cheap LT1 stock rebuild, will this work
 

short block has 75000 on it everything appears fine, I've been reading that I could leave the pistons and rings in and put in new bearings after measuring the rods and the mains to double check wear. The shortblock got to me with the oil pan off so I don't really want to bolt it on and run it as I'm a bit scared of it. I mean I found a leaf in it LOL!

Is this feasible for a mild motor (gasket matched heads/cam)
HV oil pump
new trimetal bearings
and a good clean up of the parts
and of course gaskets and bolts etc

or should I go ahead and pull the pistons and throw new rings in it and hone the cylinders by hand?

as always help is greatly appreciated

How do the cylinder walls look?

BTW, HV oil pump is a waste on a low revving, mild engine. All it will do is cost you horsepower. Go with a stock volume/pressure replacement.

Did you pull the heads yet? If not do a compression test first. That would be the easiest way to tell. If the heads are off check the cylinder walls for unusual wear. New rings are only like 80-100 dollars. If you are unsure relpace them as long as you are in there.
Just my .02
Kory

Man, I can't see rebuilding a motor and not putting new rings in. I would surely do it!

I really figured I should put new rings in it LOL but I had to ask if anyones done it and had it turn out fine. I figured hell If I can save $120 cool, if not oh well.

The motor is currently torn down in my living room and this shortblock looks good besides a few leaves, hence me wanting to take it apart, I rev it to about 6200rpms with this cam and I've had a history with spinning bearings so I figured a high volume pump would be some reassurance, I'd rather it hold together and not be as fast than to be walking until the other motor I'm working on is finished.