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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 11:13 AM
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Default Value Big Block or Small Block

Anyone who knows about my situation knows I had little choice but to rebuild the motor that my 69 came with and then sell it.

Here's the question.... My vette was born a 350/350. Would it be worth more to make a Dated 350 or just put in a Big Block? I wouldnt think a dated big block would be inportant as the Motor would not match my car regardless.

Thoughts?
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 11:15 AM
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Big Block demands Big $ Period

My two cents
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 11:24 AM
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Small block dated will be big bucks! Maybe I can get a Big Block at the same cost..... But what effect would either have on the value of the car? Dated make it worth more than Dated/Non-dated Big Block?
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 12:57 PM
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It wont matter it's no longer "ORIGINAL"

You will get more money for a BB.............though it will cost you more to install & build !!!
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 01:00 PM
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Thanks. I guess I'll keep my eye out for either then.... I just thought dated motor might make it worth more. Not that I plan on ever selling it....Just a nice to know thing.
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 01:30 PM
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I think numbers matching would be more important than the correct dating.
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 01:46 PM
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I would have thought that when I stated I want to build a DATED motor then the Numbers would have been assumed matching..... I guess I should have been clearier... I want to build a Motor that has the Proper Casting Numbers, and Casting Dates that are proper to my Corvette. I know I will never be able to have a true numbers matching Corvette. Sure, I could get all the Casting Numbers to be right, the Dates to be one or two months before the Vette date, but it will never be original again. Heck, I could even have the block decked and restamped, but it is only original once!

That being said..... Yes, I belive the numbers (casting) should be right and are as EQUALLY as important as the Dates. Would do me no good to get a block 3970010 which would be correct for a 69 vette 350, but would not be smart considering that block came out Late April or early May of 69 and my Vette was born on April 1, 1969.
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 02:04 PM
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I think your car would be more valuable if you put in a period correct 350/350 small block known as a restoration motor. This could be stamped correctly for your car and be numbers matching.

There is no fraud in replaceing an engine with a period correct like engine....it becomes a NOM but it still would be a numbers matching drivetrain which IMHO adds value.

Replaceing a s/b with a b/b your car becomes a clone and could be considered a fraud unless there is full disclosure.
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 02:25 PM
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I GUESS I DON'T UNDERSTAND..........
If you want to spend the time and money why didnt you buy a matching numbers car to start with ?

Now that it's not, it doesnt matter, spending all that money to make it close in my opinion is a waste.........but it's not my car or my money.
I'd put a big block in it & really enjoy the car.
Your statement of that you were not planning on selling it backs my opinion. If you were worried about what it's worth or what it's going to be worth, you bought the wrong car to begin with.........

I say.............build it, enjoy it drive it ............!!!

P.S why bother restamping a block, does it make you feel better ?
people seem to always confuse, correct dating & numbers matching, as it's only numbers matching if original..........

Who cares what someone thinks it's worth, it's your car & it's what it's worth to you. restamping will fool noone & not make it any more valueable !!
CHEERS
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 02:26 PM
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GG, I understand what your saying and 100% agree...
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by gq82
Replaceing a s/b with a b/b your car becomes a clone and could be considered a fraud unless there is full disclosure.
I dissagree:
No more of a clone then restamping a small block...........still fraud & unethical either way !!
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 427SIXPACK
I dissagree:
No more of a clone then restamping a small block...........still fraud & unethical either way !!

How so? I said it would be a NOM but it would be correct for the car as it was originally configured...sorry no fraud there.
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 02:35 PM
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427.. I was not in the market for, nor did I have the money to buy such a fine car. If you read my profile you will find I came accross this by chance. A co-worker from another state wanted to know if I could list her "Chevy" on Ebay. Short story, she gave me this Vette for $4,500. As I was replacing all seals and gaskets since it sat for 29 years, come to find out it had a 302 MO motor, sold it for $2,200 as it was not original to the car and was worth more to someone else than me.

That brings me to this point. I was given a 350 from a cousin who owns a junk yard (NO BIG BLOCKS TO BE FOUND IN THERE). Figured I would run it this year as I did not want her to have to sleep through another Summer.... I figured enjoy her till I built what will be her new Motor.

I agree, period 350/350 would be best bet, but I would sure like a BB though!
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by ChuckPhillips
427.. I was not in the market for, nor did I have the money to buy such a fine car. If you read my profile you will find I came accross this by chance. A co-worker from another state wanted to know if I could list her "Chevy" on Ebay. Short story, she gave me this Vette for $4,500. As I was replacing all seals and gaskets since it sat for 29 years, come to find out it had a 302 MO motor, sold it for $2,200 as it was not original to the car and was worth more to someone else than me.

That brings me to this point. I was given a 350 from a cousin who owns a junk yard (NO BIG BLOCKS TO BE FOUND IN THERE). Figured I would run it this year as I did not want her to have to sleep through another Summer.... I figured enjoy her till I built what will be her new Motor.

I agree, period 350/350 would be best bet, but I would sure like a BB though!

I think Your overthinking it... i say..............put a motor in it, a small block to keep the cost down, drive it & enjoy the car PERIOD !!
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 02:41 PM
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Agree
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by gq82
How so? I said it would be a NOM but it would be correct for the car as it was originally configured...sorry no fraud there.
Why bother to restamp then ? whats the point ? Here is a guy that states he wants to keep costs down........
NOM is NOM ........restamp = fraud , it's misleading PERIOD !!
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 02:58 PM
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It's the warm fuzzy feeling... Kinda like replacing the carpet. It's not original, but you want it to appear so... Correct?
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by 427SIXPACK
Why bother to restamp then ? whats the point ? Here is a guy that states he wants to keep costs down........
NOM is NOM ........restamp = fraud , it's misleading PERIOD !!

Sorry, I think your confusing originality with the term numbers matching....PERIOD!!
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by gq82
Sorry, I think your confusing originality with the term numbers matching....PERIOD!!
OK
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Old Mar 9, 2007 | 06:00 PM
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I think your car would be more valuable if you put in a period correct 350/350 small block known as a restoration motor. This could be stamped correctly for your car and be numbers matching.

There is no fraud in replaceing an engine with a period correct like engine....it becomes a NOM but it still would be a numbers matching drivetrain which IMHO adds value.
I agree that value will go up , but once you get into restamping block to make #'s matching, IMHO I think its fraud. You might be a stand up guy and admit its a fake, but what about the guy that buys it from you?? Gets pretty tempting to just say #'s matching and watch the value rise. I can relate to your problem, I have a NOM 72 LT-1. W/ the #'s matching engine the cars value goes way up. Instead of re-stamping false block I choose to instal ZZ4. I'm not out to fool anyone. As far as your original thread, if you can afford to swap a Big Block in it, great. If not, ANY SB built right would still give you a great NOM car. Just my .02

Last edited by 72 LT1; Mar 11, 2007 at 07:37 AM.
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