Looking for assistance in determining fair selling price of my 350 Rocket engine and all parts - starter, alternator, everything attached to block. Going to make swap to big block. Have 350 currently in car and running nicely. 38k original miles.


Thank you

 

Is it a factory W31? The balancer and carb would probably be the most valuable parts.

 

supposed to be factory w31, but I can't 100% guarantee that.....just purchased the car in Jan - how would I confirm that for the buyer?

 

$500
where is it?

 

Are you reselling this car? I'm sure the experts will chime in on identifying the motor to the car. The stamped date code below the driver's cylinder head front, on the flat pad, is a start. Also check the number on the carb. Is it an aluminum intake?

 

Located just outside New Orleans

 

Not reselling car. just no need for me to keep engine and tranny. I'll check the stamped date and carb and intake...Thanks

 

OK, I'll say it. If this is a REAL W31 car with the original engine and trans, selling that drivetrain and swapping the engine is a big mistake. That probably cuts the value of the car by a least 50%.

 

Only 38,000 miles!!!! I'll take 2!

 

Stamp....looks aluminum

 

Appreciate all your input

 

Those photos aren't particularly useful. The intake is reproduced and bolts on to any small block Olds. The oil fill cap is a newer one from the 1980s.
A photo of the harmonic balancer is important. These were unique to the W31 motors. The heads should be #6. The VIN derivative will tell you the year of the block and whether or not it matches the VIN.

This is a W31 balancer.




This is a normal 350 balancer





This is where you'll find the VIN derivative.

 

Thanks. I'll get pics.....

 

Why not do a 425 ci stroker of the original 350 motor? As said, a big killer of value, stroking the original, numbers matching motor will be the best of both worlds.

 

It's about 99% chance it's a normal 350.

 

OK! And the number is 30M181741. Who has the Book of Knowledge?

 

It's a 1970 Lansing-built 350. Does that VIN derivative match the VIN?

 

Yes. VIN is 336870M181741

 

i agree with joe,if it has the w-31 balancer and carb do not sell it.

 

If the car checks out as a W-31, keep it whole. What kind of transmission is it? If it's an automatic, that might make it easier to verify.

 

Car is automatic now - TH350. Posi rear 3.90 (3.91?)

I'll check carb tomorrow and try to take pics of harmonic balancer that is visible......

Thanks all!!

 

Does the car have the OAI hood?

 

"Now"? Does that mean it's not the original transmission? Reason I ask is, if the transmission ID plate is coded "JO" and the VIN derivative matches, that's pretty much ironclad proof it's a W-31 car -- unless it's been monkeyed with.

 

Car has original TH350 in it now. Has Ram air hood.

 

So the next question is, what is the two letter trans code on that TH350, and does it also have a VIN derivative that matches the VIN?

 

I will check the Tranny number tomorrow Joe. Number easy to see?

Thank you ALL for the help and education

 

That would be Joe for one. Just saying...

 

The TH350 VIN derivative is on a pad on the driver's side above the pan rail.





The trans code is on the accumulator cover. Unfortunately, this can be swapped pretty easily.

 

As Joe indicated via referencing of the VIN derivative location(s). Take note of the location of the TH350 VIN derivative stamp from the image (above) by referencing other tell-tale features/locations on the transmission. You will be hard pressed to find the number w/ the transmission installed, but you CAN find the number. Just don't expect it to pop right out at you. It's located just above the lower rail housing of the transmission and set back from the edge of that rail about ~1". Suggestion: Use a small handheld flashlight and a small mirror to see over that edge. It's tough getting your head high enough to view the VIN derivative stamp.

 

It's tough to capture a picture (mine is most likely out of focus), but it's achievable. Here's a closeup.

 

Roger and thank you.

 

So, was this just a Halloween prank?

 

No prank. Still doing research - checked carb number, damper, intake, build plate, etc.... have to check the tranny still.

 

Okay, well at this point the transmission is the key to confirming what you have.

 

Anything ever happen here, Bob?

 

Guess not. What a shame.

 

no, but still going forward with engine/tranny change... will post info next time under car or when we pull it - May

 

Okay, so you never bothered to check the transmission for the VIN derivative or the JO code, but you're going to go ahead and pry a possible factory W-31 apart to shove in a 455 or an LS or whatever it is, thereby significantly reducing the value of an important collector vehicle? That about right?

You're just messing with us, aren't you?