Hot Rods school me on this 303 rocket engine $3,800????

came across this engine on CL, is this motor worth the $3,800 he's been offered? Close to home for me but really?
https://cnj.craigslist.org/pts/d/1949-complete-v8-303/6729665292.html

 

He should have accepted that offer.

 

2 words: walk away!

 

one to many zeros

 

That seems very high to me. Early Olds' are desirable and worth some money but that price seems like the price for a freshly rebuilt one, or one with a lot of early speed parts on it. "Running good when pulled, low miles" is a pretty big leap of faith.

 

Make a realistic offer and wait it out. Call his bluff. It's likely worth about $1,200 as there's a trans and it looks complete. My guess is you'll get a call in about 2 weeks.

 

Dude is delusional......................If he really turned down 3800, he is a fool.

 

I’m thinking a thousand bucks but i would still like to see it running first.

 

In todays market low miles means around 100K. In the 50's 100K ment totally used up. Says pulled it out Many Years ago when the car had no value. That could mean 1970's. If it's been on the Floor for 50 years and not turned, even it a heated garage it's just parts, not a running motor. At best it's just a Shot in the Dark. I wouldn't make any deal till I could at least rotate the motor by hand 4 full rotations. If it won't do that, it's a Core.
The Wizzard

 

To an actual restorer, it may be worth that much...

 

Huh, I didnt know New Jersey marijuana legalization passed.

 

to much. its going to need some work ,more than likely.

 

POOF!

 

Well if someone offered 3800 and he turned it down there were more than one fool in the room.
I'm thinking the 1000 /1200 is about right for it as an unknown quantity that is complete with all the original pieces that a restorer might want. That's figuring you are probably going to put at least 3k into the engine and trans to bring it back up to snuff though.

 

For $3800 I've seen crappy to decent 4 door cars surrounding this kind of drivetrain. I think 1/3 of that asking is too much...

 

No, untouched means wore out sludge lump. I just sold a complete core with a 3 deuce and 4bbl manifold for $250. The reason I sold it is I bought a motor and trans from Ross Racing, can hardly wait!!!

 

At the most this is still considered a core and will have to be completely gone though, even the turtle and hydra-matic.
$1500

 

A couple of years ago, I bought a complete rebuilt '51 303 Olds for $2000. It has an Offenhauser dual quad intake and a set of Gotha adjustable rocker arms. I pulled the rocker covers, intake and valley cover, and it was indeed a fresh engine with an Iskendarian cam. When I get back from Florida next spring, I am going to mount it on my test stand and fire it up and see where I am. Oh yeah, I'd sell it for $3800.

BTW, I have a stick flywheel and adapters to both early and late Ford transmissions.

 

I don"t know what he is smoking but it must be some good stuff.

 

If I can’t hear it run I have to consider it a core, I feel it’s way to high


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

I've torn down a lot of those engines in the last 60 years. I never saw one that didn't have a substantial ridge at the top of the bore.Lots of them were driven by old folks that never got them above 2000 rpm. Seen a few blow up when some kid got one and revved it up to 4000. It's a core, plain and simple.

 

3800 for an old, sitting, rusted engine and trans?!?

Wow I got some beach front property in the Everglades to sell ya.

 

I bought this '50 303 with 3 spd manual transmission with steering column this spring for less than a third of that.
It came out of a restored car, runs great, good oil pressure, and no smoke.

 

I wouldn't pay more than 100.00 bucks for that rusted beater.... Even if it did turn over.....

 

$300 would be my offer, an Olds is a Windsor is a LA insofar as I am concerned. An engine is an engine, and that seems to be a core unless you can turn it over yourself by hand. Then, $500 unless you can fire it up. $1k if it runs well, $500-700 if it runs poorly.

 

The old adage that's where two fools meet. I think this was a better deal https://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-Oldsm...vip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m43663.l10137

 

Can someone school me?
Is that transmission an early "single range" Hydramatic? Isn't a Dual Range much more desirable?
Anybody still around to overhaul the early Hydros? My trans guy just turned 90+ years old and doesn't work on them anymore!!

 

My 53 Olds came with a dual range Hydramatic, but make certain that you know what the transmission looks like, because the Hydramatic plant burned down and a lot of 53 engines were supplied with the Dynaflow pos.
Bob

 

He should have taken that offer!

 

Calling bullshit on his turned down offer