Anyone regret selling the original engine?
02-23-2017, 06:59 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Anyone regret selling the original engine?
Recently pulled my L98 for an LSx swap and I've got some interest in the engine but kind of hesitant since it's the original. I know I'll never do anything with it and it'll just take up space plus I don't think it'd ever be worth anything.
has anyone sold their C4's original engine and later regretted it?
has anyone sold their C4's original engine and later regretted it?
02-23-2017, 07:56 AM
#2
Race Director
Back in the late 60's and into the 80's, it was pretty important. Less so now each year. Unless you have a special high performance model C4,(ZR-1, LT-4, GS) or a museum quality car, probably not. Although they didn't put a lot of importance in it in the 50's and 60's and look what happened. But that was a different era, and several million Corvettes ago. Even on C!s, C2s, and C3s, it has gotten less important as the years pass (unless its museum quality or special high performance). If you can get money for it now, you're probably better off selling it. It might make your car easier to sell down the road (maybe not), but that probably wouldn't translate into significantly more money. Of course, nobody can see the future, but there is a way to bet.
02-23-2017, 08:41 AM
#3
I pretty much agree with zr1fred
Yours I believe is an '88 and not knowing exactly how/what you're doing for the bell-housing, if you intend NOT using the flywheel/clutch inspection cover user Ray Quayle has been looking for a good one for quite some time. He's contributed much here. I don't know that he's actually ever collected one.
'88 was first year for the compact starter motor.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ay-quayle.html
Yours I believe is an '88 and not knowing exactly how/what you're doing for the bell-housing, if you intend NOT using the flywheel/clutch inspection cover user Ray Quayle has been looking for a good one for quite some time. He's contributed much here. I don't know that he's actually ever collected one.
'88 was first year for the compact starter motor.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ay-quayle.html
02-23-2017, 12:27 PM
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
I'll have to see if the dust shield can be used with the 621 bellhousing. I do have the 4+3 bellhousing for sale though.
Last edited by armybyrd; 02-23-2017 at 12:35 PM.
02-23-2017, 01:29 PM
#5
- 1986 Original Owner -
02-23-2017, 03:39 PM
#6
Pro
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Considering you can buy a new engine block and have it stamped anything you want the value of a "numbers matching" car is moot. Now days you can pretty much build an entire car around a VIN.
02-23-2017, 07:42 PM
#7
Team Owner
I regretted selling mine since after I read the contract that the devil owned my soul too. 
02-23-2017, 08:06 PM
#8
Team Owner
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2015 C2 of Year Finalist
02-23-2017, 08:40 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Now since the build date is on the car it's a little easier to find engine parts with a suitable date codes. Even still since the cars don't have the powertrain failures they did back before 1975 with run of the mill C4,5,and 6s matching numbers isn't a big deal.
02-23-2017, 09:55 PM
#10
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St. Jude Donor '05
get rid of it nobody in their right mind would pull the lsx out and put a gen 1 back in it. Have fun. 
Plenty of buyers for both dont sweat it or listen to that "#s match or its junk" bs
Sold my # match motor out of another car many yrs ago no way Id want that thing. Cars worth more (dont care really) and way more fun with whats in it now.
Plenty of buyers for both dont sweat it or listen to that "#s match or its junk" bs
Sold my # match motor out of another car many yrs ago no way Id want that thing. Cars worth more (dont care really) and way more fun with whats in it now.
Last edited by cv67; 02-23-2017 at 09:57 PM.
02-23-2017, 10:20 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
I would say depends on how much money you would get for the L98 engine. I would sell mine if someone offer decent cash for it, just my option. My neighbour offer me $500 for mine and I laughed.
Last edited by Mike Holmen; 02-23-2017 at 10:20 PM.
02-23-2017, 10:29 PM
#12
Team Owner
Depending on what it comes with I have seen ebay selling it for 1500 give or take 1000.
02-23-2017, 10:57 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
My L98 is an iron head 350 sbc 60000 miles but probably just a core right now. I asked for $1k complete take out (of course thats canadian green backs, so about $600 USD).
Trouble is how do you get a L98 stock to run in something other than a TPI car?
Trouble is how do you get a L98 stock to run in something other than a TPI car?
02-23-2017, 11:01 PM
#14
Team Owner
Carb
02-24-2017, 01:47 AM
#16
Back in the late 60's and into the 80's, it was pretty important. Less so now each year. Unless you have a special high performance model C4,(ZR-1, LT-4, GS) or a museum quality car, probably not. Although they didn't put a lot of importance in it in the 50's and 60's and look what happened. But that was a different era, and several million Corvettes ago. Even on C!s, C2s, and C3s, it has gotten less important as the years pass (unless its museum quality or special high performance). If you can get money for it now, you're probably better off selling it. It might make your car easier to sell down the road (maybe not), but that probably wouldn't translate into significantly more money. Of course, nobody can see the future, but there is a way to bet.
02-24-2017, 10:14 AM
#17
Team Owner
Off the top of my head, weight might be a factor. You'd be shedding approximately 50 pounds on the front end. IIRC, fewer motors have aluminum heads so, if you have an iron head, WGAS? I can get 10 from the junkyard that do. Harder to find, more money.
Aluminum conducts heat better.
Aluminum conducts heat better.
Last edited by aklim; 02-24-2017 at 10:16 AM.
02-27-2017, 03:24 PM
#18
Drifting
Thread Starter
I actually put it on cl for $500.
Kinda hesitant since I feel like I/m getting rid of my cars soul or something but realistically Ill never bother with another Gen 1 sbc and I plan on moving in a few years so it'd just be a hassle to bring it along knowing it'd just be collecting dust.
I've had it listed for a couple weeks and have gotten a few calls but nothing serious yet.
02-27-2017, 03:40 PM
#19
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St. Jude Donor '05
Complete and runs for 500 oughta sell it
Theres always someone out there
Few places that make harnesses for conversions out there to put in other cars they arent much so youre not limited to the vette only crowd
People used to steal these cars left and right for the suspension,. drivetrain to build street rods way back
Theres always someone out there
Few places that make harnesses for conversions out there to put in other cars they arent much so youre not limited to the vette only crowd
People used to steal these cars left and right for the suspension,. drivetrain to build street rods way back
03-02-2017, 12:57 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
I actually put it on cl for $500.
Kinda hesitant since I feel like I/m getting rid of my cars soul or something but realistically Ill never bother with another Gen 1 sbc and I plan on moving in a few years so it'd just be a hassle to bring it along knowing it'd just be collecting dust.
I've had it listed for a couple weeks and have gotten a few calls but nothing serious yet.
Kinda hesitant since I feel like I/m getting rid of my cars soul or something but realistically Ill never bother with another Gen 1 sbc and I plan on moving in a few years so it'd just be a hassle to bring it along knowing it'd just be collecting dust.
I've had it listed for a couple weeks and have gotten a few calls but nothing serious yet.
I can't wait to see how your build goes. For $500, it can sit in the corner. I have few other engine that I can sell for money. Sold my freshly rebuilt 2012 6.7's cummins for $8k. I have two more 6.7's and three 5.9's ready to go. Even a few LLY and LB7 duramax's. I'm a car hoarder
Last edited by Mike Holmen; 03-02-2017 at 09:33 PM.