What is a 427 engine worth???
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
It depends on what comes with it and what condition. I good block (not to far oversize) with matching intake, carb, pulleys brackets about $2,500. If it is a fresh rebuild with all the same as above $5,000.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
It's worth most to the owner of the car it left the factory in.
Next in line would be any muscle car owner looking for a correctly dated motor, they unlike most corvette owners value the casting dates if their original engine is missing.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
Ok, seriously,(just had to do the $100.00 thing)
It's really hard to put a true value on the motor with the info provided.
Are ALL the components with it? (alt,carb,distributor,)
Are those parts numbers matching to the motor/year?
Are the heads, and intake original to that motor?
How many miles?
Has it been rebuilt, and by whom?
If not re-built, is it in good running condition?
Was this the original motor from the car it's in?
With that said, 2000.00 to 3000.00 for the long block should not be too hard to get depending on condition. If everything is correct for the motor, it could go a fair amount higher. If it has the transistor ignition option, that alone can be worth $1000.00 to the right person.
If you can provide more info on it, we could give you a better idea of the true value.....at this point it's all guessing.
It's really hard to put a true value on the motor with the info provided.
Are ALL the components with it? (alt,carb,distributor,)
Are those parts numbers matching to the motor/year?
Are the heads, and intake original to that motor?
How many miles?
Has it been rebuilt, and by whom?
If not re-built, is it in good running condition?
Was this the original motor from the car it's in?
With that said, 2000.00 to 3000.00 for the long block should not be too hard to get depending on condition. If everything is correct for the motor, it could go a fair amount higher. If it has the transistor ignition option, that alone can be worth $1000.00 to the right person.
If you can provide more info on it, we could give you a better idea of the true value.....at this point it's all guessing.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 316
Likes: 10
From: Beavercreek Oh
Hi Guys thanks for the info!! I actually have the title/vin plate for the car that the engine came out of. It has 78K miles and has never been opened up to my knowledge. However, it did burn up the ignition system. I put some new plugs, wires and a newer style HEI distributor on it to fire it up. It ran great. No smoke at all. But I still have all the orig pulleys. I think the alt was orig but it would need a good cleaning and rebuild. Carb is there but is in bad shape. It has the orig heads, and intake. Cast numbers on the heads=3931063 and the intake=3947801
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
Well the block, heads, and intake all match up as late 1969 production which is a good thing. The 390 HP is probably the least desired 427 corvette engine,( as apposed to the L-71,L-88,L-89) but it's still got more value than most other engines. The fact that it runs is good as well. A buyer will most likely rebuild it, but most people would rather buy a running engine than a pile of parts, or a "don't know why it won't start" motor. I would say that to the right person, 4000.00 to 5000.00 is not out of the question. You could always throw it on E-Bay with a high reserve and see what the market will bring. I know E-Bay gets a bad rap from car guys sometimes, but it's the best way to get the most exposure for it.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
A 390 HP 427 is a hydraulic cam engine with 2 bolt mains....not a very good upgrade for HP in a Vette, Camaro or Chevelle....especially when all those 454`s are out there with the same 2 bolt mains.....
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
The 512 block could be 2 or 4 bolt. I'm not sure that a 390HP was always a 2 bolt. They only used the 512 in 68 and 69 for the 427,(it then became the 454 motor block for 1970) so someone looking for a period correct 69 427 will be the best bet for top dollar.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Well the block, heads, and intake all match up as late 1969 production which is a good thing. The 390 HP is probably the least desired 427 corvette engine,( as apposed to the L-71,L-88,L-89) but it's still got more value than most other engines. The fact that it runs is good as well. A buyer will most likely rebuild it, but most people would rather buy a running engine than a pile of parts, or a "don't know why it won't start" motor. I would say that to the right person, 4000.00 to 5000.00 is not out of the question. You could always throw it on E-Bay with a high reserve and see what the market will bring. I know E-Bay gets a bad rap from car guys sometimes, but it's the best way to get the most exposure for it.
Just wondering how to decipher this from the casting number.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
First...we're assuming it's the original engine from the car. To verify this you need to look at the "pad" on the engine block. It's not so much a plate as it is a flat spot on the front of the block, passenger side where the head meets the block near to where the water pump is bolted on. It will be about 3 inches wide and 3/4 inch deep. It should have two sets of numbers and letters on it. The last 6 digits on one of the sets of numbers should match the last 6 digits of the vin you have.The other set of numbers and letters will de-code exactly what engine it was. The "ledge" the numbers are stamped on might be dirty, so take a rag and some carb cleaner and wipe it off so you can see the numbers.
If they do match, you can get a good idea from the vin sequence. The first 69 vette was (last 6 digits) 700001 the last one was 738762.
Also, corvettes didn't start using the 512 block till late in 1969 production, so not a lot of 427 corvette motors were made from the 512 block. This block was bored to 454 for the 1970-71 years.
A number of changes were made through out the 69 year.
If you can get the numbers off that front pad, that will help a lot with the identification.
If they do match, you can get a good idea from the vin sequence. The first 69 vette was (last 6 digits) 700001 the last one was 738762.
Also, corvettes didn't start using the 512 block till late in 1969 production, so not a lot of 427 corvette motors were made from the 512 block. This block was bored to 454 for the 1970-71 years.
A number of changes were made through out the 69 year.
If you can get the numbers off that front pad, that will help a lot with the identification.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
First...we're assuming it's the original engine from the car. To verify this you need to look at the "pad" on the engine block. It's not so much a plate as it is a flat spot on the front of the block, passenger side where the head meets the block near to where the water pump is bolted on. It will be about 3 inches wide and 3/4 inch deep. It should have two sets of numbers and letters on it. The last 6 digits on one of the sets of numbers should match the last 6 digits of the vin you have.The other set of numbers and letters will de-code exactly what engine it was. The "ledge" the numbers are stamped on might be dirty, so take a rag and some carb cleaner and wipe it off so you can see the numbers.
If they do match, you can get a good idea from the vin sequence. The first 69 vette was (last 6 digits) 700001 the last one was 738762.
Also, corvettes didn't start using the 512 block till late in 1969 production, so not a lot of 427 corvette motors were made from the 512 block. This block was bored to 454 for the 1970-71 years.
A number of changes were made through out the 69 year.
If you can get the numbers off that front pad, that will help a lot with the identification.
If they do match, you can get a good idea from the vin sequence. The first 69 vette was (last 6 digits) 700001 the last one was 738762.
Also, corvettes didn't start using the 512 block till late in 1969 production, so not a lot of 427 corvette motors were made from the 512 block. This block was bored to 454 for the 1970-71 years.
A number of changes were made through out the 69 year.
If you can get the numbers off that front pad, that will help a lot with the identification.
also.. look at the casting date of the block , most of your potential buyers will want a casting date in a certain range prior to their cars build date. The casting date of the heads and manifolds should be close to the same as the block also.
there were also cases where a late 69 512 block was used in a 70 production car or truck, sometimes blocks sat around the plant due to various strikes.. it is all nebulous. 512 blocks were in chevelles, monte carlos, big chevys, trucks.. lots more than a corvette.. you may not even have a corvette motor there
Last edited by joewill; Mar 16, 2010 at 07:17 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
Yes Joe....the 454 is a stroked 427....just like the 327...350...302 are the same bore different strokes(and block journals in some cases).....excuse my wording.
We are talking about the Vette 512 block which as a 427 corvette motor was only used in "late 69"production, so Dec. on I think.
And Mike...as far as assuming...I went on to explain the easiest way to verify it is a 69 427 that matches the info he has. If the block hasn't been decked and he can find the numbers, we will know for sure.(on the block anyway) If he can't find the numbers, or they don't match,we'll have a whole new set of problems. If they do match,we'll move on to casting dates. I'm just trying to take this one step at a time.
Good point about the dates though, someone looking for a period correct motor will want them. I think NCRS deducts 25 points for non-matching, but period correct, so you could still get Top Flight I believe.
That might be worth it to the right person.
We are talking about the Vette 512 block which as a 427 corvette motor was only used in "late 69"production, so Dec. on I think.
And Mike...as far as assuming...I went on to explain the easiest way to verify it is a 69 427 that matches the info he has. If the block hasn't been decked and he can find the numbers, we will know for sure.(on the block anyway) If he can't find the numbers, or they don't match,we'll have a whole new set of problems. If they do match,we'll move on to casting dates. I'm just trying to take this one step at a time.
Good point about the dates though, someone looking for a period correct motor will want them. I think NCRS deducts 25 points for non-matching, but period correct, so you could still get Top Flight I believe.
That might be worth it to the right person.
Last edited by whitehause; Mar 16, 2010 at 08:06 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
Does the 714315 match the last 6 digits from the vin you have? If so it's the correct motor for your vin #
The T012ILM is 427 390hp 4 speed. Called the L-36
T012ILM
T was the Towanda plant...... 01-january.... 2-2nd day....Ilm- 427 390hp 4peed
The car itself would have been built between December 68 to January 69
The D8 should be the block casting date which would be april 1968, This is when the block was cast at the factory, not a build date.
The T012ILM is 427 390hp 4 speed. Called the L-36
T012ILM
T was the Towanda plant...... 01-january.... 2-2nd day....Ilm- 427 390hp 4peed
The car itself would have been built between December 68 to January 69
The D8 should be the block casting date which would be april 1968, This is when the block was cast at the factory, not a build date.
Last edited by whitehause; Mar 16, 2010 at 08:04 PM.