Ford flathead v8 value
- Thread starter Paranyos
- Start date
JSeery
Member Emeritus
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.
JSeery
Member Emeritus
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
Well-known member
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
Well-known member
How far over has the block been bored? Is there anything more than the 5 items you mentioned?
Charlie Stephens
Charlie Stephens
GB SISSON
Well-known member
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. 
Willit Stop
Well-known member
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.
If he is "nice", I'm sure he'll understand your situation.
GB SISSON
Well-known member
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.