[Diego]

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/...k-to-sell.html

I'm in the process of getting a 400 Pontiac ram air IV engine ready to sell, and I have some questions. The block is still standard bore with some pitting from water sitting in it for years, and the deck is pitted enough that I feel it should be square decked for the rebuild when that time comes. I figure the buyer will come somewhere from an on line sale and probably not come to look the engine over before purchase.
My questions would be if I should deck the block, losing the factory markings that are stamped there now, and ruff bore the cylinders enough to know for sure what size the cylinders will clean up at leaving it to the buyer to have it finish honed by his engine builder. The only reason I think it should be square decked first is so that when it is ruff bored everything is square. Would hate to not deck it first, only to find out it could be way off and not be able to finish hone without going the next size over in the bore.
Am I thinking right that a buyer would rather loose the originality of the markings and know for sure what he is buying, over buying something completely untouched with a lot of unknowns. Sorry this is not mopar related, and no this is not a for sale add.

Advice? I've given him the link to this thread.

[69goatboy]

Other than soaking it down in a preservative oil, I'd say leave it alone, but make any potential buyer aware of those areas that he pointed out.

Machinists don't like to pick up where another machinist left off.
Plus, any machine work that he has done to it likely isn't going to elevate the value, so he's throwing away money if he does. IMO.

[Bermuda Blue]

Decking the block will not remove any important markings. There may be some stamps on the deck but they do not identify the block.

That being said, i agree with the above post.

[dataway]

Yep, if I was buying one I'd want it untouched. If he's in the market for that kind of engine he's going to know his stuff most likely and probably has his own guy that he prefers for engine work.

[R68GTO]

Agree with not touching it prior to selling. I would also suggest that he spend the $65 for the PHS and see if he can find the car that matches it. That block will be worth much more to the car's owner than anyone else that may be interested.

[69goatboy]

Originally Posted by R68GTO

Agree with not touching it prior to selling. I would also suggest that he spend the $65 for the PHS and see if he can find the car that matches it. That block will be worth much more to the car's owner than anyone else that may be interested.

Good point.
Could be a longshot, but likely worth the PHS fee.

I also agree with getting the block mag checked for cracks as they Mopar guys suggested.

The original post seems to indicate that he has the entire RAIV engine. If so, he should probably investigate all of the part numbers of the other components to confirm that they are indeed what he thinks they are.

The block is only one piece of the puzzle.

[starlightblack]

Block was found with cracked pistons and a spun crank, it had been in a barn for decades. I've been back and forth with the guy for a year giving him stamping numbers, carb numbers and distributor numbers, told him what 'SR' meant etc., even made him a very fair offer that saw him make $4000 without him touching one thing. But since I told him what it is he has BIG DOLLAR signs in his eyes and because he is a machinist by trade he thinks he can make a silk purse out of this thing and get maximum profit. Best of luck. I hope he's right, everybody deserves a little gold at the end of the rainbow. P.S.> car was demolished, wadded up

[marxjunk]

oh well its part of it...if he can make a hit good for him...

hed be better off leaving it alone...disassemble it..mag it all...figure out whats what and sell it left as its is

[Alanjnc]

Originally Posted by starlightblack

Block was found with cracked pistons and a spun crank, it had been in a barn for decades. I've been back and forth with the guy for a year giving him stamping numbers, carb numbers and distributor numbers, told him what 'SR' meant etc., even made him a very fair offer that saw him make $4000 without him touching one thing. But since I told him what it is he has BIG DOLLAR signs in his eyes and because he is a machinist by trade he thinks he can make a silk purse out of this thing and get maximum profit. Best of luck. I hope he's right, everybody deserves a little gold at the end of the rainbow. P.S.> car was demolished, wadded up

Glad they had the sense to pull the engine back then.
I'm interested. PM me if you get it.
Alan

[Judge273]

Based on starlights pix. Yeah, 4K would have been a buyers delight number. Carb alone worth that...

[starlightblack]

Originally Posted by Judge273

Based on starlights pix. Yeah, 4K would have been a buyers delight number. Carb alone worth that...

I didn't offer him 4k - I offered him 4k on TOP of the 'not insignificant' amount he paid for the engine, so over 7k total.

[Judge273]

My guess he wants 10k? 4K carb, 2k heads, 2k manifolds, 1k distr, timing, water pump, 1k block...

[starlightblack]

Originally Posted by Judge273

My guess he wants 10k? 4K carb, 2k heads, 2k manifolds, 1k distr, timing, water pump, 1k block...

Most likely - 4K for that crusty 7029273 carb core is a little rich. I've been offered real, rebuilt ones for that.