What's it worth?

[Tom of VA]

I went to look at '70 LTD today with a 390 2V. The car was 100% junk but the motor ran ok. No smoke and no clatter. I was thinking pulling the motor for a spare to rebuild. What's a running 390 worth? Is it worth the trouble to pull the engine and have the car towed away? Any issues unique to 1970?

[olddog]

It depends on what you plan to use in the build. Aftermarket heads, intake, cam, and stroker rotating assembly, and your pretty much left with only using the block.

Give a $100 and you should get that back for scrap metal when you take the car in. So you would only have time and gasoline invested.

[Tom of VA]

Thanks,
If it were a 428 or 429 I would have bought it. The car has a valid inspection so I could drive it home. I offered $200 and she said was going to wait a little longer. I think $300 would have gotten it, but I didn't think 390s were all that rare? Plus, getting rid of the carcass after pulling the motor seems like a pain. I don’t think scrap yards pick up cars anymore?

[Woodz428]

Originally Posted by Tom of VA

Thanks,
I think $300 would have gotten it, but I didn't think 390s were all that rare? Plus, getting rid of the carcass after pulling the motor seems like a pain. I don’t think scrap yards pick up cars anymore?

You're right about 390s, although with a modern stroker they can be pretty wicked. The 360s are also the same block and were used( with the 390s) through the 70s in the majority of p/u trucks.

[Tom of VA]

I just found a local guy how will haul away the car for free after I pull the motor. I may call back tomorrow to see if it is still there. I just hate top see old engines go to waste.

[olddog]

With scrap metal being as high as it is, I'm sure lots of people will haul it away for free. I got $30 out of my old furnace.

[big-boss]

It's scrap iron-let it go. Especially with two barrel- might even be a 360 or 352. I know it is hard. Take the wife out for a nice night on the town-better investement. If it were a 428- different story.

[CobraEd]

Even if it is just a base 390, it looks period correct and can be made to run with just heads and a cam. The same modes we all make to all our engines anyway whether a 302, 351, 429, 460 etc etc. You would do the heads and cam anyway, so why not get a correct looking block?? !!

[Chaplin]

Originally Posted by Tom of VA

I just found a local guy how will haul away the car for free after I pull the motor. I may call back tomorrow to see if it is still there. I just hate top see old engines go to waste.

Last time I did something like this it was with a Chevy van. I paid $100 for the van, took the motor out, and the scrap guy gave me $85 for the van and hauled it away. I wound up getting a running engine (4-bolt main block) for $15, not a bad deal.

[xracerbob]

I'm with you Chaplin- when I did my FFR, I bought a donor Mustang (wrecked but running) for $1000, took what I needed and parted out the leftovers for $1400. It was a lot of work though.

[Tom of VA]

I didn't need it….. My SPF is complete with a nice 428 and running good. It's just that I have an extra set of nice FE heads in my basement that need a home and I'm suffering from project withdrawals! I have zero grease under my nails. I called the guy back to see if he was ready to let it go for 200 but someone came along and gave him 500. The only part of value on the whole car was the block and the C6 case. I suppose I will hold out for a 428 within driving distance. Any of you guys have any leads? I know of a PI block in my area but the guy wants $$ and he wants to keep the crank.
I NEED TO BUILD SOMETHING

[lovehamr]

If anyone here listened to Bill (from Southern Automotive) speak at the LCS then the answer would be clear: If you can and have the room to store it snag the thing! LOL

Steve