Hey everybody, I'm interested in what you guys think a core 455 or 350 engine is worth? Also how much for rebuild able core heads in your part of the country. I have picked up good core BB engines for $250 in the past. One even came with a Torker intake. I have a chance to purchase a '68 455 short block out of a 98 for $125. It's complete with a hole in the pan thanks to the lazy *** at the salvage yard that decided it was easier than pulling the drain plug. I realize this is a gamble. The block might be junk, or it might have a steel crank., The scrap weight value is $6o. I really don't need this thing, I already have 2 back ups. It's hard for me to resist. As far as core heads, I've seen "C" castings sell for $100-$250 per pair. SB heads are usually $100 or less per pair. So what do you guys think?

 

My mechanic in Kansas City has bought a few lately for $100 each. I think he is getting good deals but they cost so much to build and use so much fuel that there just isn't a lot of buyers. - Steven

 

455 short block for 125 is a good deal with the heads gone you should have a good idea of condition, I'd buy it if it were in my neighborhood.

In this area the volume self service yards punch holes in engine oil pans, transmission pans and differential covers as SOP to drain the fluids.

Henry

 

That's a fair price you could always pull the pan before hand and see what crank you have the 455 I got out if a 98 had the N crank in it not sure on the 68 tho

 

My experience here in the Washington DC area is the same as yours over the last five years or so. BBO short blocks run $150, decent head castings about the same for a pair, or a long block for about $250.

There's a guy on the D.C. Craigslist who's been trying to sell the rustiest, crustiest pair of C heads you've ever seen. He's been running ads for the last year or more, with the price starting at $800 and bouncing between there and the current $350. His latest ad claims that similar heads have sold on ebay for $1000.

These are supposed to be $1000 heads (yes, the photo really is four years old, in an ad dated Apr 11)...

 

There are only going to be less Oldsmobile engines of any size as time goes by, the same goes for anything no longer in production.
If you think the price is fair, and you have the money to spare, I say go ahead and buy it even if you have no immediate use for it, you will be preserving part of an ever diminishing resource.


Roger.

 

Up here they get $300-$500 for a core engine. $300 with J heads and at the higher end for the C,E,G,Ga heads. Non running core for more than that sit on CL forever. I paid $500 8 years ago for a complete 455 core carb to oil pan, with brackets, bell housing, and a flywheel (4 speed crank). Everyone told me I overpaid.

 

I use to get more for them 15 years ago than now. I wouldn't even dig one out for less than $400. At least I'll never run out of engines. You should buy imo. Ken

 

picked up a 455 last year w 400 trans for 100, it was headed to scrap. Supposedly still runs.

 

Ya, us Olds guys are cheap. Lol Now those Buick guys, their even worse. Ken

 

Thanks for your input guys. I think I will offer them $100, being the cheap bastard I am.