Restoring 88 Suburban

[Cin7654]

I am having the 383 Stroker that is already in this truck rebuilt. The question (so far) is the block. There is a piece that is broken off at the bottom of one of the cyl. sleeves and it looks like another is starting to crack. I have been told that the majority of old blocks are like this and it was not a problem since the piston never touches that area. Since this is a restoration, I don't know whether to use it or lose it. Would the block even be considered still under factory specs?

[Mike G]

First off, welcome aboard!

 

Secondly.. Why is the engine in need of a rebuild? If it needs rebuilt, is there enough left in the block to even keep it. If one of the skirts is already cracked, you need that removed before even considering putting the motor back together. Is the shop you are using trusted? I would see where the block is as far as machining specs before worrying about the cylinder skirts. Then have them all machined the same for security reasons.

Just my $.02's, --Mike

[nhproxr]

Yeah I built a 350 4-bolt that had broke a rod and busted a cylinder skirt. A good shop can possibly save it. MIne was pressure tested for leaks, deburred, bored 030" over and was good to go. Ran the thing 30k miles trouble free before I got rid of it and still saw it on the road in the area for years afterward.