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Value of 69 350 Rocket Engine?

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Old June 14th, 2011, 11:32 AM
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Value of 69 350 Rocket Engine?

I have 2 complete (carb to oil pan)1969 Olds 350 Rockets
Both of these motors were pulled with under 100K and in good running condition. Both are stamped "M" produced in Lansing Mich?
I have had these motors stored inside for over 10 yrs.
Both are free and to my knowledge all original (never rebuilt)
Both motors are equipped with the hard to find #5 heads
In addition I have an Edelbrock Performer 350 Olds Alum. Intake (#3711)
Brand new Chrome Olds. Valve covers and oil tube
Original 4 and 2 barrel intakes, misc. starters, hei and non hei distributors,
alternators, brackets, and old style power steering pump.
I have seen a motor on Ebay with same numbers and heads with two barrel goin for $1200 needing rebuilt.
I was just posting to see what anyone thought on value and if anybody might be interested in taking these motor off my hands,
Any comments or suggestions on the value of these motors would be great.
Thanks again
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Old June 14th, 2011, 12:02 PM
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I bought one for $250 about 2 months ago and had to drive a 1000 miles to get it.
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Old June 14th, 2011, 12:06 PM
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Where are you located?
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Old June 14th, 2011, 12:15 PM
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Lincoln NE, I would be willing to deliver some distance or meet if there is a potential buyer. I know the year 68-69 are the hard to find high nickel blocks and #5 heads. This is what separates these 350 rockets from the rest which are fairly easy to find. Someone correct me if im wrong...
And the fact they both have under 100K and probably could be dropped in the way they sit.
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Old June 14th, 2011, 12:27 PM
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The higher-nickel content thing is almost certainly a wive's tale, but the earlier 350s, esp. the higher comp/output ones would probably command a premium over the '71 and later versions.
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Old June 14th, 2011, 12:41 PM
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I paid $50 this winter for a 1976 350 that would have run fine, but I took it apart anyway without trying to start it.

A guy on this list just sold a hopped-up, running-in-the-car 350 with a built transmission for a few hundred (I don't remember the exact amount, maybe Aces wants to chime in).

$1,200 seems just a wee bit high to me.

- Eric
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Old June 14th, 2011, 03:46 PM
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I think all 68-69 350s had #5 heads
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Old June 14th, 2011, 05:27 PM
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That engine on EBAY has been for sale for a long time and there is another ding dong on there trying to get $1800 for a rebuilder.
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Old June 14th, 2011, 05:30 PM
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I've seen 350's locally for $50-250..not hard to find.
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Old June 15th, 2011, 07:40 PM
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So most everyone thinks around $250 or so. But would drive 1000 miles to get one. So I beg to differ on the $250. $1200 may be high but I have seen heads go for more than $250 let alone they were not #5 heads.
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Old June 15th, 2011, 08:01 PM
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Originally Posted by cabillesbach
So most everyone thinks around $250 or so. But would drive 1000 miles to get one. So I beg to differ on the $250. $1200 may be high but I have seen heads go for more than $250 let alone they were not #5 heads.
I drove a 1000 miles to get it because I live in Idaho and couldn't find one anywhere and I choose a weekend that my wife had a very loud obnoxious friend coming over for the weekend and I thought the road trip sounded better.
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Old June 15th, 2011, 09:51 PM
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A couple of years ago, you could get $100 per head for #5's.
I think the info on 442.com posted up years and years ago, had a lot to do with that though, since many people were ignorant about all of the castings.

Now with wonderful internet sites like this, people are more informed about everything, which is good for us oldsmobilers.... knowledge wise.
but a double edged sword for sellers.

Bottom line is, all the small block heads from 1965-1972 are all pretty much equal as far as performance goes. The #5 only makes a big difference if someone needs a "date correct" application for a 68 or 69 factory restoration.

If someone who just wants to go faster is the buying party, and numbers are not an issue, there are so many options available it diminishes the value.
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Old June 15th, 2011, 09:58 PM
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If one of your 68-69 motors is a hi-compression 4 barrel motor, and in good unmolested shape, it will be worth more.
You can tell by looking at the piston tops through a spark plug hole. If it looks to have more than a 5cc dish in it, then it's nothing special, unfortunately.

The 71-72 motors had lousy piston dishes, but good heads. The 73-76 motors had decent pistons, but lousy heads.
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Old June 15th, 2011, 10:32 PM
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Depends on the condition and what's included.

I just sold my 1970 Rocket 350 with #6 heads for $1500 carb to pan.
Got a dyno done that showed ~300hp 425ft lbs @ the crank,
only revved to 5,000rpm to be safe. So legs weren't stretched all the way.

Recently rebuilt with less then ~3,000 miles on it. Just sat for awhile due to a divorce.
Edelbrock 1406 750cfm carb (1 year old)
Performer RPM intake
Roller Rockers and other updates to valvetrain
Headers (that he ended up not being able to use)
HEI + MSD wires

Came out of my 1970 which is in great condition and was running and ready to go into another car. http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ds350sold5.jpg

He literally took 1 week to get it into his 1987 442 and start beating asphalt with it.

Last edited by Aceshigh; June 15th, 2011 at 10:36 PM.
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Old March 26th, 2014, 08:22 PM
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Do you still have a 350?
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Old March 27th, 2014, 07:58 AM
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You do realize the last post was almost 3 years ago?
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Old March 27th, 2014, 08:07 AM
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If he kept asking $1,200 for it, he's still got it.

- Eric
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