[hannes_slanec]

Hello, I have made a killer deal for a World Product Merlin X 10.200" tall deck bare block.

That is a raw casted block that will need to be done all of the screw threads
and machining like the

Main Caps

Head bolt bores

Tranny flange (how it looks)

Water pump screw threads

must get sleeved

square decked

align honed

freeze pluged

torque plate bored and mole honed

need the bearings


and what ever else.

Who know a good, cheap, and competent on such work, machine shop who can do that?

The seller have to measure it out before but he is almost sure that the raw bore is 4.49".

What displacement do you recommend for a 68 Impala with 4l80E and 12 bolt posi?

My friend said: Man, what a quesiton - the biggest possible (should be 632cid on that block ), but I dont know, what is your opinion members?

The price of a 540cid, 598cid, 604cid or 634cid is nearly the same so with which one to get along is my confusion.


If there is any machine shop in the forum, I need the FAIR offers right now for machining and a rotating assembly matching that block.

So if you want the order come in touch by bow-tie@gmx.at right now.



Hannes

[Rick WI]

I think I'd walk away from that deal. If that is a good rough core, which is a gamble, you are looking at a ton of money to get that block ready for prime time. Maybe Carl could give you a rough idea what it would take to get that block in shape but I suspect you won't be saving much, if any, money in the end.

You are looking at a ton of machining and setup time. It won't be cheap.

[hannes_slanec]

What is your estimation?

I have bought a 540cid that has been fully machined like the Merlin would need it except of the windings.

Every think what the Merlin would need has been done to it, it is even sleeved
and I have paid 3200$ including the 4bolt main block and a forged, balanced assembled rotating assembly and most of you stated it is actually not that cheap.
The 540 was even oven cleaned, magna fluxed, shot peened and sonic checked and after all blueprinted.

So the machining of the Merlin should not be more than what I have paid for the 540cid as I bring the block and no checking and restoring work is necessary.

What do you think?


Hannes

[Rick WI]

I would not even venture a guess. There is no way to even tell if that casting has even been heat treated yet. Doesn't look like it.