72 RS Split Bumper 2nd owner/owned since 1978
Ok, so I'm new here and have a question that may seem stupid. Here goes.

I have a 1972 RS Split Bumper, L65, 350 CI/350Turbo w/ 10 bolt rear, 2bbl. I have had it since 1978, stored for the last 25+ years. Im finally ready to start resto.

In about the mid 80s, it overheated and cracked the heads. I took them off, took the block to a motor shop, and had it redone and then, didnt have the money to pick it up, so they kept my motor. Dont blame them, I was a dumbass kid.

What I'm trying to do, is find out if I can find another 72 L65-- and then have that motor redone.

OR, just get a crate motor and make her beautiful again, with a brand new powerplant.

Not sure what to do here.

I have the original tranny/rear and the rest of the car. Obviously needs paint, and torn down completely, and redone. Which is where I am headed, just wondering if I should find a 72 block and restore her back to original, or, as said earlier, make her a beautiful driver and drop in a crate.

Thoughts?

 

My thought would be to just find a decent 4 bolt main 350 from a pickup truck, and have it rebuilt. If your plans were a concours restoration, then only the original engine would be acceptable. Since that's not an option, any good 350 done up to look original should suffice.
If plans are just a nice driver that you can enjoy, and maybe add a few changes to, then a correct year engine is even less important.