[yanchik]

So I came across a guy on a Pontiac group on facebook. He’s selling a 1971 YS code 400 that was “fully rebuilt” with a cam. Sent me a video of it running. It sounds good. Asking 4K but it’s been posted for a while so I’m hoping to offer him 3k.

My question is: What is a fair price for a rebuilt 400? Also, is anyone here selling a 400?

[rod cole]

There is steel of a deal on pro touring for a 400 with edelbrock heads for 2500 in cali

[ZeGermanHam]

Did the seller rebuild it himself, or did he pay a reputable shop to perform the work (and has paperwork to prove it)? If he built it himself, or says he had a shop build it but doesn't have the paperwork, I personally wouldn't put my money toward that. Too many stories of people buying rebuilt engines that run okay for a while, but then suffer premature failure. For a purchase as big as an engine, you need to buy from someone who will stand behind their work.

[T/A addict]

I have gotten burnt twice lately on a couple he said/she said supposedly recent good running rebuilds so I would be very apprehensive from now on myself but a video of it running does add confidence in making the deal happen.

[Torquewar]

Post #3 pretty much covers it, documentation is key. .Ive met many honest people but some exaggerate the truth on something like this.
Anyone can buy parts but its the machine work and clearances/ assembly that matter .

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by T/A addict

I have gotten burnt twice lately on a couple he said/she said supposedly recent good running rebuilds so I would be very apprehensive from now on myself but a video of it running does add confidence in making the deal happen.

Seeing it run for a few seconds or minutes in a video doesn't add any confidence, IMO. It proves that it runs at that moment in time, but it does not tell you anything about the bearing clearances.

A guy I recently met told me about when he bought a rebuilt engine from someone he didn't know from out of state. It was indeed rebuilt, but he could not get it to stop overheating. He tried all the normal stuff to make it run cooler, without success. He ultimately had to pay a local shop to tear the whole engine down and rebuild it over again, which fixed the overheating issue. Many thousands of dollars were wasted because the previous engine builder didn't know what he was doing.

[PunchT37]

When the vid shows operating temp and good oil pressure, that should tell you something about the bearings.

[b-man]

Put your 3k towards something you have control of, an engine you contract a reputable shop to build to your needs.

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by PunchT37

When the vid shows operating temp and good oil pressure, that should tell you something about the bearings.

Perhaps somewhat, but it's very easy to flash the camera at a set of gauges to show some water temp and oil pressure, but it won't show you if temps keep going up.

Anyway, my point is buyer beware. I wouldn't make a habit of buying rebuilt engines from strangers on the internet with unknown skills.

[leeklm]

Agreed 110% with everything said here!! To some, throwing a set of rings and bearings into a non prepped block is considered a "rebuild".

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[F ROCK]

I sold my very good running, complete, original carb to pan 1971 YS400 in 2020 for $1200. It was not a recent rebuild; but it ran great.

I'd always thought that if the seller cannot show receipts for the work, it didnt happen.

[Goatracer1]

You all make good points but trying to find a local shop to rebuild your engine is no joy either. I had an engine rebuilt twice by different local shops that had been in business for years and had good reputations. Neither one did a good job and I had to have it rebuilt a third time by a shop 2 states away.

[ZeGermanHam]

Yep, that's why if you can't find a reputable shop locally, you find a reputable shop further afield - someone who will warranty their work. What you definitely don't do is buy from a stranger who is neither a professional builder nor a known and reputable individual (i.e., an internet stranger). If you can find a running engine for around $1k, then maybe it's worth considering rolling the dice, but when you're talking $3-4k like we are here, that is not the time to take a gamble with a stranger.

And Goatracer, you make a good point about not all shops being good, either. Finding a truly good business that does machine work and engine building is hard, but you will find many shops claiming they are the best. It just isn't so.

[62posbonny]

All of these people are right. I have a buddy that bought a rebuilt 0 miles 455 that sat for 3 years for $1,000. Even with the paperwork from the builder showing all work done and parts used it was a gamble. Went there with a bore scope and pulled the pan to see the evidence of a fresh engine and took it home. It was a stock rod .040 over cast piston rebuild with 96 heads and a mild comp cam. We'll see if it pans out, but at least the machine work looks fresh and have shop paperwork. No way I would spit out $3k without riding in the car it is in for a good spell and keeping an eye on temps and oil pressure.

[grivera]

For just a little more:

http://lenwilliamsautomachine.com/400_Long_Block.html

[mgarblik]

As an engine builder, I would not spend 3-4K on a Facebook "rebuilt" engine. With the following exceptions: The engine comes with complete and comprehensive documentations with all internal dimensions, measurements, clearances, parts list of exactly what is in the engine, all the undersizes, oversizes, and machining procedures. I can "rebuild" a Pontiac V8, with a ball hone and Ebay parts for $400-600. It will start and make noise and not smoke. Do you want to pay 3-4K for that one? Or I can take that same block and heads and spend 5-6K really doing it right, the way it's supposed to be done. I will take that one. That's why it's such a crap shoot.

[John Milner]

$4,000 would go a long way with buying and building your own engine that you would know exactly what kind of parts are inside. A 71 YS isn't that rare of an engine to justify spending that kind of money with no documentation on the engine build. I would price the engine at about what the parts that you can see are worth. I might add a little more if it clearly runs fine. However, there is no way I would pay up for something someone promises me about the engine. In that situation, buy only what you can see.

[JSchmitz]

Agree with all the tips. If you can't fully verify the rebuild, only pay what the parts are worth if it were in pieces.

[Formulabruce]

A buddy had his 400 rebuilt by a shop that does a lot of Pontiacs. Showed a pic of it on dyno, no video and a dyno sheet.
The cost was around 5K
I looked at the paperwork and NOTHING was BALANCED.
Valves were all kept, but I told my buddy to call them and at least get some BBC screw in studs in his #12's .
It did get new guides and a lap job.
Basic TRW slugs ( not weighed.. )
Called and asked them about balancing... "Oh we dont balance street engine Pontiacs. "
So we have Unbalanced, No stainless Ex valve, and a .030 bored motor
Easily could have been built here and I would have balanced it.
You dont always get what ya think .
So the seller has 10K in slips and a good running engine and doesnt overheat ( none should if below 10:1)
and the buyer wants to reduce the price from 4K down to 3K , really rub in that loss....
All sides of this one can take...

[moontower69]

Originally Posted by rod cole

There is steel of a deal on pro touring for a 400 with edelbrock heads for 2500 in cali

would love to see that 400 as I'm in CA