I think I am going to be looking for a fair sized V8 in the near future. My engine seems dead, and my baby looks like she's going to be a project for a while. Figured since I'm rebuilding an engine, maybe I'll do a V8 swap while I'm at it (though funds are LOW at the moment). I know I'll need custom motor mounts (BRIEN, I NEVER DID HEAR ANYMORE ABOUT THOSE???) and it'll be a bit of work, but when isn't fixing a siezed engine. I'm in Michigan thumb area (Lapeer), and actually already have anoffer to sell me a 304 w/ a 727 (can I pull off the output and drop on my tx-case?) for $500 downstate iirc. But I'd really like to larger, I think the 360 is the biggest that will fit. The other option is, of course, rebuild my 258, figure since it'll be out and I have headers for it already; all the other integral components are already there too. Probably have it bored a touch and maybe head decked a little,so it goes together solid .)... So I'm not sure... Either way, I have a GM TBI throttlebody (4.3L - difference is injectors) and a Megasquirt (nice, look them up if you can build electronics) ECM that were about to go in, so the carburation difference in years on V8s is irrelevant. I don't know much about the V8s, so you might be able to give me some help on deciding there too.. So, here's the story: All along my engine has seemed to cook off a little oil; when I needed to add oil at a gas stop (on long trips) there was always a bit if oil steam or smoke in the valve cover. For a while, my oil consumption has been slowly getting worse; but I figured it was due to the leaks in the valve cover and the oil leaving into my air filter. Well, after I went up north and back, it ran rough for 1 trip, and then wouldn't stay running, but it sounded like a timing issue to me (I've had worn rod bearings before). So I adjusted the timing and got it to stay running, well after a few secmds, I noticed smoke/steam coming from the engine (it's very windy at my new house) so I shut off and dumped a quart of used oil in (it was a touch low and to cool it). I then attempted to restart my engine... nothing but a high pitched electric whine. So I tried to turn it oner manually... only succeded in tightening the pulley bolt. BAD SIGN. THANKS FOR ANY HELP, -Greg Z -again w/ an '86 AMC EAGLE paperweight, probably going to be stored covered on the driveway, or in the garage