Considering upgrading from a 350 to a 455 in my '72 Supreme. What's a good ballpark for a motor that's already been redone?
Here's one for sale on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OLDS-...#ht_500wt_1182

 

$1,300 for a non-running OEM-spec. motor that is claimed to have been rebuilt seems a bit high to me, but maybe I'm wrong.

As my Daddy said, "Never buy a pig in a poke."

- Eric

 

That's what I thought...What's a good ballpark for one that actually has been rebuilt--not crazy, but a little warmer than stock? I'm looking for cruising with some punch in the low end.

 

The price will vary with parts and machining and etc. Probably to many varibles to put a firm price on a rebuild.

 

I would have a hard time paying very much money for something with no warrantee, no guarantee of what parts are in it, or what condition its in.

$1k would be about as high as i personally would be willing to wager- since its really a roll of the dice if the motor is't a POS

If you are local to the motor you are looking at, thats a little different story.
If its in a car & running you can go for a ride (and demand to drive it), do a compmression test, look for blue smoke, oil pressure, temps, leaks, etc etc......

if its out of the car, its not unreasonable to ask a seller to drop and oil pan or pull off a head for inspection. That plus recipts would go a long ways toward reassuring me.
I'd spend a little more on a used motor in those situations.

Long distance w/ only photos and the guys word? Its just a total gamble.

 

It all comes down to how much you trust the builder and the seller. Personally I would look at any engine like that as nothing but a core (which means we would never agree on price).

You might try to justify the price based on the value of the aftermarket parts alone. But how can you be sure what machining has been done to them? For example, What if the heads and/or intake manifold have been cut so much that they only work with each other and are no good for any other engine? That really reduces their future value to you.

 

for a ball park figure , to drop an engine like a 350 / 455 Olds to a local shop
to me, and pick it up ready to put in. stock / mild rebuild about $3,000

 

Even if it is running, I would still have to tear it down to see whats in it, and been done. But thats just me. Mine was all original 71 running when stored. No bore or anything. $350.00. I still have all the parts, but I only used the block and crank.

 

I've sold stock motors for $500 and rebuilt ones for $1000, but i always provide paperwork to make buyer feel safe. Maybe you could find a good donor car and take the motor out (running condition) and save up for a rebuild while your still driving. Sell the rest of the car and recover a little coin.

 

My rule is 1000 if i can hear her run. 600 if not. 300 for cores... But then again im a cheap @*&%% lol