have done a whole lot of reading. Im not trying to put you down, but you obviously know nothing about engines and are running around like a chicken with its head chopped off. Look through this site, and magazines etc, untill you get some knowledge, and definitely don't take the word of a mechanic whi says you need a new block. Unless you have had catastrophic engine failure, you may (at worst) simply need a rebuild.

 

Ok im keeping the original 289 anyone know where i can get a decent rebuilt engine that will still have lots of ponies to play with i have about 2,000

 

for 2k you can rebuild the 289 it have plenty of power for a 3000 lb car