I know it runs pretty well because I rode in teh car it came out of. also has an o/d trans hooked to it. Any ideas on what its worth? the guy wants $800 but I think that too much. Gary
If it's a good runner with an O/D transmission, it's worth it . . . unless you live in New England where the folks in the know buy them for a couple of hundred bucks in excellent condition.
Yep, and I just bought another one home on Wednesday. Pulled the heads and intake and it looks like a recent rebuild. I love street rod idiots putting a SBC in otherwise fine Ford iron; a 49 F1 in this case with EAB heads, aluminum front cover, Johnsons and "maybe" a Merc crank. I also bought this home from a different source on Wednesday, not sure exactly what it is yet. Seems too long for a T Bucket, a suicide front end would put the WB at around 116"
That's exactly what I payed for that combo. I sold the OD for $150. Dave Tatom get's about fifteen large for a rebuilt flatty. How's $650 sound to you now?......
That would be a bit high here in the midwest.............but if you know some history and/or have a great confidence level, thats worth quite a premium. I'd try to get it down and if had no luck and wanted it..........I'd go for it!!
I've had a 49 with o/d. complete as pulled from a smooth running car, low miles on a .060 build. Been trying to get $500 or so for a year. Even had it in the HAMB cl***ifieds no fewer than 3 different times. Took it to a swap meet last week and asked $250, had lots of lookers and ended up selling it for $100 at closing so I didn't have to bring it home and deal with it anymore. And FWIW I had a head off so you could look in.
That was a steal, If in the market I woulda gone $250, gambled more for one to find that it need a rebuild. I wouldt be cool to set up a test stand to be able to run them occasionally at a swap, then it would make a difference. I am up to my ears in motors now but if I have the jack I would buy another. Even running I wouldn't go 800, especially when having potential runners already at home, and there are no guarantees. Could be bubbles in the radiator the next day after you buy it. But, I look at the value of what used parts are still good, IE, oil pressure and compression. Rings bearings gaskets cleaning and valve grinding will cost $500 parts.
Always a good idea to try and negotiate down. That said, if the flattie and trans are in great condition $800 is not a bad deal. I've paid as low as $50 but also as much as $600 for a low mile after factory rebuild motor that had the relieved block. On that one, the deal I made was that the seller would agree to help me strip the heads and manifold for inspection and if there were any problems I could walk. The relieved block was unknown to the seller and was a pleasant surprise for me. Good luck, maybe you can get it for much cheaper.
What would it cost to rebuild one? Any good running flattie with a trans should be worth that $800.00...sure you find a deal now and then but I get $400.00 plus for a Merc that needs a rebuild and I've been getting $150-200 for stuck 8BA's....now how does $800.00...cheap to me...
Economics 101: Supply and Demand Out here in rural New England the supply seems bottomless thus the low prices. Trucks with running flatheads and Y blocks are being given away just to get them out of the yard since it costs money to have a junkie get them.
Almost any Flatty is a roll of the dice unless you are picking up the block from the shop where it was just magged and checked out. Ask anyone who builds them and they will tell you how many they drag home and tear down that are junk. More than are good usually. Often going through 3 or 4 blocks, and more, to find one that doesn't have serious cracks.
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