A couple examples of freshened up Pontiac V8s.
This one is a 455 with a completely untouched factory lower end. I removed the number one main cap and inspected the bearing, it looked so good I didn’t bother checking any more bearings:
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...5&postcount=19
A low compression 400 that did see a set of rings and bearings in the lower end but nothing more in the short block:
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&postcount=22
You can do a lot of improvements and have a good runner without having to do a complete machining job if your lower end is still in decent shape.
Been there, done that and had fun doing it.
