360 build.

So I have a 1979 360 from a Motor Home. 42,000 miles. It was running sweet before it was removed.

Its gonna go into my A Body Charger as the 340 in there is smoking badly on two cylinders and needs a full rebuild but that will take time and much more money that I can spare right now.

But I really dont want to spend any more time and money on it that I have to as it will only be in for a year or so. I dont mind spending some cash but I really do want to keep the cost and effort down. So Im gonna ask some weird questions if thats ok? :D



I have a Canton Sump, Pick-up and Dipstick coming in the Mail soon. From an extraordinarily nice guy in Ireland who point blank refused to take payment for it. (Hi Nick if you're on here)

I have a set of 587 heads with 2.02" Valves that I will mildly port before swapping out. They where freshly rebuild before I bought them a couple of years ago. I have a bunch of porting goodies just arrived from Summit that Im looking forward to playing with. Like my last set of 587's I'll shave the heads .060" and use the Fel-Pro .040" Head Gasket.

I have a 360 Fel-Pro Engine Gasket set.

I'll use the Weiand Action Plus Intake and Holley 670cmf Street Avenger Carb from the 340 as they work well on the 340.

I have a nice set of Headers on the 340 now that will Bolt right up.

When the old heads are off Im hoping to find minimal if any wear. Does anyone know what I can expect from a low mileage 360 thats had an easy life in a Motor Home?

As I'll have the 360 on the Engine Stand Im considering swapping the cam out. Maybe a Comp Cams 268H? Its not a huge expense and then Id replace the Timing Chain as well.

But my main reason for this post/question is how stupid is it of me to consider changing out the Pistons/rings if the Bores are clean and show no signs of wear? I know its lazy and I know that if a jobs worth doing its worth doing properly. But I simply want to bolt in a few parts and get it installed. If I have to strip the block to the bare minimum and start adding machine costs I'll just end up changing the Sump, Heads, Carb and Intake.

Anyone done this before?

Thanks all.