Hey all!

After searching and searching, I have found someone selling a complete used 427 engine. The seller says it is out of a 1969 passenger car, and it has everything, water pump, pulleys, starter, carb, exhaust manifolds, etc... The seller has also offered to get it running on the stand so I can listen to it. My plan is to tear it apart and give it a fresh rebuild, port and polish the heads and maybe put in a little better than stock cam, and replace anything necessary.

I am wondering what this engine is worth as the seller has thrown out a price that I think is insanely low. A 427 long block kit, which doesn't include any of the above mentioned parts, from PAW runs close to $4200, and this guy is asking a little under $2000. Does it really matter if it runs or not considering I am going to be tearing it apart to rebuild it anyway?

Any ideas, or insight into what it would be worth would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! :beers:

$2000 is a lot of money for an engine that need to be rebuilt. I know it's a "427" but a rebuild able 454 could be found for a lot less then 2k. Add the cost of pistons,Exhaust manifolds will be replaced by headers, Need new water pump, carb, intake etc. machine work ect. Buy a rebuilable 454 with accessories out of a pickup truck and put in a 396 crank and proper pistons and "presto chango", you have a 427. or build as is for a 454 Seems to me your paying 2k for a block, rods, crank and heads that need rebuilding. Anyway just my opinion. good luck.

looked in the local craigslist found lots of deals
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heres a 454 4 bolt main short block in stockton for $450

78 Chevy 4 bolt main 454 std - $450

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Reply to: sale-987192782@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2009-01-10, 1:34AM PST



Im selling a 1975 chevy sort block 4 bolt main std.bore you get block ,rods ,crack ,cam ,@ used pistons for $450.00 frim if need it call 209-808-4849 or 209-466-4375 ask for Mike

http://stockton.craigslist.org/pts/987192782.html
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here is one with all brackets


http://images.craigslist.org/3ka3p73o11f01g91488cr011b300d04d91398.jpg
big block chevy - $500 (lodi)

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Reply to: sale-971722556@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-12-27, 8:57PM PST



big block 454,motor has good compression and leakdown.Motor dose not smoke and makes good oil presure.Moving need to sell!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://stockton.craigslist.org/pts/971722556.html



lots of 454's here in the stockton area http://stockton.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=454

Looks like you are willing to pay $1500 just for the opportunity to say it is a 427. As you are trying to reproduce something that probably did not exist why worry about it as you can make the motor resemble anything you want.

One advantage the 427 has over the 454 is how much easier walking will be....your billfold will be lighter. The $1500 could be put to better use .

Michou...Like you said, searched a long time for a real 427. I did the same thing. I looked for a while, found one that a member here had for 2400 bucks. It needed a complete rebuild. All I used were the block, crank, heads, timing cover. I put a ton of money in it. But, it's a 427. I also have a 427 made from a 454 block in my 55 Gasser. There is something special about having the "427" emblems on the fenders. If you want the 427, get it.

Michou...Like you said, searched a long time for a real 427. I did the same thing. I looked for a while, found one that a member here had for 2400 bucks. It needed a complete rebuild. All I used were the block, crank, heads, timing cover. I put a ton of money in it. But, it's a 427. I also have a 427 made from a 454 block in my 55 Gasser. There is something special about having the "427" emblems on the fenders. If you want the 427, get it.

Amen...brother! :)

Making a 427 from 454 block and 396 or 427 crank plus L2268 slugs is a lot cheaper than buying a period-correct one.....unless of course this is for a COPO or a race car with several records from the era where the engine is EXPECTED to have been blown

not worth it at all to put a period engine into a plain-Jane Chevelle your Aunt Gertie had that you are cloning into a new-build SS

Am curious, what casting number engine block are you considering? What heads?
Is it "correct" for the build-date of your car? "Correct" is one thing but it is only CORRECT for the car it ORIGINALLY CAME IN unless you are going to re-stamp, whole new can of worms.

My Vette is a 427 390 car by the tank sticker. But the block had been replaced in late 73 by the casting date, #289 4-bolt. What this means to me is that I got the Vette at a good price. I can occasionally abuse the engine without fear that my 'correct' block will grenade.

Get a 454 block, install 427 guts....or a 454 block and make it a 489/496, a wicked engine, drive and enjoy the car. You can do all this with the money you save by NOT buying the 427
Put a 427 sticker on the air cleaner!

Hey all,

Thanks for the response, it's greatly appreciated. However, it is with all due respect when I say that I asked for ideas and insight into what it would be worth financially. I did not ask if it was a good idea to get a 427, or if the 454 into a 427 parts swap is a better financial choice.

I have to say that I feel a bit ticked at trying to be talked out of something I feel very strongly about, regardless of whether I am going to put a 427 into a Toyota Prius, my plain jane 67 Chevelle, or a numbers matching 69 SS 427 Impala. All that stuff doesn't matter to me with this car. What matters to me is that I make the Chevelle I have waited so long to own my very own. I want it to have exactly what I want it to have, regardless of its VIN number, build sheet or any of that. Yeah, those engines cost more, I get that, that's why I have been saving my money to get one.

The point is that I want a 427 in my cloned Chevelle, that's pretty much it. Who cares what casting number is on the block, it's a cloned car already, that's the beauty. If the engine gets a little romped on and needs some love, I'll pull it apart and rebuild it again. I think too many people are hung up on cars being "correct" or numbers matching to really enjoy what the car is about. True, muscle cars are meant to be worshiped, adored, and respected, but they are also meant to be driven and pushed. They practically beg to be lit up. For over 25 years I have thought the 67 SS Chevelle should've come with a 427. Since very few, if any, were ever made to begin with, I'm gonna make my own and drive the snot out of it with a huge smile on my face as I do.

Cheers! :beers:

I wouldn't say it's insanely low, I don't think you would be paying too much. I parted out a '69 big car 427 for roughly $3k, so the guys is probably leaving some money in it.

Don't take it personally, but you are still only paying for casting numbers that mean nothing to your car. In '69 the 427's went to the 512 block roughly halfway through the model year, and that was the identical block that was used next year for the 454. But it's obviously your choice and your money.

Good luck,
Steve

Hey all,

Thanks for the response, it's greatly appreciated. However, it is with all due respect when I say that I asked for ideas and insight into what it would be worth financially. I did not ask if it was a good idea to get a 427, or if the 454 into a 427 parts swap is a better financial choice.

I have to say that I feel a bit ticked at trying to be talked out of something I feel very strongly about, regardless of whether I am going to put a 427 into a Toyota Prius, my plain jane 67 Chevelle, or a numbers matching 69 SS 427 Impala. All that stuff doesn't matter to me with this car. What matters to me is that I make the Chevelle I have waited so long to own my very own. I want it to have exactly what I want it to have, regardless of its VIN number, build sheet or any of that. Yeah, those engines cost more, I get that, that's why I have been saving my money to get one.

The point is that I want a 427 in my cloned Chevelle, that's pretty much it. Who cares what casting number is on the block, it's a cloned car already, that's the beauty. If the engine gets a little romped on and needs some love, I'll pull it apart and rebuild it again. I think too many people are hung up on cars being "correct" or numbers matching to really enjoy what the car is about. True, muscle cars are meant to be worshiped, adored, and respected, but they are also meant to be driven and pushed. They practically beg to be lit up. For over 25 years I have thought the 67 SS Chevelle should've come with a 427. Since very few, if any, were ever made to begin with, I'm gonna make my own and drive the snot out of it with a huge smile on my face as I do.

Cheers! :beers:


I felt the same way when I bought my 427. I could have saved $2500 by using a 454 block and different heads but that is not what I wanted to do. I wanted a 4 bolt 427 block and matching heads so that's what I bought. As far as the engine you found, around $2000 is about right for a good rebuildable 2 bolt main 427 with oval port heads. For a 4 bolt square port head setup add about $1500.
Built it the way you want it and don't let these comments bother you. It's your car.
James

I had a guy practively try to give a Original Boat anchor smog heads,2 bolt,8 to 1 pistons,cast crank 72 454 Complete unrestored motor for $800.00 bucks.Pan to carb never apart.I wouldn't buy it and he even offered to deliver it.Something about the 67 68 69 427/396 stuff,Thats the ones I like all day long! Buy that 69 427,just do it and you'll be glad you did! Good luck,have fun

Michou: I ran into a guy by accident that has what he says is a 1968 427 cu in engine installed in a 1980 one ton chevy pickup truck. I looked at it actually twice and all I can say for sure is it is a chevy big block engine. I intended to get numbers of the block pad but never got that far. Anyway on both occasions the vehicle owner swore it was a 1968 427 cu in out of a chevy station wagon I believe ( which would be the 2 bolt main version) I would think the engine would need a rebuild which anyone using it in a muscle car would do anyway. To finally get to the point of my post the vehicle seller wanted $1,000.00 for the complete truck with engine and drive train included. The truck was actually not too bad of shape for a 1980. I saw where your location is Oakland and I assume that is Oakland California. This deal which I would assume the guy still has is located in Western Pennsylvania.

Buy it and build it and have fun.:thumbsup:

I'm not a matching numbers guy.....nice if you have one but impossible to make correct something that isn't
If you can get the 427 engine for under $2000 then great.
I do not think it will raise the value of your car by much more than what you pay for the engine. What will raise the value will be the quality of the work and parts put into the project. In the scope of things, engines are CHEAP compared to body work and paint and all the trim.

Take a good look at engine and check block and head numbers. You might get lucky and find something worth more than it appears.

About 20 years ago I paid a sum of $300 for a "Corvette 427" engine from a friend's brother for my 69 Camaro. When rebuilding it I noted it was a 4 bolt block. Still have it and runs fine - only discovered last month that it is a 512 block with 840 heads.

My opinion - if you want a 427 build one. Only thing I would consider with my money would be using new aluminum heads with orange paint - they just work better than 40 year old stuff.

Good luck,

Thats a more than fair price for the motor if heads, intake, carb, brackets etc. are all 69 and dated to block. Block alone is worth $1000-1500, have seen P/S brackets sell for $250 same for Alt brackets, P/S pump is $100 I could go on and on. The motor is worth $2500+ to the right person even if its out of a station wagon.

Hey all,

Thanks for the response, it's greatly appreciated. However, it is with all due respect when I say that I asked for ideas and insight into what it would be worth financially. I did not ask if it was a good idea to get a 427, or if the 454 into a 427 parts swap is a better financial choice.

I have to say that I feel a bit ticked at trying to be talked out of something I feel very strongly about, regardless of whether I am going to put a 427 into a Toyota Prius, my plain jane 67 Chevelle, or a numbers matching 69 SS 427 Impala. All that stuff doesn't matter to me with this car. What matters to me is that I make the Chevelle I have waited so long to own my very own. I want it to have exactly what I want it to have, regardless of its VIN number, build sheet or any of that. Yeah, those engines cost more, I get that, that's why I have been saving my money to get one.

The point is that I want a 427 in my cloned Chevelle, that's pretty much it. Who cares what casting number is on the block, it's a cloned car already, that's the beauty. If the engine gets a little romped on and needs some love, I'll pull it apart and rebuild it again. I think too many people are hung up on cars being "correct" or numbers matching to really enjoy what the car is about. True, muscle cars are meant to be worshiped, adored, and respected, but they are also meant to be driven and pushed. They practically beg to be lit up. For over 25 years I have thought the 67 SS Chevelle should've come with a 427. Since very few, if any, were ever made to begin with, I'm gonna make my own and drive the snot out of it with a huge smile on my face as I do.

Cheers! :beers:

That sums it up pretty well. I am with you Bro! I too am a mucle car fan and enjoy driving them much more than looking at them. It's OK to be a purist but it is equally OK to make the car what you want. I agree with an earlier reply, it is OK to get what you want. Life is too short to settle for anything less.

Life is too short to settle for anything less.
Well said :yes:, that's what I was thinking as well. :) My opinion, if you want it, buy it. :thumbsup:

Now that's what I'm talking about! Thanks to all the 427 fans, and other drivers out there who chipped in their .02, it's very much appreciated. I was starting to think all you guys were on vacation.. hahahaha