I think you need to find another mechanic if that's what he said and the price he quoted. You can't even remove an engine for $300, much less rebuild a short block. If the engine was running at all (without knocking, smoking or overheating), you don't need a short block rebuild..... period. His comments should have been directed to the other issues.

Frank

'89 [color:"white"]G-Raider[color:"white"] [color:"black"]Supercharged 3.0L, MegaSquirt 2, lockup A/T, 2.5" exhaust, 172k, Cibie H4s/Oscar SCs, Hella Micro DE fogs, Cobra CB, Superwinch hubs, LSD rear/Aussie Locker front, Bilsteins, Lifeline AGM, Rust-Oleum