There is no oil pan issue when using the proper oil pan and radiusing the rear cap to give yourself a little extra clearance. That goes for either the MOW or IE block.
The MOW take me significantly more time to prep over the IE or Sportsman block, and it is much heavier.
The main differences are
MOW has 1/2" main studs vs IE and Sportman have 7/16" bolts
MOW needs custom length or atleast non shelf kit length head studs, they are recessed into the block an additional .600". ARP head stud kit will be around $150.
MOW needs significant grinding to get ANY motor mount on the block.
MOW has doweled mains, DART doesnt...they both use the same billet caps.
If you get the MOW just make sure you put some screws in the extra head bolt holes that you are not using as they have seeped on me in the past.
I like both blocks and would build either for any healthy combo, the Sportsman is a great block for the money and will accept a stock lifter and dogbone assembly. The MOW and IE needs a linked bar lifter....
The IE comes with freeze plugs, cam plug (special size for a DART) and coated cam bearings...none of the other blocks do.
Availabilty from either source can be sketchy at times...
