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I Need Help Valuing This Old Small Block

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Old Dec 2, 2020 | 10:57 AM
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Default I Need Help Valuing This Old Small Block

I am cleaning out the garage of some stuff and would like to sell this 327ci I inherited. It was built a several years ago, but stored properly and still turns over easy. I have kept it oiled in the time I owned it. I added the new fuel pump and filter, new oil pump, pan gasket, valve cover gaskets, timing cover and gaskets, and new plugs.

Here is what I know:

GM 327ci block 3791362
GM "Pink" rods
Cast crank
high compression pistons (I think around 11.25:1)
Double hump "186" casting heads
30-30 solid lifter cam
generic dual plane intake

From the little bit of research I did, it seems the heads might be worth $1000-1500 assembled, but beyond that I dont know what the complete engine would be worth. I was thinking $2000-2500??
















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Old Dec 2, 2020 | 11:06 AM
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How many miles are on it?? Selling used engines is tough...if you can get even a grand or more youre doing good imo

Sold a nice L82 with a polished EPS and recent Lunati cam w/stand for 400, was tough getting that much.
Figured valve covers/intake were worth that much..the problem was nobody was looking for an old Gen 1 350 they all want an ls
Tough to sell and when you want one they want too much lol

Last edited by cv67; Dec 2, 2020 at 11:40 AM.
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Old Dec 2, 2020 | 11:25 AM
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It was run for a short time in a '63 Corvette before being pulled. I bet it has less than 1K miles.

Last edited by Kubs; Dec 2, 2020 at 11:33 AM.
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Old Dec 2, 2020 | 11:26 AM
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That casting 3791362 is for 1964 to 1967 models with 250 to 300 hp. So unfortunately it is not one of the rarer 327’s that would bring value. My other question would be has it already been bored. I’m assuming it has because those are not factory pistons. I’m also assuming it’s a 2-bolt main block? Trying not get you down, but letting you know what people are thinking.

However, value only depends on what people are wanting to pay for something... So, it may not matter what I say??
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Old Dec 2, 2020 | 11:28 AM
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Hey Mike, I would say about $1000 to $1500 for the complete engine. One thing I always do selling a complete engine is remove the heads and oil pan and snap some pics......this goes a long way in reassuring the potential buyer. Of course a running vid is golden too.
I do not see getting a huge amount of money for 186 heads.......there are hundreds of people selling these for $1000 or better but are they really selling them? To me, the heads are worth $400-500 and that is if they are perfect.
All small journal small blocks had a forged crank......and two bolt mains, which at this power level means about squat. That intake is retro fabulous though......maybe a very early Performer or Weiand 8004.....awesome!

Jebby

Last edited by Jebbysan; Dec 2, 2020 at 11:30 AM.
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Old Dec 2, 2020 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by JC 1975
That casting 3791362 is for 1964 to 1967 models with 250 to 300 hp. So unfortunately it is not one of the rarer 327’s that would bring value. My other question would be has it already been bored. I’m assuming it has because those are not factory pistons. I’m also assuming it’s a 2-bolt main block? Trying not get you down, but letting you know what people are thinking.

However, value only depends on what people are wanting to pay for something... So, it may not matter what I say??
I do not know anything about the machine work. To the best of my knowledge it is a replica version of an L-79 offered in '64-65. It is a 2-bolt block. You're not getting me down, I need a realistic number for this engine.

Originally Posted by Jebbysan
Hey Mike, I would say about $1000 to $1500 for the complete engine. One thing I always do selling a complete engine is remove the heads and oil pan and snap some pics......this goes a long way in reassuring the potential buyer. Of course a running vid is golden too.
I do not see getting a huge amount of money for 186 heads.......there are hundreds of people selling these for $1000 or better but are they really selling them? To me, the heads are worth $400-500 and that is if they are perfect.
All small journal small blocks had a forged crank......and two bolt mains, which at this power level means about squat. That intake is retro fabulous though......maybe a very early Performer or Weiand 8004.....awesome!

Jebby
I can get some more pictures as needed. Unfortunately I didnt get any when I had the pan off to do the pump and gaskets. I also dont have an engine run stand either, and the car it was in is long gone.

Good point about the heads actually selling. That I do not know.
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Old Dec 2, 2020 | 11:49 AM
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If I was a buyer the fact it had been gone through recenlty is a plus. Woudlnt be interested in a worn out one that was 50 yrs old then it becomes a core in my eyes.
Curious to see what it brings. Just takes more patience for the guy that loves 327s thats all.
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Old Dec 2, 2020 | 02:27 PM
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Hmmmm?
Kubs, I may have to respectfully disagree with JC, depending on that block's date code.
My books show that this block was indeed used as a '62 & '63 250 hp set up. But it was also used as the '66 & '67 350 hp engine in the Chevy II.
Now, if you know anything at all about the Chevy II/Nova guys, you'll know some of them can be almost as rabid as Corvette guys about matching up a big dollar L79 car, so that block could be very desirable to some of them.
I have been that guy many times and, like many others, I will pay for the correct date/casting numbers for my cars.
The heads are good as well and the right guy looking to match up his '69 Chevelle, Camaro, Nova or Corvette will pay for them. This head was used mostly in the 300 hp configuration but it was also used for the 1969 Z-28 302 290 hp engine and the 1969 Corvette L-46 350 hp set up.
No offense intended but, sitting on that engine stand, I just see a dirty used engine that will realistically bring $500-$800 on a good day. If this were my engine, and the block date code checks out as later, I would separate the pieces and market them to the guys who are code/cast searching. I think it will bring more $ that way and be easier to sell. Clean it up, paint it and sell the long block as a rotating assembly. Bare blocks are pretty strong in the market today but if yours includes crank, rods, etc. it will be that much more desirable to a guy shopping for a 362 block.
Clean up the heads and repaint as well then hit eBay listed as '69 302 Zapper heads. They will find their buyer. The intake and valve covers have no value. Give them away.
Cheers, Greg


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Old Dec 2, 2020 | 02:44 PM
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Greg, all excellent information! Thank you!
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Old Dec 2, 2020 | 02:47 PM
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Can you find the date code??
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Old Dec 3, 2020 | 07:50 AM
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I agree with Greg. Take it apart and sell the heads. They did not come with the engine originally so they are worth more by themselves.

Short block is worth something to a 327 freak so keep those parts together. Condition of the bores and how well the pistons fit them is the most important detail in my opinion. If you can show the condition you should get a little more and sell it faster.

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Old Dec 3, 2020 | 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by JC 1975
Can you find the date code??
I didnt get a chance last night to go out to the garage and look. I will today.

Sounds like I will be tearing this down and selling the parts. Thanks everyone for the information so far!
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Old Dec 3, 2020 | 08:39 AM
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69 rs z....love it.
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Old Dec 3, 2020 | 09:34 AM
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I agree with most of the above. I would post a query on the C-2 section of the forum. Take pictures of all of the numbers, Has the block been decked? If not, it may be valuable for a C-2 vette owner. Jerry
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Old Dec 3, 2020 | 01:40 PM
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Just to clarify, the 362 block was not used in any year Corvette. This was a Chevy II block exclusively, from 1962 - 1967.
That being said, of course one could use it for pretty much any Chevrolet if they wanted.
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Old Dec 3, 2020 | 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Greg
Just to clarify, the 362 block was not used in any year Corvette. This was a Chevy II block exclusively, from 1962 - 1967.
That being said, of course one could use it for pretty much any Chevrolet if they wanted.
This is good as it has differences compared to the standard block...Z-Bar hole is in a different spot, there is a hole drilled in the main web for front sump pickup, and it had a recessed oil filter boss.
Desirable in the V8 Nova community.

Jebby
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Old Dec 4, 2020 | 09:48 AM
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The date code is A 3 7. January 3 1967. I posted it in the C2 section before taking it apart, and have someone coming to look at it tomorrow. If they pass I have someone committed to buying the short block. Thanks all for your help!
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Old Dec 4, 2020 | 02:18 PM
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Excellent news!
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Old Feb 3, 2022 | 12:30 AM
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Default Still got the engine?

I might be interested in buying it. Dm me.
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Old Feb 3, 2022 | 12:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Kubs
The date code is A 3 7. January 3 1967. I posted it in the C2 section before taking it apart, and have someone coming to look at it tomorrow. If they pass I have someone committed to buying the short block. Thanks all for your help!
I'm interested in buying the short block.
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