What's it worth? SBC 350..

I am looking into buying a 350 SBC for my '54 Bel Air to replace my tired 235. My buddy just pulled a "well used" 350 out of his late 70's Trans Am project. I don't know exactly which type of SBC it is or what it originally came out of. I know that it does run but it could use some serious TLC and a good rebuild. It also has a 350 auto Tranny along with it, which probably could also use a rebuild. I think it may also have a Holley carb. not sure which one though? He's asking $500.00 for everything as is. Since I am new to this hobby and need TONS of help..do you guys think it's worth $500??

 

Is it a 350 Chevy or a 350 Pontiac?

 

I traded a Complete 400 S/B Chev with an edelbrock manifold, Roller rockers, Mild cam, & some chrome for a Dropped axle

Just couldnt even stand the thought of a S/B Chevy in my parts pile.

 

The timing cover will tell you if its B.O.P. (Buick, Olds, Pontiac) or Chevrolet.

 

Not worth $500 if it needs to be gone thru, my body just bought a 1969 pontaic 400 that runs well for $250.00. Just my 2 cents tho...

 

you can buy a used chevy truck, caprice, etc for that and know it runs/shifts good. $500 is a fair price, IF complete and in decent shape.

 

Should be able to get a good runner that does not need to be rebuilt for $500

 

Needing rebuilds? Hell no.

I just found a GOOD running SBC with 350 tranny here for 300$. Hear it run in the truck no rebuild necessary. I think you could do better.

 

Sounds more like a brother in law, than a buddy.

 

We bought an 88 Chevrolet half ton 2wd for $500... pulled the running motor and trans out, sold the wheels and tires for $150, and scrapped the body for $200...

 

$150 core value

 

the only running SBC I have right now is the 350 in our FREE 1987 suburban....but it's too nice to part out

 

It's a Chevy 350..that someone dropped in the T/A back in the 70's..I know it ran when he had it in the car..but it def. needs work because it was leaking oil and some tranny fluid..I didn't know if it would be worth the money spent if I had to re-work the whole package. Sounds like the majority vote is a big NO!! Thanks for the advice guys! In your opinion how should I go about finding a good 350/350 combo..I honestly don't want to go buy a crate motor that's already done..they're OK but they just seem to have no soul to them..

 

150 core on the motor 50 to 75 core on the trans if running different story .

 

I can go to the local you-pull-it and get turning over 350s all day for $150 or so, the trans another $100. The only problem there is you can't see them run first, but if you have one out of the car you may as well go through and do an oil pump, timing set, and whatever other gaskets will be a pain in the ass to change on the car, and check it out for potential problems.

For $500 4 years ago I bought a 56,000 mile '89 Suburban that I have driven the crap out of, though. And I've been to auctions more recently, I've seen running Chevy V8 stuff sell just as cheap. I don't think I'd pay $500 for a high milage motor that needs a rebuild, even one as cheap to rebuild as a 350 is.

 

too much, my kid bought a running sbc at a local pick and pull for $160.

 

i'm kinda with everybody else think you can do better.i bought a runner yrs ago for $175.00 and did as rustynewyorker said.new timing set,oil pump and a rear main while out.just cheap insurance......................dave

 

Too much for a generic small block. If you knew for sure that it had four bolt mains and a forged crank and better than usual heads, it might be worth almost that. But it's probably just a usual ordinary small block that are a dime a dozen.

 

Hope your brother in law is a damn sight better than mine....

 

There's nothing special about a 350, I see them on craigslist all day long with tranny's for under 300, and if it's pontiac, it's worth less, if you can get me the casting number I'll tell you exactly what it is, including heads, est HP, and if it's worth the trouble, just for a reference, I payed 400 for a built olds 425 with 550 HP

 

If it's a 350 sbc you're wanting, just keep an eye out. You can find them for free sometimes now days. Especially if it needs a rebuild. Not exactly hard to find collectors items.... I love them though. That's whats going in my '54 as we speak. Good reliable motors. Not so HAMB friendly, but you have to take the bad with the good.... (Actually, I think if you could find the REAL story, lots of HAMBers probably have SBC's in their cars but just won't admit it!)

 

Thanks for all the input guys, I thought when he mentioned it that his price seemed too high..I always trust the advice given here so that's why I asked. I'm definately going to look elsewhere for a motor and tranny. Sounds like I need to venture to a Pick and Pull yard..

 

$150 with the trans if it needs rebuilt

 

make sure it's a 350. there's a guy on here who sold a 350 but it was really a 307 and he wouldn't make it right

 

I sold a complete carb to pan SBC for $350 to a hamber, including starter/alt and a nice edelbrock(rebuilt), no leaks, HEI, ran fine

that engine you're describing sounds like a core