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

Thass a tough one, Rod...
I believe the cars should be kept as close to original as possible, in most cases...but that's just ME. In your case, the '74 is not likely to ever be a high dollar seller, even in original condition. If I had to make a choice, I'd sell the '74 engine, as long as my buddy with the truck understood it ain't no firebreather!   Some folks think that if they have an engine from a Corvette, they can outrun the word of God with it....sadly, that just ain't true.
I think the engine from the '72 is worth more $$$, so I'd have to hang on to that one.
What's a '74 engine worth? It's worth whatever someone is willing to pay. Around here, you can buy a rebuilt(w/warranty) 350 long block for around $600 or less. I'd say your running, fairly low mile engine is prolly worth $400 or so, at least.

Rod, I agree with Joel - the motor that belongs to the bumper car would mean more to me than the 74. I sold the original 350 out of my 79 for $500 since it turned out to be a 4 bolt main motor. 

|UPDATED|1/8/2012 6:15:09 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Thanks guys,
I was thinking the same as well. Joel, I hate saying in this forum that a 74 is not likely going to be a high dollar seller but I understand that its just not a collectors care since it isnt a chromie. And right now all car values are down! But The $400 dollar price is what I was thinking. I think I will offer hime the engine for 400 and trans and engine for 550. They are just sitting there taking up space.

Rodney

At least you can sell your's, Rod! The engine out of mine is a pile of junk! I'd be glad to get $10 for it!

 Rod, If it was me, I wouldn't sell either of them. They go with the car.

I'm with Mark on this one, if you are ever thinking of selling that 74 then I'd say having the original motor would sweetin the deal. A 74 is even less collectable with out it's matching engine and tranny..... just saying...........

Well yeah...maybe. Unless the '74 was an L-82, 4 speed, with a lot of options, the value with or without the original engine is gonna be pretty close. An L-48 automatic isn't gonna bring the big bucks, especially if the car has been modified in any other ways, such as suspension upgrades, paint, etc. Sorry, but...I've got a '74, and I know it will never really be worth what I have in it, dollar-wise, to anyone else, but I plan on keeping it factory original, since that's how I got it. Had it had any mods, or not had the original engine, it would be a nice, mild, custom hot rod by now.
I just don't think there's many folks out there actually searching for a matching numbers, L-48 automatic, so I, myself, wouldn't have any problems selling the engine.
Just my opinion...between the two cars, I would be more inclined to keep the bumper car engine.

Joel, I have to agree with you on the value of a 74. I dont go to many car shows because it becomes very discouraging to have a nice clean 74 vette parked beside another vette with chrome bumpers and it may be in ruff shape and people will walk around the 74 to look at the chrome bumper car 9 times out of 10. It is very frustrating! And yet I feel the same way so I understand. Thats one of the reasons I bought the 72, but the really amazing thing is that if you park a nice 74 in a parking lot by itself people will walk over and look it over. People are amazing!
Just an update on the motor sale. I am going to sell the 74 engine minus valve covers, carb and distributor to my friend. Hope he stays a friend after its in! LOL I plan on keeping the 72 engine although it will probably never be used by me but I am sure I will someday sell the 72 and that can go along with the package.
Thanks for each members thoughts, I respect each view and see reason for all ways of thinking.
Rodney

Rod, I was willing to sell my engine and transmission to a friend of mine. I'm talking a 74 L48, TH400 transmission, exhaust cast headers, all shielding, carb, distributor, original air cleaner etc. for $500.00. Now for the good part, it has 5,472 miles on it................ONLY! He has a 72 vette with the wrong engine. He thought I was nuts for asking that much, plus I was going to put it in for him. I told him thanks for not taking the offer.