I am having a 505 built for my 69 Fury III to replace the present 440 {Not Original! At birth she was a 383!} The present 440 engine is stock with iron heads and intake and I assume it is a stock cam as it has good vacuum and runs nicely. Should I do a video of it running before it is pulled? Or compression test on video? Just wondering what the market is. Don't want to make a killing at all ,just a fair price. I also have the crank and rods of another 440 [core for my build] that is in good shape as well as the stock heads plus intake etc..
Number one, I'm a cheap ***. With that out of the way, I haven't paid more than $500 for a running 440, I still have the '77 out of a Formal,sitting in the Polara. Put a .484 cam in it, Edelbrock Performer and 750 carb, and some tti headers. The thing runs great, sounds good and only leaks oil because I haven't fixed the valve cover gaskets. I picked up an allegedly running when pulled 440 (RV) for $400 a couple years ago. I got one a long time back for $500, but they didn't break it in correctly, and it blew up after a few years.
They are out there cheap, if you're johhny on the spot with the money.
But they are asking stupid prices for any 440 these days. $1250 for a completely torn apart engine. That was stock, bone stock. And out of an RV with 8.2:1 compression! Core engines are getting more than twice what I've paid for runners. I have enough blocks to build whatever I want, so buying isn't an issue, but I still look, cause who doesn't love a good deal. But I can't believe what they are trying to get.
Number two, what do you NEED to get for it? Do you need to retire? Want to help out a friend? Owe the mob some quick cash before you go swimming with the fishes? Somewhere between Dreamland prices that sellers are asking, and my offer of nothing, okay, $500, you should find your price.
I sold my 360 (I know, not the same engine) to a member on FABO, and I had a hard time asking for $350, even with it being the most badass 360 I had ever had. But he was happy, and still is, and that makes me happy. I get to see the van it's in cruising around, and even ride in it. Win win!