383 short block ?

[pb24]

I have the opportunity to buy a 383 short block, On the drivers side of the block are the numbers  1 29 70 and 2468430 10 and next to the distributor are C 383 5 25 and hp. I don't know the history of the motor. Is it worth $200.00 dollars.

[Chryco Psycho]

depends how complete it is & the condition of it , but generally yes it is worth $200

[bull]

It is unless the block is cracked or it's spun a main bearing. I just bought a bare '69 383 block with main caps for $75 if that gives you any basis for comparison.

[pb24]

I was told it came out of a running car. Thats the chance you take when you buy somthing used.

[bull]

I was told it came out of a running car. Thats the chance you take when you buy somthing used.

Yea, it's a gamble no matter what. My theory is to try spending as little as possible on these kind of parts so if/when one of them does turn out to be bad I'm out less money than I would be otherwise.

[dave571]

Alot of any value based question, depends on conditions in your area.

I see guys online say they can get stuff for really cheap.  Others seem to pay way too much for stuff.

200 bucks seems pretty fair, but it's always taking a chance.

I got a 67 383 from a  running car I had worked on.  We changed it because the guy wanted to go to a 340.

In any case the 383 had no issues, other than it was tired.   No knocks or great fluid consumpsion or smoking. 
Because it was a good runner with no issues, I sold it to another guy who really wanted a 383 for his Road Runner.  He took it in to the machine shop, and it turned out it was cracked really bad in the valley.  Buldged out.  Somehow it still held water, but I don't know how.

 

[pb24]

I don't find them for sale very often in my area ( So Cal ) But i don't want to spend alot of money for something thats going to sit on my garage floor for awhile. I have a numbers matching 383 in the car car now but Ive always wanted to build a hi performance motor.

I figured it would be better to leave my original motor stock and take my time and build this motor.

[70daytonaclone]

go for it, that sounds like a fair price!!!!!!