butt no main caps = big deal. and theres a big price to matching new or used main caps to a used block, more of a job than just adding caps and line boring. both machine shops said those used main caps on ebay for about nothing, are worth just that Nothing.
to put used or splayed caps on a block its more of a job than line boring, by the time a machine shop makes a set of caps fit splayed or not, your looking a $700 bill they said putting on 4 bolt splayed main caps on a 2 bolt main block and making them fit it's $600 to $700, line boring is only $160, machine shop said unless it's a special block or a block needed for a restoration thats #s matching, ***** can then for scrap iron. the big deal is making them fit, not line boring, plus theres a chance after all that a timing chain problem . i called 2 different machine shops, same story.
i have a buddy that has been rat holing SBC Blocks to the tune of more than 18 of em, all are good #s 4 bolt main 350s, and all with left hand dip sticks ,and has around a dozen 400 4 bolt mains, plus has 7 or 8 400 2 bolt main blocks, and a dozen or more 396 & 454 BBC Blocks. and heads ect. hes in he office of a salvage yard, butt started collecting when he was out in the yard taking cars apart. he don't want to get rid of any, butt said hes got my back, offered me a 35k mi 400 2bolt main block, if i don't end up with anything else. so i'm looking butt not to worried, Now
you guys that don't believe me, the main cap-less 4 bolt main 350s #3970010 blocks with 010 020 under timing chain, are in north platte Ne. there 4 of em $75ea.... one bare 3970010 01 020 block is only missing front cap plus theres a couple 305s and one 350 4bolt main 3970010 010 020 long block my bros is using.
Mustangsaly