how much would you pay for this?

[Hack]

Hi, please help me prepare for a meeting I have tomorrow.

I located a 351C that I want to buy to rebuild (unless it turns out to be total crap). I just got off the phone with the guy who has it. He hasn't advertised it for sale. I located him through a local Ford dealer. He's older and can't really work on cars any more, so he told me he's willing to sell it. He used to have a 71 and a 73 Mustang, and used to race, but he's sold most of his stuff.

Anyway, he thinks it's a 72 CJ motor. If so, I expect the casting number to be D2AE-CA. He says it's been sitting for years, and it likely needs a rebuild. There was a mouse nest in one of the heads at one time. I don't know, but I expect the engine has tins on it, but he said it doesn't have the accessories. There's an aluminum intake on it, but he thinks he has the original cast iron intake as well.

So, what would you pay for this?

Sorry for the long post, but I'm thinking the details matter.

 

[69 302/351c]

Did you ask him what he wants for it? Sounds like he just might want to get rid of it. Is it complete or all torn down?

 

[Hack]

Did you ask him what he wants for it? Sounds like he just might want to get rid of it. Is it complete or all torn down?

I hadn't gotten around to that yet. I think you are right, he may not want a lot. For some reason I thought I'd start by having a look at it. I should have asked.

I am fairly certain he doesn't need the money. I think it's probably long-block complete, plus an intake on it. Not sure about the tins. I know it doesn't have accessories or brackets, etc.

I spent some time searching ebay, and I see things from about $400-800. I will check to see if the heads are closed chamber D0AE-H, R or open D1ZE-DA, GA.

I guess if I can't see the condition or measure the diameter of the cylinders, I should assume it's rough and the value goes down. What do you think of my ball park pricing? Am I in the right neighborhood? I'm thinking I should take cash with me, in case it's a good deal so I can take it immediately.

 

[1973mach1]

I beleive they also made D1ZE heads in closed chambered, I have D1ZE-GA? and they are closed chambered.

Jim

 

[Hack]

I beleive they also made D1ZE heads in closed chambered, I have D1ZE-GA? and they are closed chambered.

Jim

I read further in my book and it contradicts itself (High Performance Ford Engine Parts Interchange, by George Reid). I see a table on the next page (48) where it lists your heads as 61-63 cc (closed). Thanks!
D0AE-G,H,M,N,R,D1ZE-GA closed (D1ZE-GA listed in table as D1AE-GA)
D1ZE-DA, D2ZE-A, D3ZE-AA open 74-77 cc
D1ZE-B 64-67 cc

After sleeping on it, I'm only going to buy it if the guy wants less than $250 for it and it looks in great shape, has closed chamber heads, and is fairly complete. Otherwise, I'll plan on walking away to at least think before buying. I'm not looking to build a racer, so the 4V setup is not what I really want. So I think I should only take it if it's a steal.

Any feedback?

 

[Hack]

well, the guy wants $750 for it. I think he paid somewhere around that for it, so he doesn't just want to sell for much less than that. He bought it at a swap meet years ago, and he's never done anything with it.

The motor had tins, edelbrock torker intake, distributor, water pump, starter, motor mounts and a manual bellhousing on it. what kills me is I couldn't find any of the casting marks. I know the block's marks should be right by the starter, maybe the starter prevented me from seeing them. I pulled the tins off the heads and couldn't see casting numbers on them either.

The heads have a 4 with a dot next to it. Looking at it, I know it was a 4V cleveland, but that's about it. He couldn't tell me if it had been bored out or not.

I don't think I'll buy it.

 

[ratio411]

That might not be a bad price for the engine.
The problem is you need to know alot more about it because that could be a really bad price if you find the info out after the deal.

Seriously, the heads, starter, bellhousing, and oil pan need to come of this thing before you spend that kind of money.
If he wants to get rid of it, he'll do it. Being into cars, he would expect the same if he was buying. If he doesn't agree, he is hiding something.
IF it is a 72 CJ, it should be open chamber and 4 bolt main.
He built the stuff up from swap meet parts though, it could be a mix of just about anything.
Good luck
Dave

BTW: Don't be afraid to offer less and stand your ground if you justify a value in your mind. If he sees that you will pay no more, he might just cut his losses. Give him your number in case he changes his mind. If he bought this stuff used years ago, Cleveland stuff used to sell for 2 to 3 times what it is worth now.
I remember when 4v closed heads brought 450 all day long at the swaps... now you are lucky to get 250, but I saw some go for 150 at the swaps this year.

 

[D.Hearne]

I paid $50 for a 351C 2 bbl motor sitting in a guy's front yard. Thsi one is a 2 bbl headed, 2 bolt block, and had TRW forged pistons,a Comp Cams 280H cam, and an Edelbrock F351 intake. Even after sitting in the weather for years, the block, crank and intake were still usable. What are "TINS"?

 

[allcarfan]

TINS - Total Intake Navigation System

Duh.

I wouldnt pay anymore than $500 for that engine, but thats just me

 

[Hack]

I paid $50 for a 351C 2 bbl motor sitting in a guy's front yard. Thsi one is a 2 bbl headed, 2 bolt block, and had TRW forged pistons,a Comp Cams 280H cam, and an Edelbrock F351 intake. Even after sitting in the weather for years, the block, crank and intake were still usable. What are "TINS"?

tins are the sheet metal things that go on the engine - valve covers, oil pan.

I just heard the term for the first time recently myself, I like it.

Wow I wish I had your luck! I just spent $350 for a complete engine at a junkyard, mostly because I need the tins, brackets, accessories, wiring... It would be really nice if I can use or sell the block, heads, etc. It may be too much money, but I think it's a better deal than $750 for an incomplete 4V motor that I also know nothing about.

I think that old guy needs to find a collector with more money than I.

 

[D.Hearne]

So that's what they are!! Never heard of the term, figured it was some kind of Aussie thing. I was trying to buy a 69/70 Stang parts car at the time along with a 73 Merc with a good 429 in it. He wouldn't sell the Stang and the Merc, but wanted $75 for the Cleveland. I offered him $50 cash and he jumped on it. Now the Stang and the Merc are gone , the yard cleaned up and even the run down house and barn are history ( progress)