Thread: How much is my motor worth????

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Hello everyone! I have a 49-53 flathead and tranny that i've been working on for my car....been doing a ton of work on my project and I;ve finally arrived at making a crucial decision: keep my flathead, or throw in a 351 crate motor. I really like the look and oem integrity of the flathead, but i really want way more power and reliability than that which the flatty offers. I was just wondering if you guys had any idea how much i could possibly get for my motor if i decided to sell it. It has a freshly rebuilt stromberg 97, new fuel pump, copper head gaskets, powergen alternator, mallory dual point ignition, chrome acorn nuts, new blaster coil, and new belt. The motor ran before i started to process of going from 6v to 12v as well as making the motor look more asthetically pleasing. Also have several misc. parts available for the motor like plug wires, plugs, gas tank, and fuel sender. If it was up to me, i'd supercharge the flatty, but i really don't have $16,000 laying around ..... one of my buddies keeps bugging me to buy it off me, but wanna be fair in the price i give him and not screw myself out of $ either. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Here's a link to some before and after pictures:
http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...3&postcount=16

Did you go through the inside of the engine, Rings, valve job, rod and main bearings?
Or was just the outside cleaned up?

Originally Posted by Bruce lee

Did you go through the inside of the engine, Rings, valve job, rod and main bearings?
Or was just the outside cleaned up?

H&H Flatheads had two "show specials" at the Pleasanton GoodGuys event in August. A nice, stock engine rebuilt right through & through was $6500, while the tricked out supercharged beauty with a pair of polished carbs on top was $14,500. Both carried the H&H name and warranty, which carries some value. Maybe you can gauge your price from there?

I "gave" a flatty away with some other '46 ford parts I wasn't using. It was not rebuilt, that I know of, but was running. I sold it to a fellow CHR member for $500.00.

Keep the flatty in the '35.

Ratty 46

I didn't do anything to the internals, just took off the heads to find top dead center. While I was in there, i cleaned up some carbon build up.....the motor used to run many many years ago....still turns over. Do you guys think that $1500 or so is fair? Or a trade for a Mustang II?

I'll stick my neck out and say that if you can get $1500 for even a running 8BA flathead, you are doing well. The big problem with these motors are cracks - through valve seats and down the cylinder bores are the two major areas of concern. All it took was one overheat. Many folks will want some reassurance that these motors are in good shape and without those cracks. The cracks can be repaired, but it's fairly expensive these days and not many shops have the tools nor even a clue as to how. Then there is the cost of 'speed' parts in relation to the amount of horsepower potential. Your choice of a new crate 351W - a good one. You start with more cubic inches and more horsepower then the flattie will ever make right out of the box plus have the advantage of many years of improvements with metallurgy and air flow design.

Dave's right, and my message was pointed to the market pricing for the engines that have been totally redone, addressing any and all flaws that Dave points out. Your "....used to run, many years ago..." flatty is really just a good, complete core for a rebuild, isn't it? You're probably in the best area of the country to get top dollar for it - you'd be looking at less than $500 in the midwest, and likely a lot less. Here's one from CL in KC - $302 for engine & tranny...http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pts/2021173400.html

I'd take the money and run!!!

I'm with Dave,
Take the 1500 and run.
Just sold a runnin 53 Merc flatty for $700 and was real happy with that.

Originally Posted by REGs

I "gave" a flatty away with some other '46 ford parts I wasn't using. It was not rebuilt, that I know of, but was running. I sold it to a fellow CHR member for $500.00.

Keep the flatty in the '35.

Ratty 46

Yes, you did, and it was very much appreciated!


Don

I have two 37 pontiac flatheads. A six and eight, both straight. I loaded up the six yesterday to haul to the scrapyard. The eight looks like it's in better shape and I hate to throw that one away. My wife won't want it in the flower garden where I already have a wisconsin engine sitting. I know it don't turn over. Am I better off throwing it too? It takes up room which I don't have.

Originally Posted by Trjohn57

I have two 37 pontiac flatheads. A six and eight, both straight. I loaded up the six yesterday to haul to the scrapyard. The eight looks like it's in better shape and I hate to throw that one away. My wife won't want it in the flower garden where I already have a wisconsin engine sitting. I know it don't turn over. Am I better off throwing it too? It takes up room which I don't have.

Scrap it and buy a 6 pack!

Originally Posted by DA34GUY

Scrap it and buy a 6 pack!

Unless you can find someone in the Pontiac-Oakland group that needs it for a restoration...http://www.poci.org/