You can use about any V-8 chevy made up till 85 was drilled for the front mounts. After that a few came not drilled but not many. 283 would keep the kid in the slower safer new driver range.307 was a good as were the 327s I would stay away from the 305 unless it was low milage,soft cams and 350s used are cheap. If your going to take any of them apart to rebuild the 350 low HP GM crate motor is a nice way too go. Good power,good milage cheap.Run for 100,000 miles with out a lick of problems.
This will not be popular here but i would V-8 low HP for the kid or he might not stay intersted.Dont get nuts guys one of mine still has a inliner but if i was a young one it would be long gone.
Plus he can buy all sorts of after market little stuff used and new dirt cheap.Even free!
