Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum
Trans Am Information => Trans Am Tech => DriveTrain => Topic started by: 1978 TArdboat on November 12, 2013, 11:09:21 AM
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I was given the opportunity to buy a fully rebuilt 1968 Pontiac 400 with Ram Air iii heads. Seller claims its an easy 450 horsepower. Owner says its from a 1968 GTO.
What would be the value of 68 400 engine with the heads? This is a fully rebuilt motor with valve covers, intake, and carb.
Thank you all for the opinions and input!
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It all depends on what was done to the heads and shortblock. RA III cores sell for $250-350, and a rebuild for those normally costs $500-700 (more if the shop added hardened exhaust seats, stainless valves, bronze guides, add $350-450). As for the shortblock, most rebuilds get stock cast pistons and rods, decent bearings and cast rings, so I'd put value of that at the core value of the block and crank ($400-600), new pistons, bearings, resized cast rods, cam, lifters, timing chain, pushrods, gasket set ($650-850), machine work ($600-800) and assembly ($600-1200). Of course prices depend on what machine shops charge in your area.
I would put value of a freshly rebuilt, stock-style carb-to-oil pan 68 400 with RA III heads at around $3500-4000. If that same engine had forged pistons, 5140 I-beams, rotating assembly balanced, 2.11/1.77 stainless valves, you could expect to pay $4500-5000.
Geno