Got a strange call this morning...

[Brian M.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

How about, "I have no interest in this orginal engine" But the guy that has first right of refusal on the sale of my car is willinmg to pay 500.00 for it.

[Mike R.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

I agree, its not worth it. I would be differernt if it was an L88 or something like that. Its a low hp engine with a two bolt block and the early weak rods. It has probably been overhauled once already and myght not even be overhaulable. Even at $1000 he is not doing you a favor. The engine was almost 30yrs old when it was pulled (and it was pulled for a reason...) and now it has been sitting the better part of two more decades.

A lot people think they are sitting on a goldmine when they own antique car parts. They don't seem to realize that the cost of restoration is almost always equal to the restored value.

Anyway, I understand why you want it but keep in mind that the whole thing might be junk.

He would have trouble getting more than a few hundred dollars for that set up. To everyone but you, the tranny is useless and the motor is nothing special. You didn't say what is in the car now but I'm willing to bet it is a way better combination than what was stock. If all you're going to do is put it under a bench just so you can say you have the original stuff, I wouldn't give him more than $500 for everything (maybe up to $1000 if I was feeling rich). He must have been high when he told you $5500.

[Dennis O.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

I can buy good running 327's all day long for $500 or less. Why give someone $2K for something he won't be able to sell?

Please tell me where these engines are; I'll take 2. Depending on where you are, I'd be willing to give you $700 each and pick them up if you guarante they are good runners.

[Jim D.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

Please tell me where these engines are; I'll take 2. Depending on where you are, I'd be willing to give you $700 each and pick them up if you guarante they are good runners.

Dennis, Look on Craig's list in the Seattle area. There are plenty of them for that price and lower. Here are a few examples- http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/pts/2136522501.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pts/2129117483.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pts/2126915404.html

They only made a few million 327's. They are everywhere for cheap.

My brother has at least a dozen of them in his shop. Nobody wants them. 350's are twice the motor. If you actually want them, come on up and I'll help you load them AND buy you a beer.

[Dennis O.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

Short Block with no cam? Pulled out of my pickup years ago? Hasn't run it because of no carb? I thought you said "Good running engines"? You just made my point. Now, if your brother has an engine test stand and can prove that at least 4 of them are "Good runners", I might just be persuaded to hook up my trailer and head from Minnesota to Washington. BTW, this is for original 327's only; I'm not interested in 307's, 305's, 265's or 327's with smog heads and a lot of non-original parts. Let's see what you really have.

[Jim D.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

Those were only quick examples of what I found in less than 30 seconds. Sounds like you wouldn't be happy unless it was a completely rebuilt, zero mile motor for $500 so go look for yourself. I'm not willing to prove what everyone else knows is out there. Nobody wants 327's because everyone is building 383's out of 350's.

[Dennis O.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

Nope, just "Good running"; your definition.

[Edward M.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

I agree with my buddy Brian McHale. This guy is trying to hold you up. Make a fair offer which includes a small premium. It really is only worth that much to you. No one else is going to pay that kind of money for it. Be prepared to walk away, but don't make the guy mad so that he will refuse to sell to you at any price. Good luck on this.

Dennis and Jim;

Your last set of comments are not really pertinent to this thread, and probably should be taken offline if you want to continue those discussions.

[Tom H.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

I would not make an email or phone offer. I'd schedule an appointment with the owner. I'd tell him you are coming to buy the motor and trans. Take cash ( as was mentioned before ) and hit the road. Look it over good and decide what you want to pay then and there. Start peeling hundreds til one of you is done or happy. The worst thing that can happen is you waste a trip. I think 1000.00 sounds light for an original engine and trans but 5K plus is crazy. Land somewhere in between. I'd say you have the advantage. You are the buyer and you have money. He has a boat anchor. ( to anybody else but you ! ) BUY IT !!

[Terry D.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

First you have not stated what your intent with the car is. If it is always going to be a driver, then I agree $1000 would be top price. If you are going for a top flight then only you can decide what the original motor and tranny are worth. If you have never driven a Corvette with a 3 speed you are in for a treat, although not a good one. My opion is no matter what you pay for this set up, after you put it in the car you will be disappointed. Yes you will have the original stuff but it will sit in the garage most of the time. Having had both a top flight and drivers, I for one enjoy my drivers way more! Just my old two cents.
Terry

[Chuck S.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

First you have not stated what your intent with the car is. If it is always going to be a driver, then I agree $1000 would be top price. If you are going for a top flight then only you can decide what the original motor and tranny are worth...

A key statement.

As a nice driver, your current setup is likely as-good or better performance wise. Even as a judged car, I wouldn't let sentimentality get me into a financial "shellacking". You've lived without the original drive train for awhile, and I assume you took that into consideration when you bought the car. We don't know the details of his sale, but the truth here is that this previous owner stole value out of the car when he sold it, and now he's trying to turn his theft back into cold cash.

It's like a restoration to original color repaint...I would consider what additional value the original engine and transmission would bring to the car. Such valuations have always been subjective and difficult. I would look for expertise among members that know the current market and decide your top offer, then offer 25% less. For a 64 base engine/transmission car, I doubt that difference would ever come up to the $5500 number.

[Edward M.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

Another thing to consider. The engine is coded for a 250 hp, manual transmission engine. There is not a different code for 3 speed vs. 4 speed.

If you built the car as a 250 hp, 4 speed car, only you would know. Finding a correctly dated 4 speed should not be that difficult.

All depends on what you want to do with the car. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

[William C.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

As an aside, time is on your side, I bought a '64 once and the owner gave me the # of the guy who had the engine. I contacted him at that point and couldn't make a deal, but left him my #. About a year and a half later, he called me just before he was about to take it to the scrapyard, and I got if for a lot less than I would have been willing to pay when I first contacted him. Make an offer, keep in touch and let time work for you.

[Michael J.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

As an aside, time is on your side, I bought a '64 once and the owner gave me the # of the guy who had the engine. I contacted him at that point and couldn't make a deal, but left him my #. About a year and a half later, he called me just before he was about to take it to the scrapyard, and I got if for a lot less than I would have been willing to pay when I first contacted him. Make an offer, keep in touch and let time work for you.

That's a great point. That hunk of iron is just a boat anchor to most everyone but you. You are his best chance to get something for it.

[Gary R.]

Re: Got a strange call this morning...

Yes I did get a lot of good advice, Thanks! This owner was not the guy I purchased the car from. The guy lives near Buffalo and I am in CT. I am leaning towards the 2k price as my very best offer! I gave him my email address and asked him to snap a few pics.
Mark.

Another CT guy, I'm in New Haven!