Your Thoughts?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 255
Likes: 3
Your Thoughts?
I have a friend that is looking for a 350 for in his 65 chevy truck. He ask me yesterday if I was ever going to use either motor from the 72 or 74 vettes I replaced. I dont plan on doing anything with them and they are just taking up space. They are both the original matching numbers engines from the cars. First would you sell one of them if you didnt plan on ever using them again? If I sold one of them I think it would be the one from the 74. It only has 26,000 original miles on it and ran great 2 years ago when I took it out, just didnt have enough HP for my blood! It is complete minus distributor and carb. He would even be interested in the turbo 400 trans I pulled out of the 72 as well. The 72 engine shows 53,000 on it. But because that car is a chromie I thought I should hang onto that one? Would you sell one of them and what is a fair asking price?
Rodney
Rodney
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Its a tough situation. Even if you don't PLAN on selling the car anytime, you will have lost any change of making more money on "all original" if for some reason you are forced to sell one or you simply change your mind in the future.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
Your friend doesn't NEED any sort of numbers matching engine for his truck, but sometime in the future, you PROBABLY WILL need the original block for your car(s). My advice is DO NOT sell it/them.....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,472
Likes: 309
From: Scottsdale AZ
Although I've had a couple of `74's, and certainly don't wish to offend any current owners here on the forum, I just don't see that engine ever having any real value - - nor the car with that block for the reasons that made you replace it - - simply not a performance motor.
On the other hand, chrome bumper cars hold better promise and accordingly, I'd hang onto that block for the reasons stated.
Your buddy ought to be thrilled to have the 74 smallblock for his ride - -
On the other hand, chrome bumper cars hold better promise and accordingly, I'd hang onto that block for the reasons stated.
Your buddy ought to be thrilled to have the 74 smallblock for his ride - -
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 46
From: Hebron IN
Keep the 72 and ditch the 74. Who really cares about #s matching on a 74 on up? Anyone who thinks the value it going to skyrocket into the 6 figure range within the next 10 to 20 years for an original mid 70s C3 is a dreamer.
If I ever decide to purchase another C3, I'll skip any with original engines unless the car is nice and cheap enough to justify a crate engine swap.
It's sad when my stock Suzuki motorcycle makes 10 more HP than the Vette parked next to it.
You'll get garage space back and your friend will have a truck that moves slowly from point A to point B. Win/win situation.
If I ever decide to purchase another C3, I'll skip any with original engines unless the car is nice and cheap enough to justify a crate engine swap.
It's sad when my stock Suzuki motorcycle makes 10 more HP than the Vette parked next to it.
You'll get garage space back and your friend will have a truck that moves slowly from point A to point B. Win/win situation.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Who would want a 40 year old engine to put in a 'present day' driver vehicle? And, how much would he pay for it? Not much, I would imagine.
If he really wants it bad and will pay a ridiculous price for an 'old' engine, go for it. If not, just hold onto it until you want to sell the car.
If he really wants it bad and will pay a ridiculous price for an 'old' engine, go for it. If not, just hold onto it until you want to sell the car.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,640
Likes: 3,103
From: Shamong, NJ
If you had to sell one of the engines, I would sell the 74, but considering that an old L-48 350 is worth all that much, I'd probably hold on to both.
Even if you have no intention of ever re-installing them in your Corvettes, the cars could be worth much more to future buyers, with the original engines.
Even if you have no intention of ever re-installing them in your Corvettes, the cars could be worth much more to future buyers, with the original engines.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,972
Likes: 6,197
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I have a friend that is looking for a 350 for in his 65 chevy truck. He ask me yesterday if I was ever going to use either motor from the 72 or 74 vettes I replaced. I dont plan on doing anything with them and they are just taking up space. They are both the original matching numbers engines from the cars. First would you sell one of them if you didnt plan on ever using them again? If I sold one of them I think it would be the one from the 74. It only has 26,000 original miles on it and ran great 2 years ago when I took it out, just didnt have enough HP for my blood! It is complete minus distributor and carb. He would even be interested in the turbo 400 trans I pulled out of the 72 as well. The 72 engine shows 53,000 on it. But because that car is a chromie I thought I should hang onto that one? Would you sell one of them and what is a fair asking price?
Rodney
Rodney
Terribly short-sighted. A terrible decision.
Not to mention an awful thing for the hobby. Intentionally separating the numbers matching motors from the correct cars for a couple hundred dollars? Man this hobby continues to swirl the drain.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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You will diminish the value of either of your Corvettes by more than you will get for the engine (s). Times change and you never know what the future holds. You will be glad you kept the motors if you ever decided to sell. Your friend can buy any run of the mill 350 to serve his purpose. For the sake of the hobby, I hate to see original cars dismantled.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
Unless it's the "money" that drives the desire for a 350, I would go directly to a crate engine before placing a low mileage engine that is nearly 40 years old....unless it is going to be rebuilt or freshened up with gaskets, bearings and seals. But then it brings us back to the expense.
