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Old 10-27-2019, 02:43 PM   #1
Ol' Ron
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Default What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

Just got off the phone with a friend of mine. He has a collection of flathead parts and would like to get rid of some of it, Unfortunately the problem for most stuff, there is no market for it, like hundred sof valves lifters guides and etc. now if they were all into an engine, it would be different. At present he has most of the parts for a 30 over 8ba engine. Block, Reground crank, rods, pistons valves. etc. Now if this was running? what's it worth?
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Old 10-27-2019, 02:56 PM   #2
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

If it was a completely stock build - my guess is that he might be able to get $3K to $4K for it. It would cost that much to build it for sure (now days) - but you have to find the exactly right buyer.

I'd probably put a 3/4 cam in it, a set of Edelbrock heads and an Edelbrock slingshot - then I'd try to get $5 - 6K or so for it. And having it running - with video - is a good thing.

Just one man's opinion!
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Last edited by Bored&Stroked; 10-27-2019 at 03:41 PM.
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Old 10-27-2019, 03:02 PM   #3
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

Without proven components and a know reliable builder keeping records, it might be difficult to find a buyer. If it were me, I would much prefer the parts unassembled!
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Old 10-27-2019, 04:15 PM   #4
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

Agree with Jerry


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Old 10-27-2019, 04:26 PM   #5
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

Dennis Frings from here in Charlotte has had engines on the HAMB for a long time at fair money & no buyers yet. His engines are right.
Just don’t know why but rebuilt flatheads don’t seem to bring close to what it cost to build them.
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Old 10-27-2019, 04:27 PM   #6
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

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Dennis Frings from here in Charlotte has had engines on the HAMB for a long time at fair money & no buyers yet. His engines are right.
Just don’t know why but rebuilt flatheads don’t seem to bring close to what it cost to build them.
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Old 10-27-2019, 05:02 PM   #7
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

Where are these engines listed on the Hamb?
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Old 10-27-2019, 05:12 PM   #8
Jack E/NJ
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

>>>Now if this was running? what's it worth?>>>


I'd guess a dollar less than my running early 38 21-studder. Did I guess right? 8^) Jack ENJ
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Old 10-27-2019, 05:42 PM   #9
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

I think Flathead guys know to much . I mean how many times
do we see and here about crack blocks in rebuilt motors
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Old 10-27-2019, 06:01 PM   #10
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

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Originally Posted by lotsagas4u View Post
Where are these engines listed on the Hamb?
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...heads.1154253/
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Old 10-28-2019, 05:28 AM   #11
MN Stumpjumper
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...thead.1015289/ I have this one for sale. Not one inquiry.
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Old 10-28-2019, 06:34 AM   #12
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

Just don’t know why but rebuilt flatheads don’t seem to bring close to what it cost to build them


BECAUSE A jASPER sbc goes for 1500. and thats what rodders like.
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Old 10-28-2019, 06:55 AM   #13
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

I just finished what would be considered a "high performance" build, so take that into consideration when you read the price. It took me five blocks to find one to build.

Labor (machine shop, balancing and builder) came in at over $6K. Now I believe I've had one of the best flathead guys build this engine, so you may be able to find one cheaper, but I wanted the best since I hope to only do it once.

I've been collecting parts for this build along the way and I got some really good deals, but if you had to pay retail, it would have added another 3,500-$4,000K to the price. So, I'd assume that puts the price at around $10K. Funny, my friend's father bought a Motor City Flathead from Kirby in the 90's. It was $10K from him at that time.

Additional parts were Merc crank, NOS 8BA rods, Weber flywheel, Centerforce PP, Cyclone head, Potvin cam, Ross pistons w/ metric rings, Slingshot manifold, Petronix ignition.
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Old 10-28-2019, 07:02 AM   #14
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

Quote:
Originally Posted by KiWinUS View Post
Dennis Frings from here in Charlotte has had engines on the HAMB for a long time at fair money & no buyers yet. His engines are right.
Just don’t know why but rebuilt flatheads don’t seem to bring close to what it cost to build them.
I believe without knowing the person who built them and without documentation of mag & pressure testing, you are still buying an unknown.

If I had $100 for every "rebuilt" flathead I've looked at on some dude's garage floor, I'd be a wealthy man.

Plus, you have two options if you live out of state: Trust the person and pay another $500 to have it shipped or take a few days off and drive there. Either option is additional time & money.
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Old 10-28-2019, 07:16 AM   #15
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

In addition to what Tim posted, it is not going to be built to your specifications/likes unless you are involved from the get-go. Just the way it is.
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Old 10-28-2019, 07:33 AM   #16
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

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Originally Posted by JSeery View Post
In addition to what Tim posted, it is not going to be built to your specifications/likes unless you are involved from the get-go. Just the way it is.
Great point.
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Old 10-28-2019, 08:47 AM   #17
Ol' Ron
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

I don't think you understand the question. How much does it coust to rebuild the engine. Take it to a machineshop and have it rebuilt "STOCK"
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Old 10-28-2019, 09:11 AM   #18
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

I'm not as involved with the Flathead scene, but am heavily into the small block Fords and other OHV engines. My experience is that once an engine is assembled, nobody wants to buy it. A private seller is lucky to get half of what he has in it. Engines are far more valuable as parts. Nobody wants to buy a 'pig in a poke'... as there have been far too many 'Krylon' rebuilds and tons of crap work out there. When buying from a private seller, there is no recourse if you are stuck with a turd.

People also want to have a HAND in their own engines. They want to at least have the idea that they at least helped choose the parts, etc. They enjoy the creative process.
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Old 10-28-2019, 09:55 AM   #19
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ol' Ron View Post
I don't think you understand the question. How much does it coust to rebuild the engine. Take it to a machineshop and have it rebuilt "STOCK"
I don't think stock is far off from the $3,000-$4,000 someone mentioned.

If your buddy has an already disassembled block, that may get it to be on the lower end of the $3,000-$4,000 range. I had 15 hours getting the studs out of my 99A block.

That is assuming lower quality pistons are used and everything else can be reused or reconditioned.

Machine work alone just to clean, test, and bore the block is going to be around $700-$900 depending where he's located.

Last edited by Tim Ayers; 10-28-2019 at 10:03 AM.
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Old 10-28-2019, 09:55 AM   #20
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Default Re: What is the price of a rebuilt flathead??

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I don't think you understand the question. How much does it coust to rebuild the engine. Take it to a machineshop and have it rebuilt "STOCK"
Boy Ron, I believe that is going to be all over the place. There is a lot of difference from one shop to another and think it is going to depend on what needs to be done. I'm not even sure one persons definition of stock is the same as another's. You posted the crank is turned, that would at least need to be checked. Are the bearing there and the correct size, etc. You are a builder, you know the ropes as well as anyone does!
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