[kalvert]

Found this on CL this morning, need to drop a temporary motor in my 65 Bonneville while my original motor gets sent to Butler. You guys think this would be a good candidate?

“PONT 400 REBUILT - ALL NEW PARTS - #96 HEADS NEW VALVE JOB - DECKED .005 - BORED .060 OVER - E-TECK PISTONS -NEW TURNED CRANK .010 RODS-- .010 MAINS --RESIZED RODS --MELLING CAM ACTUAL DURATION & LIFT 204-214 / 420 - 443 112LC -- ELDBROCK P4B INTAKE - GATES WATER PUMP --BOP-2 PIECE REAR MAIN SEAL-- CAM BROKE IN - HAVE BUILT SHEET”




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stuart]

Seems like a reasonable price but is it worth $2,900 to you, so you can continue to drive the car while waiting for Butler to do their work?

[goatwgn]

Sounds like a good deal. Especially if you can hear it run. If it is worth it to you, like Stuart said, to have a temporary engine. You could always sell it when you get your engine back from the Butlers.

[ZeGermanHam]

It's a fairly low cost proposition. However, hearing it run doesn't for a few minutes on a garage test stand is nice, but offers only limited reassurance, IMO. A poorly machined or assembled engine could sound fine with no load, or even seem okay after being installed in a car but then have a major problem after a little while. It just comes down to the quality of the work performed. Personally, if buying from a stranger on the internet, I'd want to use a borescope to look through the plug holes into the cylinders to confirm that it was actually rebuilt, and that only confirms it was rebuilt, but not how well. Many people have been burned, including my brother who bought a fully rebuilt engine that sounded fine when run on a test stand but developed a significant rod knock soon after.

[b-man]

I’d be looking for a $500 running used complete 326 or 350 Pontiac engine.

They’re out there priced from cheap to free.

Personally I wouldn’t invest 3 grand for a temporary engine when you can get a new rebuild for not too much more from a reputable Pontiac engine builder.

[Sirrotica]

Kind of like buying a an automatic transmission that is already removed from the car. Unless there is some written document that assures you that you can have another replacement, (usually 30 days from purchase) or a refund of your money, you're gambling the seller knows what he's talking about, and is honest....... your call.

From the ad, it sounds fine for your intended purpose.

I usually try to buy a used engine, or transmission at, or around core pricing from an individual, because trying to get a refund, you know the money is spent before you get the unit installed, so forget about a refund. Now if you're buying from a business, they have a reputation, and you get a receipt with usually a written limited warranty on used parts.

Individuals would have to be brought to small claims court, and obviously most people will just lick their wounds, and go on.

I once bought a used transmission from a former friend, that I decided to pull the pan before installing it. revealing a huge amount of clutch material and shrapnel. Ended up putting clutches in one clutch pack, because the sprag in the converter as bad, and burned the clutches out of one gear. He didn't do anything, and I never spoke to him again.

Funny thing is he needed a 455 crankshaft a few years later, (before there were replacement cranks being made) and tried to buy one from me through a third party....LOL I told the third party that he could tell the former friend, I wouldn't sell him a crank ever. Karma works.

[25stevem]

First off do you live where winter will not keep you from driving the car before Butler gets your motor done?
Can you justify blowing 3K for being able to for instance drive the car another 500 miles before the Butler motor goes in?

If the Butler motor will be making a good amount more power then stock then I would strongly consider using that $2900 in funds to beef the car up and up grade it’s fuel system especially if the new motor will top 450 hp.

I had one of those Beautiful B body cars, and they are a heavy car to lug around and need a good fuel system even when there not at WOT!

[61-63]

What b-man said.

[Skip Fix]

Put a load on it and it might "fog for mosquitoes!".

[77 TRASHCAN]

Then there's the question...........Why is it for sale???

[1965gp]

There is a 63 389 on Houston Craigslist for $1200- less risk but I think a 63 engine has the starter on the transmission and may not work.

I’m in Houston too and would love to see your Bonneville sometime. I have a soft spot for full size ‘65’s since I have a ‘65 Grand Prix.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by 1965gp

There is a 63 389 on Houston Craigslist for $1200- less risk but I think a 63 engine has the starter on the transmission and may not work

Definitely pass on anything ‘63 or earlier due to incompatibility.

[1965gp]

https://houston.craigslist.org/pts/d...439394267.html

[b-man]

Originally Posted by 1965gp

https://houston.craigslist.org/pts/d...439394267.html

Advertised here on PY as well, but again it’s a no go for anything later than a ‘63.

[1965gp]

Agree. This is why I have some back up 350’s

[4dblnkldude]

If you were closer I'd sell you a strong running 350 for $300 and a case of shiner bock!!

[Mr Anonymous]

Originally Posted by b-man

I’d be looking for a $500 running used complete 326 or 350 Pontiac engine. They’re out there priced from cheap to free. Personally I wouldn’t invest 3 grand for a temporary engine when you can get a new rebuild for not too much more from a reputable Pontiac engine builder.

I was looking for something similar to run the Studebaker whilst the pontiac 455 was getting fixed. I got a good running late 400 for $350. It runs so damn good that the other engine has been on the stand for 3 years and Ive not even torn it down.

The reason for the cheap price on the 400? Guy I got it from said "I need some money pretty quick, I got my ex-wife pregnant and my girlfriend is completely pissed..." I am dead serious. Ive known the guy 20 years, it was true.