What is the budget and expectations for this engine? Have you priced surplus used engines? Just suggesting you look at all options first including crack repairs.
I bought this engine to replace my 6.2 in my 84 k10. The truck is only used to tow my dirt bikes around so I didn't plan on building it up much more than stock. The 6.5 I found was complete but had a blown head gasket. I know the cracks are save able with the lock not stitch but I'm unsure if the cracks I have are to much....
drill out the hole, cant get that pic to upload, tap the hole with special tap View attachment 43131 install the insert, not the odd thread pitch almost like Velcro how they attach View attachment 43132 after insert is fully seated you drill small hole for the lock pin right through the threads so they cant back out View attachment 43133 the finished product View attachment 43134 I just hit it with a large file to make sure every thing was smooth, I had this truck motor apart 7000mi after putting this in (snapped the crank, must have had a crack that wasn't caught) and everything was still good, had the pan off 13k mi after that (wrecked the truck and was putting engine in a different one) and every thing looked good and truck is running strong today