Fair price for 440 block, etc

[whitehatspecial]

in todays market, what would be a fair price for a '68 standard bore block, crank, rods, and cast iron heads? Also a 727 trans for a 440, that may need a rebuild.

Thank you.

[Kern Dog]

Standard bore is the key to high value. As time goes on, fewer will remain.
Value will vary  since it is directly related to what your intentions are. Aluminum heads are popular due to their price and ability to make crazy power compared to stock iron heads. On a rebuild, the block, crank and rods may be the only stuff you'd use.
I paid $250 for a .030 440 short block this Summer.
Your 440 should be worth more than that since it is standard bore BUT that really only matters if the bores look clean. IF they need to be machined to .030 to clean up, the "standard bore" isn't really a selling point.

[RallyeMike]

.... if everything is useable. More $ potentially if it is an HP block or has a certain casting date to those that care.

[John_Kunkel]

Ultrasound test results can make a block more/less valuable.

[whitehatspecial]

Thank you

[6pkrtse]

I have never been a numbers guy. So year of block does not ever matter to me. I consider it almost scrap until I mag it and sonic check it. Most around here go from $300-$1200 depending on year.

[Kern Dog]

$1200 for an engine block
Uhh....
I can see paying a premium for an UNstamped warranty block with a date code that works for your car but that tempts fraud. 
Otherwise, that price sounds like you're getting into HEMI territory.

[whitehatspecial]

So here's an update. I finally had a chance to see the block. It is a '68 HP block which is bored .030. The bores are clean, no ridges. The block overall is in good shape, no rust, and some of the turquoise paint on it. The guy is a big Mopar guy and has been for some time. Has a lot of other parts I may need. He wants 1400. for the block, crank, LY rods, timing cover, balancer, flex plate, and engine mount brackets. This seems to be full retail to me. I really don't want the LY rods anyway and can source the rest of the stuff I'll need.

[John Milner]

An HP block is nice but a later model 440 block will do the same thing an HP will.  Unless you are just looking for the date code and HP stamp, I would be tempted to find a non HP or later model block for a couple hundred bucks and save a lot of money in the process. You could buy a later model block on the cheap and have plenty of funds to buy parts to rebuild your engine vs buying the $1,400 HP block.  I have bought 3 440's in the past 5 years.  I've never given over $300 for a complete late model cast crank engine. Good deals are out there.         

[Kern Dog]

$1400....I'd tell the guy to piss off. A .030 over short block That is $300 tops!

[heyoldguy]

Ultrasound test results can make a block more/less valuable.

There ya go. I've got a row of eight 440 standard to .030 blocks that I wouldn't use for anything other than stock rebuilds.