1968 Matching # 302

[franklinair]

I have located the original 302 from my GT/CS. The PPO has it, disassembled, partially O'hauled (.030 bored, .010 bearings). The heads are untouched as yet. My questions & requested opinions are:
If he & I agree on price, what's it worth?
Added value to the car? (If any.)
I'm not building my car to concourse level- just a high end driver/occasional show,some upgrades.
If this works out, I'll want the engine to be slightly improved- no extreme mods (sorry Rob). I look at an engine as an air pump: efficient intake, efficient combustion, unobstructed exhaust, smooth (meaning balanced).
I'm not an engine guru, so ideas & suggestions are most welcome.

Neil

 

[somethingspecial]

Don't seperate the two.

I personally do not like the idea of seperating a #s matching engine from the car. I'ts OK to put another engine in the car, but you should at least keep the original equipment, even in storage, to follow the car as it passes on to its next caretaker. JMHO. If you can secure the engine, I would and just put it in a crate for the future.

 

[Matstng]

Tough question Neil, I'd say that motor on the SoCal "open" market would be worth around $650 but for you it's worth at least twice that.
Increased value of your car? I'm not sure of that but I'd say it would be more than the $650 premium you may have to pay.
How much is too much???? That's up to you to decide.

Look up a few motors in your area and offer the guy $100 more and see what happens. Always remember: Asking price is not selling price

Good luck

 

[di81977]

How much of the original engine is there? Heads, Intake and Exhaust manfolds, Carb, Distributor, Coil, Water Pump, Alternator, Air Cleaner assembly. If it is just the original block, those additional parts could add up and/or be difficult to find.

Tough call. I'd guess you would be into the engine +/- $2,000 just for internals and machine work. I agree with Mike, buy it, store it and keep it with the car.

My opinion - If it is a complete engine, I'd shoot for $500 but would be willing to go to $1,000 due to its unique value to the car.

 

[p51]

If the only thing that is not original about the car is the engine (and maybe just a few other reversible things) then buying and storing the numbers matching engine *might* be a good investment (for the right price) just in case someone ever wants to take it back to concours. If it was a 390 or one of rarer models of course it would be definite "yes".

One of the nice things (and the reason I bought a generic 302) about not having a rarer model or having a car that is past the "point of no return" with modifications is that all the angst is gone - you can play with it to your heart's content. :grin:

 

[rvrtrash]

I'd go $500 with the work that's been done, and possibly as high as $1,000, and then do like Mike said and stick it away. You can only have the original once, and once it's gone, there's (usually) no getting it back.

Steve

 

[Ruppstang]

I'd go $500 with the work that's been done, and possibly as high as $1,000, and then do like Mike said and stick it away. You can only have the original once, and once it's gone, there's (usually) no getting it back.

Steve

+1 I would pay 1K more for a car with matching #s
Marty

 

[franklinair]

I passed on the 302. The seller is asking $2K for the disassembled, partially O/H'd engine. The numbers don't crunch as far as cost versus benefit.
I'll eventually find a 302 that I can build to my specs, maybe even an aftermarket fuel injection. Time is on my side.

Neil

 

[robert campbell]

I must be missing something here. I think if you have the "authentic" numbers VIN matching "J" code 302 for your car, that in the future it would be a huge value to the car.

I would keep the block and heads somehow. The intake and exhaust manifolds. If my engine (authentic) would not have been cracked in two bulkheads, the block would still be in my car.

Rob

 

[BigJim]

It might be because I come from the Chevy world and was trained that numbers matching is everything, but to me the born with engine is worth what I have to pay to get it. I would kill to get the original engine for my 69 Camaro. The car was new once and that engine was its heart. Make a deal and get that engine. Once you get it back into the car the pride you will feel when someone asks you "Is that a numbers car?" and you respond "YES, it has the born with engine!" is s special kind of feeling. And yes, my GT/CS is a numbers car so I know of what I speak.

 

[franklinair]

Here's the math: Opinions estimate $1,000 added value to the car, with #'s matching engine.

$2,000 purchase + $500 to retrieve it + $1,500 to O/H=$4,000.

The economics outweigh the benefit. I guess I'm just not that much of a 'purist' to absorb $3,000 cost above & beyond the presumed added value of the car. But that's just me. I've been doing Mustangs since 1980+/-, and I only do 1968's (well, once or twice I did a '67 ) I don't take them to concourse level, but I do take them to an exceptional driver level, to the point that some MCA shows try to put my cars in the concourse judging class. After I build it, I drive it. But again, that's just me.

Neil

 

[Ruppstang]

Neil,
I would wait him out. You are right it is not worth that much. Who else is going to give any where near that much for it. Marty

 

[joedls]

Neil,
I would wait him out. You are right it is not worth that much. Who else is going to give any where near that much for it. Marty

That's some very sensible advice, IMHO.

 

[68 special]

like you said Neil,"time is on your side". I agree with Marty.


Bret

 

[Midnight Special]

...All good advice for a tough scenario, but at least the opportunity is there...
Good luck, Neil! 'Great post!

 

[hookedtrout]

Neil said it best.

 

[robert campbell]

I once had a matching 428 Cobra Jet and C6 same VIN from a 1969 Torino. I am sure the car was crushed years ago, but had it not..... I bet a savy owner would have paid a bunch for it..... I knew it was gone and now this engine is in a 69 Mach I.

The original vin number motor for your car....... The engine it left the assembly line with..... Priceless!!

Just my opinion. And I am certainly not a concurs guy. I agree with Big Jim on this one.

Rob