Some "Junkyard Jewels" to consider.....

We all talk a lot about numbers-matching cars, and we talk a lot about the high-performance crate engines that GM, Ford, Chrysler, Edelbrock,and places like Smeding and Blueprint engines offer. But the fact is, there are a lot of people restoring or restifying old musclecars that don't have the original engine, and don't have a chance of finding one-( Where are you going to find a 327 Chevy with 1962 date codes or a 406 Ford with 1963 codes for sale, at any price? ) and can't afford a mega-buck crate engine. Their only solution is to find a SIMILAR engine of the same family and build that. Here's some that are relatively plentiful in junkyards that make a good base for a hot rod engine and that no one will know isn't original unless you tell them, or they crawl under the car and check the numbers on the block. Obviously a lot of people are going to build 350 Chevys to go where a 283 or 327 once rested or a 302 or 351W in place of a 289-duh. I'm talking about some that people might not think of, but would work great. Here's some diamonds you may find a deal on.  # 1. 400 Pontiac. Just about every Pontiac built from 1967-78 had a 400 under the hood. Since Pontiac engines are externally identical from a 326 to a 455, you could put one in a '63 Gran Prix, a '68 GTO, or a 73 Firebird and no one would know it didn't grow there. Great aftermarket support-Kauffman and Edelbrock offer aftermarket aluminum heads, and Eagle and others offer stroker crank kits to turn a 400 into a 455. If you have a 389,421,428 or 455 by all means use it. But if your searching to buy a used Pontiac engine- the 400s are the most plentiful. # 2. 390 Ford. These were used in just about every full-size and mid-size Ford from 1963-70, and were used in trucks until 1976. An "FE" series-they look like a 352 or a 406 or a 428. This way-if your building a tri-power '63 Galaxie, a Thunderbolt clone, a "Bullitt" replica, or a GT500 clone, no one will know it's not original. Good aftermarket support-aluminum heads are available from Edelbrock and cams, headers, intakes, etc are plentiful. # 3. AMC 360. Used in Jeep Grand Wagonneers until 1992-these are relatively plentiful in junkyards. Decent aftermarket support-aluminum heads, cams etc are available. If your restoring a Javelin / AMX or Rebel Machine, that doesn't have the original 390 / 401-this may be your only choice. # 4 Ford 351-400M. Used from 1975-82 in zillions of cars, trucks and vans, these can make big power if their built right. Good aftermarket support-Edelbrock makes intakes and cams for them, and if you can't find a 351C, these might be the next best thing. They have the the same bellhousing bolt-pattern as a 351C, and a 429 / 460-so swapability is good. I'd look for a 351C or buy a 351W and put aftermarket "Cleveland" heads and intake on it to make a clone "Boss" 351 / "Clevor",  But if your car has one of these engines in it, or your short on cash and can buy one for a couple hundred bucks to rebuild because you can't find the 351W or 351C, their good, solid performers that make big-block like torque at a small-block price. # 5. 1990-up MKV Chevy "Rat" motor. These are plentiful in junyards in trucks, vans, suburbans, etc. The "Peanut" heads breathe plenty good for a street engine that's never going to see the high side of 6,000 rpm. When you have 454 or 502 cubes, pumping out 500+lbs ft of torque, you don't need to rev to 8 grand. There's tons of aftermarket support so you can build these anyway you want, really. I mention them because these engines can be bought way cheaper than a used MKIV 396, 427 or 454. If your on a tight budget, this may be the only way you can afford a Rat motor for that Chevelle or Camaro of your dreams. And they don't leak oil like the old ones.  # 6. 1992-up Dodge "Magnum" V8s. Gazillions built, as besides Dodge trucks they were used in Jeep Cherokees for several years. 318 or 360 cubes, but obviously the 360s are more desirable for performance work. The upside is the "Magnum" heads breathe better than any factory Mopar head and some aftermarket ones, and they will bolt up to the older-1971-91 blocks, but you'll need a Magnum style intake. No worries-Edelbrock offers dual and single-plane Magnum-compatible intakes. A great way to have a powerful, low-budget small-block for your Duster or Cuda / Challenger. # 7. 403 Olds V8. Although they were only built from 1977-79, they were GM's "Corporate" big block at the time and were used in millions of Old, Buick and Pontiac models, so there's a lot of them around. Externally identical to a 350, but you get the extra torque of 53 more cubes. Could be dynamite in an early Cutlass / F85 or a '73 or 74 Omega, or other light car.  Anyhow, I thought these sometimes overlooked gems might be the only choices for some people on a limited budget that still want high performance and to look original. Mastermind