Help me decide how to sell my great running motor.

I'll keep this as short as possible but would like some thoughts from you guys. I'll be having Jim as TSP build me a motor this year but it will be many months before it will be done. I'll have him use one of his 455 cores to build the new motor so I don't have to remove the non-numbers matching motor from my car and have the car out of commission during the build cycle.

When the new motor arrives I'll pull the existing engine and would like to sell it as much more than just a core. My car is a 1970 but the motor is a '71-72. It runs great, only uses one quart of oil between changes, and is fully detailed and painted proper Buick red. I don't know the rebuilt info but it does have high compression and some kind of a mild cam. Also no concerning noises.

I would like to sell the long block from carb to pan including the stock exhaust manifolds. I'll also keep the pulleys and fan and the water temp and oil pressure sensors. Otherwise it's a drop-in and go deal and the car can be driven before the motor is pulled. So, I'm hoping it's worth more than a core and wonder what you guys feel it might be worth to someone wanting a good running 455 in order so save the cost of a rebuild. Thoughts?

 

I don't think mine is that quick but maybe high 13s, low 14s. I'll know better when Jim's converter gets installed.

 

Any idea how many miles on it from the rebuild and who did it?

 

Ray, do a compression and leak down test before you pull the engine that will tell you the health of the engine then you can determine value.

 

I plan to do that. Good idea. I did do a static compression test on #1 & 2 cylinders and they each had over 180 psi. That’s how I know the rebuild was 10 to 1 or better. Engine was rebuilt about 2500 miles and 2 years ago.

 

is the rear main seal leaking ?

 

No. Not the front either.

 

2500 miles no paper work...
1 Qt per OC no leaks... IDK

Not much. 300 tops..... Who knows if it can be rebuilt?

 

Florida

 

My guess would be valve guide seals. My 69 had the same usage, replaced the seals. Oil consumption stopped.

 

Seller claims 2500 miles on a rebuild... 2 years ago...... no paperwork..... I personally can not see the guide seals failing in that amount of time..

Also 2 years 2500miles..... How many mile on OC .. I can only guess figure once a year 1200 miles per OC... Thats a lot of oil...

 

I know for me, a timeslip from the track can add value to a used a engine.

 

Are you willing to ship to California

 

If you determine a price I may be interested and could pickup

 

Well, this motor runs way too smoothly and fast to be given away for $300. I'm confident a buyer wanting to save money on a 71-72 motor will pay more than that. Since my new motor will be shipped down here in a special crate, I'll be able to ship the current engine anywhere in the country. If I only get offered $300 for it I'll admit you were right but, I don't think so.

 

Possibly using the custom crate my new motor comes in. If you want a shipping estimate please PM me.

 

Maybe I'll take it to Orlando Speedworld and do that. Good suggestion.