Motor for trade.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Motor for trade.
Okay, here's the scoop. I have my 1978 Dodge Ramcharger for sale. This guy contacts me, he's a cool guy about an hour away who wants to trade my Ramcharger for a Corvette motor. He assured me it was, but I don't know how to look up the numbers.
Is this a Corvette engine code?
A GM 9932388
119x8
T118CONV1
Those are what he gave me. He says it's for a '69. It's a 350HP, 4 bolt main with 194 fuelie heads, and all parts are original with the exception of a missing cam.
I'm asking $1750 for the Ramcharger, and I just want to see if this motor is worth, selling worth, more or equal to that price.
Thanks guys.
Is this a Corvette engine code?
A GM 9932388
119x8
T118CONV1
Those are what he gave me. He says it's for a '69. It's a 350HP, 4 bolt main with 194 fuelie heads, and all parts are original with the exception of a missing cam.
I'm asking $1750 for the Ramcharger, and I just want to see if this motor is worth, selling worth, more or equal to that price.
Thanks guys.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
The book I have here shows (for 69 vette)
3932386 = very early 350
3932388 = possible 350 usage
3956618 = mid-year 350
3970010 = late 350
Looks like the 3970010 block was used up until '80.
I'd bet one thing ... not many "388" blocks around.
The question is: "Why did they chitcan it and move on to new castings ?"
3932386 = very early 350
3932388 = possible 350 usage
3956618 = mid-year 350
3970010 = late 350
Looks like the 3970010 block was used up until '80.
I'd bet one thing ... not many "388" blocks around.
The question is: "Why did they chitcan it and move on to new castings ?"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,304
Likes: 278
From: Ocala FL
The casting numbers are only part of the equation. You need the stamped numbers on the front pad to find out what it was in. Casting numbers can be the same in a lot of vehicles. You also need the date casting.
Stamp pad on the front passenger side in front of the head.
Date casting on bellhousing flange behind distributor.
Two most likely block casting numbers to match what you were told:
3932386 = 69 Corvette, 68-74 Passenger, Chevelle, Camaro, Nova, Monte Carlo - 4 bolt main
3932388 = 68-74 Passenger, Chevelle, Camaro, Nova, Monte Carlo - 2 bolt main, 69-76 truck - 2 bolt main
The stamp pad and date make all the difference. You may only have a $75 engine there.
How bad is the truck?
Stamp pad on the front passenger side in front of the head.
Date casting on bellhousing flange behind distributor.
Two most likely block casting numbers to match what you were told:
3932386 = 69 Corvette, 68-74 Passenger, Chevelle, Camaro, Nova, Monte Carlo - 4 bolt main
3932388 = 68-74 Passenger, Chevelle, Camaro, Nova, Monte Carlo - 2 bolt main, 69-76 truck - 2 bolt main
The stamp pad and date make all the difference. You may only have a $75 engine there.
How bad is the truck?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
I "almost" sold a Corvette for $90,000 once about 1990.
Almost is like "close". I almost made it on time. I almost caught the train. I almost won the lottery.
And he almost sold the engine for $3000.
It had better be all rebuilt and run like a new one. I bet it has been decked and has no numbers on the pad. In that case, it is only an engine, nothing special.
Almost is like "close". I almost made it on time. I almost caught the train. I almost won the lottery.
And he almost sold the engine for $3000.
It had better be all rebuilt and run like a new one. I bet it has been decked and has no numbers on the pad. In that case, it is only an engine, nothing special.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
DB - I guess you need to ask yourself which one you want more;
$1750 cash you could spend on whatever you like, or a used engine you do not know the true condition of. I'm not sure I would gamble on the engine.
$1750 cash you could spend on whatever you like, or a used engine you do not know the true condition of. I'm not sure I would gamble on the engine.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Supposedly, the engine has never been rebuilt, has very low mileage, and is complete minus the cam, which was being checked. It was misplaced.
I plan on calling for the numbers on the front pad, since he didn't have that number in front of him at the time. It was a motor he was going to use in an old '55, but got too old to continue the project, and now he's selling everything in his shop. He's been building cars, doing body work, and racing cars for the last 40 years. He's great to talk to...in fact he talks too much.
My only hope was that the motor was worth more than the Ramcharger, and I could flip it for a profit over the $1750.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Yeah I'll probably pass on the deal, even though the guy just sent me an email saying he'd throw in a bunch of PPG paint stuff. His son's wife is a PPG rep, and gets his painting supplies for him. He had enough body experience to know what kind of primer and flex agents I would need, and even had all the black and clear I would need for my Vette. I don't know what PPG stuff costs these days, but I have a feeling it's not cheap.
