Today, dollar for dollar, is the 318 faster than the 340 ???

For 3k any of you dirt poor types can build it. I didn’t bring the power thing into it. Some other dude did. T me reiterate my position because this thread is wandering through the abyss. Point 1. This thread is stupid because of the silly budget limit proposed by the OP. Of course, this one done to make the OP correct in his poll and opinion. Point 2 is I can show you average machine shop prices that will prove that 3k is a stupid budget. I don’t do an engine that hasn’t had the blocked decked or the main line corrected. I just won’t do it. It’s penny wise and pins foolish. I always replace the damper with an ATI or at least a BHJ damper because it’s cheap money. I don’t use OE rods either. You can buy a better rod with 7/16 bolts that are far better than OE for about the same money as rebuilding OE rods. I won’t use a piston with 5/64 rings. I don’t build tractor engines and those rings are terrible. So as I said, add up and pretty simple rebuild and it ain’t 3k. Not even close. Almost forgot. I don’t use OE oil pans either. 4 quarts in the pan is just dumb especially if you want to be hard on the engine. You can buy a really nice Kevco pan for cheap money. Again, OE pans are penny wise and pound foolish. I won’t do it. So maybe this clears it up for you cheapskates. Build it as cheap as you can and then brag about it.

you still miss the point, this isn't meant to be a race motor so doesn't 'need' the extra machining steps you 'always' do. most people putting a budget motor together 'will' reuse stock parts (rods etc), 'won't' have the block decked and mains honed, 'won't' fit a new damper, 'won't' fit a new pan and most likely 'will' use 5/64 rings. we don't all have your budget, it's that simple. it doesn't matter how often you say what you would do, mostly for a budget build it won't happen. we'd all love to afford to build motors your way, but the money isn't there. you just won't accept that so keep throwing the 'cheapskate, dirt poor types' card at the thread. it's boring now.