First thank you as I am in need of help. My recent buy of a 1980 M.B.450slc has a knock and I'm planning a rebuild.My ? is how interchangable are parts with other M.B.engines? Such as the 380,450,500 M.B. v8s.Blocks,heads,cranks,valves,rods,intakes,oil pans,etc. I might keep the original engine to keep it matching numbers for whenever i resale it, but there has to be a hotrod combination to up displacement,larger valves,smaller combustion chamber,rod length,perfered intake,injectors,etc. See where I'm going with this. Small block Chevys are famous for this.Would a 500 short block work with say 380 heads 500 valves and ported to match etc. etc. Any help clarification or imput is needed and apreicated. My goal is a very stock looking 300 to 400 HP. Again thanks!::