Was wondering what the value of my factory 350 motor would be. Its a 72, 350. Had 52,000 miles on it when I pulled it out 6 years ago. No problems that I was aware of and ran fine. Its just been sitting there and today I had someone ask me if I knew where he could pick up a 350 for in a Jeep project. I doubt that I will ever need it again and I already sold the original trans that came out of it. I also sold the factory rear carrier/gears as well so going back to original isnt ever going to happen. So does it have any value ad to my car to keep it around or let someone get some use out of it? 

______________

It only ads value to your car IF the person that eventually buys your car would pay more money for the original engine. Since your creampuff has ventured a few feet off of the reservation, I don't think keeping the original engine for future owner's benefit would be of any benefit to YOU. While I would always like to see the early cars kept original, or at least returnable to original, I think it's safe to say your's prolly has more value in today market as it is...a mild custom...and damn fine one at that. Let the Yeep guy have some bragin rights....he can tell everyone he has a Corvette engine in his Yeep....

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Joel or anyone else that has an opinion on this,

______________

Rod - motor options for 1972 were the base 350, LT1 350 and the 454 BB. I'm sure if you had an original LT1 it would still be in the car, so let's go with the base 350. Your base 350 should be a two bolt main, but it might be worth pulling the oil pan to make sure. The base motor and the LT1 used the same block, just machined differently for 2 or 4 bolt mains. If it is original and complete minus the carb the best $$$ would be to someone that has a '72 with a blown or missing motor. If the casting dates are correct, it would be valuable to someone to do a VIN re-stamp or a restoration motor, $1k plus to the right person. To your buddy with the jeep, a corvette motor may be cool even if it's only a two bolt main, I would put a value to him at $1k or lower depending on how good of a buddy he is. The heads from your original motor have some value on their own. According to my Old Black Book, the base motor and LT1's shared head castings 3973487, 3998916 in some instances. If your heads are either of these, they may be valuable to any '72 LT1 owner with a bad head. The third 350 head option for '72 was 3998993. This was a base motor only head and not too valuable except to the first option I mentioned above. Hope this helps. The $$$ are just my opinion and may vary depending who you sell it to. Personally I would verify the mains and the head castings before doing anything. Good luck !!

______________
John Sigmund

If you still have the engine, I'd be interested in buying it. I recently purchased a 72 Cpe and it does not have the original engine, not that it matters much to me but I'd at least like a correct engine in the car, not the bogus Van engine with the dipstick on the wrong side...

______________