What would a VIN 9 engine be worth?

[Blew86442]

I bought my 86 442 with a sbc installed, but I also got the original VIN 9 engine with it too. I don't for see ever putting the 307 back in, eventually it will be upgraded to an OLDS 455. :lol: But for the time being the sbc is extremely strong with about 1000 miles on it.

The VIN 9 I have has about 95K on it, externally it looks good, internally I cannot give an honest answer, but you can tell the car has been taken care of.

Any ideas?

 

[L92 OLDS]

Unless you have it in a vehicle so someone could hear it run and drive it, most people (myself included) would treat it as a core. It's probably worth more in parts than as a whole (Carb, intake, pulleys, etc.) If you found the right buyer, maybe $300. I've had opportunities to buy them at $200 and have passed.

 

[Blew86442]

Thanks.....that's about what I figured. I think I'll throw it in the for sale section, Im sure someone can use it. Like I said, it's just collecting dust for me.

 

[442_olds]

Is the 307 the original engine for the car? If it is, you might want to consider at least keeping it. Considering how few of these were built in the first place, finding an original 442 with the original engine (even if it is not in the car) is getting harder every day. IMHO, if you keep the engine, the car will be worth more if you ever decide to sell it. I've seen too many of these getting scrapped, cut up, etc...I just hate to see them destroyed. Been working on an 87 for two years now...glad I was able to save it from that kind of fate. Don't mean to get on a rant..just my 2 cents.

 

[dogsht]

Yea I would keep it under the bench until you sell the car. The little bit of money you get for it won't matter much. But years down the road if you lost a top price buyer because of it you will be kicking yourself. Back in 1970 and for a long time after nobody thought anything of a Cutlass a "special" HO 350 that did not make a ton more power than the regular 350 especially with the top dog 455 being offered in the Cutlass. But low and behold today they are seen differently by the collectors & restorers.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Vern, are talking about the W-31? Of course that engine was underated by about 40 hp. Unfortunately the 170 hp is all too real. I just don't if there will ever be much value in these cars, especially the later swirl port ones. I almost bought a nice 87 for $5000. I think spending $10,000 on a nice late 70's Olds 403 powered Trans Am will be a better investment. Plus my wife likes the Trans Am a lot more body wise :wink:.

 

[442_olds]

Back in 1970 and for a long time after nobody thought anything of a Cutlass a "special" HO 350 that did not make a ton more power than the regular 350 especially with the top dog 455 being offered in the Cutlass. But low and behold today they are seen differently by the collectors & restorers.

I agree...I can remember when there was a Rallye 350 in this area...with all the big blocks around, we just looked at it as just another 350 with an appearance package. Years later, saw it in the junkyard 😢 Now what would it be worth?

 

[mheath717]

Vern, are talking about the W-31? Of course that engine was underated by about 40 hp. Unfortunately the 170 hp is all too real. I just don't if there will ever be much value in these cars, especially the later swirl port ones. I almost bought a nice 87 for $5000. I think spending $10,000 on a nice late 70's Olds 403 powered Trans Am will be a better investment. Plus my wife likes the Trans Am a lot more body wise :wink:.

I think there will be some value for these cars... Just give it more time. They are the last of their kind. RWD V8 Oldsmobiles. Are people going to be restoring '97 monte carlos 20 years from now? Or maybe an Olds Alero? I don't think so.