WIW - 71 383 Engine

[RallyeMike]

All right. I've never done a WIW questions, so here goes:

383 original cast crank 2bbl, std bore, 70k miles from a Satellite Sebring. New: Magnum purple shaft cam and lifters, HV oil pump, timing chain, fuel pump and rod, water pump, regasketed, cleaned up and painted factory blue looking very stock. Stock 383 4bbl intake added. Complete from intake to pan. No accessories or exhaust manifolds included. I have $400 into it not counting labor or the cost of the core engine. It's been fired up and the cam broke in on an engine stand. It's still on the stand so it can be fired for a buyer.

I've been slowly clearing out stuff I'm never going to use. This would be a nice engine for a cruiser.  What's it worth to a buyer?

[bull]

IMO

Quick sale: $2,000
Top end: $4,000
Average range: $2,750 - $3,250


Unfortunately the 383s aren't worth as much as the 440s unless you find the right buyer. Were it a '67 casting I would probably be the right buyer.

It's not going to be worth as much as a complete rebuild so you'll probably have to match the price of a cheap, shadetree "freshen-up" which is probably about $1,500 - $2,000 in parts plus a little more for labor. High-end rebuilds would be in the $5,000 - $8,000 range. I can get my 383 rebuilt down here in Portland for $2,800 (parts and labor with warranty) by a very reputible shop so someone in my shoes probably wouldn't pay more than about $1,800 for your 383. I'd put it up for between $3,000 and $3,500 obo and see what happens.