how do i find...?

I just got a '81 camaro with a 305 in it as a project car(free!!), but the research I've been doing leads me to believe that this motor is basically crap (170 hp?). I want to get maybe a 350 or 327, but I don't know the best(aka cheapest) places to look for a used one. I would like to be able to put a lot of my own sweat into it, so I'm not really looking for a crate motor, but I am a newbie so I don't want to get in over my head. Is there a commonly available package between a bare block and a crate motor? Is there a known place to buy good rebuildable blocks? Is the stuff at the junkyard okay? If so, where should I look.

Do what he said. If you buy it in a running car, you can take it for a test drive and make sure everything is in running order.

You can buy a BRAND NEW motor from gm for like 1300. Then you can sell your 305, buy a cam or something for the 350. They come with (correct me if im wrong) 260 horsepower. Add a cam, intake, carb, and you will easily push 300. Thats a cheap route or buy someone elses car (possibly overreved junk).**)