What would you pay for...

[moparmonkey]

A running, "rebuilt by a previous owner" '55 230?

I may have a chance to buy a running, supposedly rebuilt, 1955 230 with a '53 head on it. Still in the truck, so I'll be able to hear it run, but there are no receipts and no info on the rebuild, just the previous owner's word it was rebuilt prior to the seller buying it. The truck the engine is in did sit for a few years, but the seller cleaned it up and has it running now. He never pulled the head or anything, but says the engine runs well and has low miles since the rebuild (parked longer than it was used).

Assuming it was actually rebuilt, and lets say to stock specs, what's it worth?

[Dan Babb]

I wouldn't go more than $300-500. Sure, it could be fine...but what if it's not?

Maybe more if it really does sound good AND you run a compression check. See if anyone has details on what the compression range should be on a newly rebuilt motor.

That test alone should really give you an idea if it really was rebuilt.

Maybe you can also get a water tester and check the coolant for any signs of oil in it.

Just trying to think of some easy things you can do to check it out before buying it.

[moparmonkey]

Thanks Dan!

As soon as I found out I could hear it run I was thinking compression check. It won't tell you everything, but it's a good start. Although if it was rebuilt to stock specs the dynamic compression won't be all that high anyway, at least compared to more modern engines. I think I have the spec somewhere.

Unfortunately I'm pretty sure the seller isn't on the same page with regard to the price. He's asking quite a bit more, which is why I asked. I was thinking pretty much the same thing you were, and wanted to make sure I wasnt missing something...

[Dave72dt]

Consider it a running core as it has no documentation and price it accordingly. May be a quality rebuild and was stored properly or it could be a wire brush and spray can rebuild. Do a compression check, check oil for signs of water(fresh oil is not always a good sign) do a cold engine startup and check for smoke,warm it up enough to check for overheating.

[moparmonkey]

Thanks Dave!

I totally agree with the "running core" philosophy, I have no way to know how the engine was rebuilt. Obviously, since I can hear it run, I can have some idea of how it runs now, but that's no guarantee of a rebuild, or how it will do in the future with a few more miles.

Unless I can get the seller to come closer to the price point I'm thinking I doubt I'll be buying it. It'd be nice, since I suspect the engine is in better shape than the one that I have. But I think the engine I have will run too with a little work, so its really not saving me anything unless it really is a complete rebuild.

[MBF]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but its a running core until proven otherwise. I bought a 6 cyl Chevy years ago to replace a worn out motor in a pickup. Supposedly had less than 100 miles on the rebuild-freshly painted block, looked real clean. Installed it and it ran for a week. When we pulled it apart we found a huge amount of rust and pitting inside. Went back to the seller, and he went back to the guy that he bought it from. Yes it had been rebuilt, but it sat underwater for awhile before it was rescued from a farmer's pond. If he wants a lot more than 3-500 consider rebuilding a known core. Buyer beware. Mike

[Jim Shepard]

Last year a friend gave me one. I thought that was about right...

[Young Ed]

Dads 63 valiant was in need of a slant 6. I was talking to a fellow mopar guy at work who said he had a low milage rebuilt one that they pulled out because even after the rebuilding it wasnt enough so they went for a v8. Anyway he said $50 for it and when we got there he had sold the carb so we ended up paying $40. I'm not saying you should expect to get it for that cheap but I certainly wouldnt pay anywhere near what it costs to rebuild one.

[52b3b Joe]

i just bought a good running desoto 228ci long block with a working/shifting vacumm shift fluid drive for $200 if that helps get an idea??

[moparmonkey]

Thanks for the input guys. I ended up not even going out to see the engine. The seller just wanted way too much for it considering the lack of information. He was asking almost as much money as it would cost to rebuild one, and I don't mean on the cheap either. I really don't think it would have been worthwhile to haggle with him, to even get in the ballpark I'd have to get him to go for half what he was asking originally.

I'm just going to go back to cleaning up the 218 I have, and hope I can getting running for a bit while I continue to collect parts. It seems like NOS 218/230 parts show up on eBay on a fairly regular basis, and seem to go for pretty darn cheap. I think if I collect parts for a bit I'll be able to rebuild it for less than what the seller wanted for his supposedly rebuilt engine. And then I'll know that it was done right.