Hey guys, got one more question for those of you who have some experience with it. Ive been considering putting my car project on hold for a while and buying some core motors to rebuild mildly (cam/piston upgrade, etc) and reselling them. Anyone know what a rebuilt mild Olds 455 would typically go for? I know anything is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it but im sure a couple people here have some good knowledge on what mildly rebuilt longblocks would go for. Also might try some other big blocks

 

Unless you have a proven reputation already for building motors you are going to have a hard time. Best bet is to take on someone that pays you to rebuild thiers and hope everything goes perfect and then use them as a reference. You are going to tie up 1000-1500 in just machine work.

 

Might not be an easy way into it, but i figured it might be fun. Itd be nice to have more people who know their way around an Olds out there building motors. Thats kind of what i was banking on, specializing in off-brand stuff. But i figure it wouldnt be very profitable, not for a long time anyway

Ive talked to a lot of people who when talking about a cutlass just say "id just throw a Chevy motor in it" and when i ask why they either say "theyre so much better" or "ive blown up too many Olds" and i always want to respond with "thats because you built an Olds like a Chevy, try building an Olds like an Olds and see what you get". And i honestly dont understand why someone would go through so much trouble and time and effort modifying everything to drop a 454 or Chevy 350 in when the 455 is such a rediculously simple and easy swap. Not to mention its just a better motor in my opinion. Its not interesting at all to have the exact same thing every other gearhead out there has. They know exactly what it is, exactly what it will do, and exactly how to one-up it. But with the Olds everyone underestimates the crap out of it, and thats a serious advantage :-)

 

Less than what you put into it.

 

I have sold 2 of my old engines. One was a chevy and when they came to look at it he drove the car. I took it out and put it on a stand we pulled the pan off he inspected the bearings etc. for good wear as i insisted him too. I put 2k into this engine drove it half the summer and sold it for 1100 . When you go buy an engine sometimes the guys already have the oil drained. I have asked to pull valve covers in the past and people get mad. Unless you are a machine shop/ engine builder it's hard to get your money's worth. fwiw the second engine i sold was a high 13 sec olds 350 sold it to my dad. I told him give me what you think it's worth i had 2500 into it he said ok 1200 sounds fair. I took that to build my current 350 combo. I know im mentioning selling used engines but new engines im even more affraid to buy because for all you know they just polished it all up and threw new bearings in it and not check clearences. If you build it run it and sell it you probably might get half if its running.