i'm about to put a new engine in my 98 talon.. which should l go with?

6 bolts do not have the crankwalk problem that 7 bolts are known for. Supposedly the rods are a stronger on the 6 bolts also. You will need to do some researching on how to make the older engine work in your car. If you are mechanically inclined and do not mind doing a little reading it should not be a problem, if not stick with the 7 bolt.

If your car has an automatic transmission, you should be able to pretty much forget about the crankwalk issue.

6 bolt block

6 bolt. Crankwalk is a major problem with 7 bolts.

crank walk aside the 6 bolt is a better motor it has a forged crank from the factory and can handle way more power thrown at it than a 7 bolt any day and the 7 bolt has the same crank walk issues only they have a sensor at the crank that will get damaged from crank walk, the 6 is don't. I've seen 6 bolts handle 600-700 HP stock bottom end.