Keep it or sell it?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: N. Alabama
Keep it or sell it?
I'm pulling the L-48 motor and Th400 trans out of my 75 Corvette. It is being replaced with 355 & 700R4. Not that a L-48 has a huge resale value anyway. Just thinking about selling it off to recoup some $$$ while I'm going through this whole car.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,966
Likes: 6,196
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
The numbers matching motor and transmission are basically the entire source of the value of that car. The car with an NOM takes a huge value hit, on an entry level car as it is. For the few dollars you would get selling them, you would lose many times that in future value.
Keep the original drivetrain WITH the car for the day when you sell. It will come.
Keep the original drivetrain WITH the car for the day when you sell. It will come.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
I'd keep the original drivetrain, although handling a 500 engine isn't the easiest thing to have around. You can get a small engine dolly on caster's or make one like I did. I stored an engine in my back yard shed, and just layed down a couple pieces of plywood on the lawn to get it there. Really didn't get in the way much, as just layed some wood on it and used it as a storage shelf.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
If your intention is to just get rid of the motor/tranny and get some money for them, put them on eBay. But, unless you rebuild them to new specs, don't expect much for them. Now, if you car is pretty much the same as it came from the factory [really stock condition], selling the original engine and tranny is foolish...if you ever intend on selling that car in the future. Having all the components to a completely stock C3 is what gives the car its highest value.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,241
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I agree... save the engne and transmission if they're the ones the car left St. Louis with. The next owner will want them.
Regards,
Alan
Save the remains of your front bumper too.
I agree... save the engne and transmission if they're the ones the car left St. Louis with. The next owner will want them.
Regards,
Alan
Save the remains of your front bumper too.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
Personally - I would sell it. Nobody in their right mind is going to pull a decent motor and tranny out of that car and stick the sickly L48 and TH350 back in. I've got a '79 with the same combo. The TH350 is gone. I have no wish to trip over the damn thing for 20 years so some guy down the road 'might' put it back , but 'probably' won't. I've got buddies with old cars and shi-tte parts all over their garage. Looks like a bloody junk yard. I couldn't stand it. And as far as value .... If I saw a stock '79 (or '75) vette with the L48 and TH350 in the classifieds and a nicely done vette with the healthier 355 , 700R combo - I'd pay MORE for the 700R combo. So would alot of people.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 174
From: Fort Wayne IN
Sell it. Numbers matching on a non-chrome bumper is way overrated unless you are planning on selling the car to only NCRS people in the future. The car will be more valuable with more valuable parts. If you do decide to keep the motor and tranny, they will just be in your way and something you will have to drag behind you if you move.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
People always yell about resale value and numbers matching. Forget that. For me resale value has no meaning because I just plainly wont sell it. So if you have the room to store the engine in tranny then why not but if you can make some cash on it then go for it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
I just re-read your thread. You've got the th400 behind a L-48.
I've always wondered why the heck GM would stick a heavy - tough as nails tranny behind a 190 hp engine when a th350 would have been lighter and still been MORE than enough tranny for that engine? Did GM just have a bunch of heavy duty 400 trannys they couldn't use anywhere else?
I've always wondered why the heck GM would stick a heavy - tough as nails tranny behind a 190 hp engine when a th350 would have been lighter and still been MORE than enough tranny for that engine? Did GM just have a bunch of heavy duty 400 trannys they couldn't use anywhere else?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: N. Alabama
I just re-read your thread. You've got the th400 behind a L-48.
I've always wondered why the heck GM would stick a heavy - tough as nails tranny behind a 190 hp engine when a th350 would have been lighter and still been MORE than enough tranny for that engine? Did GM just have a bunch of heavy duty 400 trannys they couldn't use anywhere else?
I've always wondered why the heck GM would stick a heavy - tough as nails tranny behind a 190 hp engine when a th350 would have been lighter and still been MORE than enough tranny for that engine? Did GM just have a bunch of heavy duty 400 trannys they couldn't use anywhere else?
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: tacoma wa
Its your choice but if it were me i would keep it. not enough $ to make it worth while besides once you get that vette project done what are you going to do. remember the numbers are on the block and heads. you can work that thing over with spare change and spare time to whatever you want. pretty cool taking a 160 hp to 300+. especialy without a time schedule. kinda wish i would have gone crate just so i could have some thing fun to work on now. cant mess with mine cause it aint broke and dont want to go broke and aint no way to fix it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Good new's is, if you decide to sell the drivetrain should be a pretty a big market, even some guy with an old truck. Probably a good idea to get some video of the car starting up, running, driving down the road, ext before pulling it out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Market and value are 2 very different things. I would expect to buy a running used 2-pc seal 350 for $200 or less (less carb, distributor, accessories). The transmission is a core, $75. There is no value to selling it used. Even if you find just the right buyer, maybe $500 for all of it? It will be worth way more than that at resale or when the kids resell it. I still say if you have the room save it. I am keeping the original 350 from my '83 K20 truck. I pulled it complete to put in a TPI motor. Will it ever be really worth anything? I don't know, but it's not worth anything to sell.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
If you have room keep it otherwise its probably doubtful it will find its way back into the car.
When I part cars I keep the vette motor around until I find a vehicle on craigs that is in need of a transplant , pickups , monte carlos and etc sell very well when they have a "vette" motor
in them.
When I part cars I keep the vette motor around until I find a vehicle on craigs that is in need of a transplant , pickups , monte carlos and etc sell very well when they have a "vette" motor
in them.