Ok the temptation is to great I can't resist.
First off. You didn't get screwed, instead you screwed yourself, I mean cmon man think about?
Did you do any comparitive shopping?
Did you do the math? Calcualting the gas money it would take to drive there and back plus van rental fees? Did you check the local junkyards for a running 350? Chances are you drove past hundreds on the way there.
800 bucks maybe was on the high side, but think about what you got?
A std bore 400 4 bolt, highly deseriable block around my parts.
A bare one would bring 300 to 400 easy, not to mention those choice double hump heads all the stock dirt racers are looking for. I could get 200 bucks for them alone.
A good 350 turbo tranny which I'm sure you could sell in local paper for a couple hundred bucks.
Lastly, It was a high mileage, 36 year old motor sold as is. What the hell? You were expecting it to be a tight motor with no blow by?
Not that's just too funny. Believe me, you really opened ur self up for critisism here man, sorry no pity party for you on this one,
can you feel the love? Welcome to the forum. Charles