The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Value of well built & strong engine and tranny combo?

I am putting this posting here because I am not sure where the "right" place is, and I do NOT want to put it under "parts for sale" for reasons thats hould become obvious as you read this posting.

Please bear with me. I don't know much about Stovebolt engines yet.

As any of you who have been reading my SLURP series on this forum know, I am in the process of reengineering a 1955 1st Edition to my unique and interesting standards . Part of the changes will be replacing a perfectly good engine and tranny with a more modern one.

I am getting lots of emails and calls asking how much I will want for the engine and tranny I am removing, and some folks have indicatd a desire to test drive and buy the combo in advance of my removing it, since that is a far safer way to buy an engine and tranny that on a pallet.

I haev no idea what would be a fair price to both me and the buyer.

Here is what I have:

A really nice 261 that was rebuilt just 5000 miles ago. That can be verified by anyone, by checking out Carter Gresham's postings on this forum - he is the one I bought my truck from.

The engine's dynomometer performance is documented fully in comparison to other Stovebolt engines, in my SLURP posting number 10, which has all the dyno charts and other data. It is a real powerhouse for a Stovebolt engine.

It includes a dual Offenhouser intake, dual Carter Weber carbs, the historically "right" dual air cleaners, split Fenton exhaust, and the Bulldog cam. It runs perfectly. Carter had had this engine sourced, rebuilt, and installed when the original 235 started to feel really tired.

The transmission is the factory original cast iron Hydra-Matic. This is a real 4-speed automatic (not 3 plus overdrive) with a nice low first gear. It functions perfectly, and shifts crisply.

Both the engine and transmission will come out of the vehicle sometime in the next few weeks. I have one potential buyer, not a Stovebolt member, with a '53, who has already converted to open drive (has a 283 V8 in it now but wants to cvonvert back to the inline 6) who wants to buy BOTH the engine and tranny.

He wants to know how much I want for it. I have no idea what to tell him.

What would be a fair price, for engine, and separately the tranny? I want the prices to be fair to both buyer and seller. Obviously, I don't want to ask only actual prospective buyers, because they will clearly want to favor the lower end of any price range. So, I am posting hoping for a broader response.

Jim G

Hy JimGnitecki, I'll probably get shot over this, but knowing what it costs to overhaul one of those engines, and what options it has, I would say a fair price for the engine would be between $2500.00 - $3000.00. For a perfectly functioning four speed hydramatic which requires no work, I would think $800.00 - $1000.00 would be fair, hope that helps. I'll start ducking now!

The 235 engine in my '55 1st Series was rebuilt for $2380 in Pittsburgh in 1991.

The Jasper website lists a 1955 261 (4.3 L) for $4,300 plus and that's before you call them up and start talking about core charges, shipping, etc.

There is a lot more to the H-M transmission swap. truth is the frame is different as the srossmemners are heavier and engineeered so that trans can be removed from under the truck. Brake line routing different for same reason. Driveshaft length different, Linkage is one-off as well as neutral start switch, shift indicator, solenoid starter, pushbutton for the starter instead of old foot stomper, transmission floor cover which by the way, I would like to find the round cover for the hole in trans cover that goes over dipstick access.

A 261 is a VERY desirable engine in stock form.Check info over on www.inliners.org And with the mods you have and recent rebuild, I'd start in the 3K range and ask for bids(Not EBAY) from interested buyers.

Greg H: The potential buyer works in a hot rod shop, so the fabrication required is not an issue for him.

DrewP: I see what you mean. Larrowe says he has a WAITING LIST for 261 engines, let alone one that has been properly historically-respectfully been modded.

I am not trying to get maximum bucks for it by any means though. I was want to sell for a price that is fair to buyer and seller.

Jim G

If the potential buyer gets it and isn't really interested in the transmission and linkage, I may be interested in talking with him. I would like to pick up a spare transmission someday or at least a few odd parts. Thank You, G.H.

If you haven't pulled it yet, you may consider offering the buyer a test drive with it in place. I payed a little extra for the GMC 302 I bought because the seller had it hooked up to a test stand when I picked it up. I got to start it cold and run it. I couldn't drive it because it was out of a wrecked truck but at least I got to fire it.

Yes, that is very much my intent. I know I myself would have loved to have the opportunity to see, hear, and test drive the LS engine that I will buy. That's why I want to try to offer it, and sell it, before we actually pull it out on a weekend.

Jim G

Wow. You guys were right on.

I posted an ad here last night at a modestly sensible price for the combo of engine and tranny, and it sold within 1/2 day.

Aactually, Mike J was going to buy it last night already, but I enocuraged him to sleep on it, he did, and called me this morning to firm the deal.

Thanks for the wise counsel, guys. I appreciate it.

Jim G