Predicament Sell or Fix?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
Predicament Sell or Fix?
I have a ‘79 sitting in my driveway with a blown motor. Somewhere down the line an idiot put in a 400 which wasn’t built for the car. Anyways the motor blew right after I had the trans rebuilt and side pipes put on. This car is an automatic and I spent over a grand getting it rebuilt, and that is where I am undeceive. Should I sell her and buy a car with a manual, or stick with what I got and drop a crate in? What do you guys think? Could I find a buyer and not loose out on the money I spent on the trans? Most likely I will pull out the headers and side pipes, but include stock headers with newer exhaust including a cat.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
I love the car, dont get me wrong. I change my mind daily. In the back of my mind i feel like it's not worth soaking money into becasue it is an automatic. Corvettes should of never have been made with automatics.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 14
From: South Florida
Originally Posted by AmpedC3
I have a ‘79 sitting in my driveway with a blown motor. Somewhere down the line an idiot put in a 400 which wasn’t built for the car. Anyways the motor blew right after I had the trans rebuilt and side pipes put on. This car is an automatic and I spent over a grand getting it rebuilt, and that is where I am undeceive. Should I sell her and buy a car with a manual, or stick with what I got and drop a crate in? What do you guys think? Could I find a buyer and not loose out on the money I spent on the trans? Most likely I will pull out the headers and side pipes, but include stock headers with newer exhaust including a cat.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg IL
1 or 2 minor cracks. needs paint. something popping in the rear... the diff maybe? suspension needs to be redone. engine compartment is kind of sorry looking. I plan to yank the 400 and start on the engine compartment, changing hoses, loom the wires, and prep it for the new motor.... paid 3500 for it when it was running. It's just so pretty, if it was only stick....... I think im going to keep it. It will prolly need a rear end, and I will fix the suspension at the same time i work on the engine compartment.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: Miami Florida
if you only have 4k in the car you wont lose money on it . you could sell it here for that. but since it needs susp, paint, rear work and a motor.your gona have 15k into it in a heartbeat then interior, so youll be at 21 b4 your done. youll know what you have and it will be your way. that beauty, once done would sell for 16-18.5 if your lucky so you better keep it and enjoy it. mine had almost perfect paint so i bought it for 14.5. im over 22 with suspension, wheels tires, intake carb, insulation, ac, roll cage, cooling work, sidepipes and baffles, harnesses, and i still need converter work, better heads, hood scoop etc it never ends but its fun . if you can buy an older show car do it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
Likes: 7
From: roanoke va
What is wrong with a 400 engine?
If it is a 400 chevy engine I would consider rebuilding it. The 400 will make some torque the only thing you will need is to be sure to have a good exhaust system and keep it cool. And don't turn it up too far.
I have a 400 small block that I may put in later just for giggles.
If it is a 400 chevy engine I would consider rebuilding it. The 400 will make some torque the only thing you will need is to be sure to have a good exhaust system and keep it cool. And don't turn it up too far.
I have a 400 small block that I may put in later just for giggles.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by yooperod
If you can do your own work.
It should be worth more with a running engine in it.
now do you put, a decent used car 350 in it, or a I'm gonna keep the car engine in it?
It should be worth more with a running engine in it.
now do you put, a decent used car 350 in it, or a I'm gonna keep the car engine in it?
You hit the nail on the head.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
You should have bought a manual trans before spending $1000 on the automatic..... well, now it's too late ....
what's wrong with the engine ? Can you do the work yourself ?
If the 400 needs machine work then a Goodwrench 350 crate engine is probably less hassle and cheaper. I think these sell for around $1500 shipped
what's wrong with the engine ? Can you do the work yourself ?
If the 400 needs machine work then a Goodwrench 350 crate engine is probably less hassle and cheaper. I think these sell for around $1500 shipped