Guys thanks for your words of wisdom I am leaning on pulling the rest of the engine out at this point because I don't know the history of the motor. I have been calling around here in Los Angeles and I am get quotes between $750 to $1200 for a short block. Most of the shops will not give me a firm price until they see the condition of the short block. I can understand their reasons but once you drop the short block off how do you keep from getting hosed? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />