318 Rebuild suggestions?

You may, and it was one. That particular engine was a generic motors 350, but it was still assembled with the same level of care and cleanliness as the other two which were purchased from a local whole engine reman warehouse. They did most of their machining in house with older sunnen machines.

I'm well aware auto zone only markets products, I never implied anything to the contrary. I did ask the manager where they sourced their engines. At the time, he stated a place in Arizona that was contracted to build x number of x type of engines...they also sourced a few from DFW area and he mentioned some others that I can't recall now...

Like I said, YMMV.

OP: do what you want, make your choice, spend your money on a choice you can live with...pay attention to all details regardless of which direction you go, buy a book, read and understand it before assembling anything, and ask questions.