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69 chevelle "396" worth $1000

4K views 17 replies 12 participants last post by  Redrum 
#1 ·
A guy locally here has a 396 out of a 69 chevelle for sale. He is asking 1000 dollars for it. All the ad says is that it was running when he took it out of the car? What is the going price for these motors?
 
#6 ·
I think you can still beat that price all to heck if you shop around.

I sold a good 402 core complete except for carburetor for $100.00
I also paid $500.00 for my 454 that had just been rebuilt (by someone that didn't know what they were doing) :(
Then I sold the new intake manifold and flywheel off of it.

Remember, when someone is selling something, only believe about one fourth of what they say.
 
#7 ·
Dean said:
Remember, when someone is selling something, only believe about one fourth of what they say.
Pretty suprised to hear you say that Dean. I give people the benefit of the doubt. I usally hear them out and make up my own mind, but don't mistake my kindness for weakness..........
 
#8 ·
Don't know the hp or anything of that nature. Have not called him yet for more details. Motor is in Florida. It is a complete motor to my knowledge.
 
#10 ·
I have never bought a engine before and esp. a big block. I have always been a small block man. I need to learn alot stuff on them before I buy something.
 
#11 ·
We did a bit of shopping around trying to find a 396 for my wife's 70. She wanted to stick with the original (396/402) instead of moving to a 454. We actually could have found several 454s, but finding a decent 396 was not easy.

Of the ones that we found from other TC members or people that answered an ad placed here, most were in the $1000-$1500 range for intake-to-pan complete. Some needed rebuilds in that range.

We ended up paying $1200 for one from a TC member. Plus shipping. Plus extra for the carb and starter. And I feel it was a fair deal.

While shopping -- a couple people here said the same kinds of things: you should be able to get it for less than $1000 -- that's high. But, when it came down to it, that simply didn't appear to be the case for a 396/402... Maybe a 454.

So, if you really want a 396, that price does not seem unreasonable if the motor is decent. If you aren't locked into a 396, then you might actually find a better deal on a 454 -- depending on your area and such.

Just my 2c...

- John...
 
#12 ·
YenkoChevelle69 said:
L-78 or not.... I think that is really high unless it's a decently fresh rebuild. You can get a 454 for that price man. I picked my 454 up for 400 bucks
VERY true unless your looking for an orignal engine. 454's are almost as easy to find as 350's, not quite but almost
 
#13 ·
I answered your question in PERF. I had a hard time getting $1500 for the rebuilt 396 that came in OLD Red. Should've kept the mill as a spare. If the engine is in good condition, $1000 is more than fair, its a value. ASSUMING it runs and has decent internals.
 
#14 ·
jgoggan said:
We did a bit of shopping around trying to find a 396 for my wife's 70. She wanted to stick with the original (396/402) instead of moving to a 454. We actually could have found several 454s, but finding a decent 396 was not easy.

Of the ones that we found from other TC members or people that answered an ad placed here, most were in the $1000-$1500 range for intake-to-pan complete. Some needed rebuilds in that range.

We ended up paying $1200 for one from a TC member. Plus shipping. Plus extra for the carb and starter. And I feel it was a fair deal.

While shopping -- a couple people here said the same kinds of things: you should be able to get it for less than $1000 -- that's high. But, when it came down to it, that simply didn't appear to be the case for a 396/402... Maybe a 454.

So, if you really want a 396, that price does not seem unreasonable if the motor is decent. If you aren't locked into a 396, then you might actually find a better deal on a 454 -- depending on your area and such.

Just my 2c...

- John...
If the motor is decent, and complete, that doesn't sound too bad...

Honestly, the ONLY reason a 396 should sell for more than a 454 (assuming the same condition, etc), would be because of the date/casting numbers...

I can't get over how many people want $$$ for a "Chevelle" engine, when its the same as an Impala engine, or truck... The 454 is not only bigger and stronger, but benefits from further engineering developement. Therefore the 454 should be a more desirable engine...

But some people will pay more, just because it is a "Chevelle" engine, and therefore some people will charge more...

Unless YOU just have to have that "correct" engine for your car...

The 454 is pretty much visually identical to the 396 (except casting numbers), so unless you waited to find correct "1970" casting numbers and dates, you were (IMO) foolish to pay more time and money looking for the 396...
 
#15 ·
1966_L78 said:
The 454 is not only bigger and stronger, but benefits from further engineering developement. Therefore the 454 should be a more desirable engine...
With all things being equal and your above statement being true, than what about a new 502, surely that would benefit from newer advanced technology.

We can rebuild him,better,stronger, faster , than before , Oh wait that was from the 6 million dollar man....... :D
 
#16 ·
I posted a 69 JA code 396 short block on the classified, I figured I'd try to trade it for a 454 short block because I was more interested in the cubic inches, and I'm not restoring a chevelle, only a few people responded,figured I might as well keep it as a spare, because it's still a big block, Jim
 
#18 ·
Heck, I gave the "396" in my Chevelle away free for the hauling.... It had a cylinder that probably needed a sleeve as it had swallowed a valve but was fine other than that.......
 
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