Ford flathead v8 value

[Paranyos]

Guys, I am looking for opinions on a fair price for a flathead engine. A guy I know is selling a 47 ford flathead v8 block with flywheel, heads and starter. The engine looks good and is not seized up. What would be a fair price to pay? Thanks for your input! Paul

[JSeery]

Could be all over the place. Unless it has been pressure tested and proven good, it is not worth much. If it is sold with a guarantee to be a good block upon teardown and inspection, then it is worth a lot more. Too many engines have bad blocks to purchase one without a guarantee or cheap enough you can afford the loss.

[KiWinUS]

My standard on buying flathead engines is $200 if they look good & turn over $100 is max is siezed

[Paranyos]

No guarantee, just a nice fellow who says it is good.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by Paranyos

No guarantee, just a nice fellow who says it is good.

Problem is he has no way of knowing if it's good or not, even a running engine can (and often does) have a bad block. Flatheads tend to have cracks in the block and depending on where the cracks are and how bad they are the block may or may not be worth attempting to salvage. If you are determined to purchase it and take a gamble then go for it, just keep in mind the odds are not in your favor on an untested block. It is not uncommon to go through several engines to come up with usable parts. As already posted it is most likely worth in the $100 to $200 range. Some would not pay that, but then again some might be willing to pay more. Consider what you are willing to lose money wise if it turns out to be an unusable block and that is the price you should be willing to pay.

[uncle max]

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Over the years, I've paid between $200 and $400 for several "good" ones, only to find out they weren't so good... Then, as fate would have it, I pulled one out of a '50 Merc for $25. No cracks, standard bore and crank. Still going strong in the '37 today. Modified a bit.

[Charlie Stephens]

How far over has the block been bored? Is there anything more than the 5 items you mentioned?

Charlie Stephens

[GB SISSON]

My experience has been similar to Uncle Max. These days I want bare blocks or at least the heads off. Most guys are like me. We already have lots of internals and starters and heads etc. It's all about the condition of the block. Last month I looked at 5 blocks on CL for a grand. Heads were off. Stored 30 years. On quick inspection with wire brush and flashlight 3 had the cracks. I ended up walking. They are a really interesting bit of engineering and a good engine. I hope you end up with a solid one. But be careful.... They can change your life.

[JSeery]

Paranyos, if you do purchase the engine please provide us some feedback on how it turns out.

[Paranyos]

I have no idea about the history of what has been done to the engine. The only parts on it are the ones I listed. I just wanted the block for a replacement in case of a future catastrophe. I am not looking for a complete engine.

[Willit Stop]

Here's a thought: Offer the guy $200 with the understanding that you can take it to a machine shop and have it torn down and inspected.If it turns out to be good or at least rebuild-able , he can keep the $200. If not, he returns the money to you. Ask the shop for documentation. If you don't use it in the future,you can always sell it and recoup the $200.
If he is "nice", I'm sure he'll understand your situation.

[Brendan]

i payed 500 bucks for a good running 35 21 stud motor!

[marko39]

got a doodle bug years ago for 75.00 and a good 39 engine. i happened to have a nice 32 grille shell on it. wife bitched when i hauled it home! Mark

[Paranyos]

Thanks for the input! He is asking too much, I am going to pass.

[JSeery]

Just curious, what range is it priced at?

[Paranyos]

He is asking $500

[JSeery]

That would be a good price IF it was a known crack-free/usable block. It's the unknown that is the problem.

[Paranyos]

I agree. I would hate to spend 500 on a piece of scrap.

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by marko39

got a doodle bug years ago for 75.00 and a good 39 engine. i happened to have a nice 32 grille shell on it. wife bitched when i hauled it home! Mark

That's a great story. We can all relate. I have almost 50 years worth of stories like that, but when I would remind my wife (the ex one) on the figures they just went in one ear and out the other. "But what are you gonna do with this 'doodlebug' thing....? Once I bought 3 'Smith Motor Wheel' bicycle motors in parts for 15 bucks each. Sold them as found for 1200.00. Took the family to Disneyland and Grand Canyon. Month off of work. Next time I bought something it was the same old crap. I don't do this for the money, but sometimes we just hit it.

[Paranyos]

This motor would just be a spare, nothing exciting. I already bought the 37 pickup. Way cool, and my wife loves it!