LKQ runs Ebay specials. If you're not in a hurry, you can find one on the cheap. I have seen them on Ebay at my local LKQ with over 150K in the 300 dollar range. This is with a 6 month warranty, so you know it's a good core. They guarantee it to be a good running engine. That's how I found my 1999 5.0 Ford engine for RobKat. It was 300 even. I rode 45 whole minutes to pick it up. Even got to flirt with the hot internet order chick.
This particular engine had 188K on it and still had good cross hatch in the cylinders. They even included intake, exhaust and wiring harness. If I had a computer, I could have fired it right off on the shop floor when I got home.
I have been tellin all yall this for years now, but it falls on deaf ears. I keep seein people buyin 100 buck motors and gettin stiff with pieces of ****. If you find one at an LKQ it is GUARANTEED to be good. How in the FFFF can you go wrong?
I would even pay 400-600 for a decent lower mileage one. Then, all you need to do is slide you a, bumpstick in it, induction and exhaust of your choice and throw it in.