I wouldn't be afraid of a well repaired block. I ran a 426 hemi with a 6 inch piece of ford Y block in between the main webs on one side for 3 years at over 8,000 RPM. Best free block I ever seen.

I also have a question about a cracked block. The block is a 010 020 with billet caps and has been filled. I got it from a good friend that was getting out of racing and it just needed a sleeve. Had the sleeve put in and ran it with my dartbuick stuff and kept having sealing problems on the cylinder that was sleeved. Finally after numerous teardowns and putting orings in the heads i found two cracks running from the head bolt hole too the number 4 and 6 cylinder. Can this be welded up redrilled tapped and decked or is it a boat anchor.

sounds very involved, and expencive. Hard to know not looking at it. David.