What would you pay for a '71 Buick 455?

[RegalBegal]

I think y'all are dreaming if you think you can get that engine for $300 ...

I'll tell you, I got my regal, the 455 and TH400 for exactly $0. Just had to pick it up. I've had many, many free cars over the years. It's a matter of feeling the other person out and saying the right thing. As far as I'm concerned, a demo car engine is a core nothing else. It might run great or blow up in 100 miles. Besides, Buick 455's are not rare. Hell, I just picked up a 1998 Lincoln Continental for my wife....free. It needed a wheel hub and an O2 sensor. Car looks and runs great.

Many people just want these things out of their yard. Others think that rusting pile of sh*t is a gold mine. Just be smart, feel them out and don't be afraid to walk away.

 

[Qdub24]

That car looks solid to me too. I know a lot of people that would love to have it, myself included. I'm biased to Buick 455s too cause I've already had two. The pre-'72 motors are the ones to have. My dad always told me that you have to pay to play. Big blocks aren't cheap to build anyway, even the Chevy ones. I think $500 is a fair offer for just the engine & trans though.

 

[online170]

Ive bought and sold a bunch of 455's. A few factors that can help determine the price; Ive bought them as low as $200, and as much as $800.

#1 where are you located?
#2 What condition is it in? (can it be heard running? can you drive it?)
#3 Performance goodies.
#4 Stock options (Stg1? heads? Nodular Crank?, 430 or 455?)

#1 Im in Ontario, and they are next to impossible to find up here. Basically I know all the poeple that would have one by first name, and they probably know me... This drives the value up. Virtually anywhere in the states they are very plentiful.

#2 Is it running? (No? then its a core period). Can you drive it? (No? maybe one step higher than a core, because you cant tell much without driving it. Although a compression test would tell you alot).

#3 Performance goodies? Does it have an early style B4b? Roller rockers? Aluminum heads? Ported heads? Documented machine work by a reputable shop with receipts? Any Stg2 goodies? KenneBell paraphonealia? Etc.... Any of these items would add to the value.

#4 Anything with 1975and 1976 heads you basically consider the heads junk, they were open chamber design. Dont get caught up in the SF block, and early blocks=higher compression = more value crap. All the blocks were good, the later ones slightly better cast. Pistons can be replaced, just make sure you get a good set of heads. Stg1 heads add to the value, 69 430 add to value as well.



Ive purchased a fully rebuilt 455 with receipts for $200 because it came in a guy's olds and he didnt want a buick engine. However it was stored for 3+ years, and the cylinder walls were rusted, requiring a full refresh.

Bought a 430 for $350 after hearing it run and doing a compression test on it. Planned to refresh it anyway.

Bought a 455+0.030 with receipts and documentation, with KB stuff on it, and roller rockers. But block was cracked.

Bought another 455 to replace the cracked block for $400. Crank was junk, piston cracked, and cam and lifters rusted. Got $200 back, and kept the heads and block.


If youre planning on dong up a good engine, buy a core thats been mag testted for $200 and build it. Otherwise buy an engine that you can drive, and just drive it.

 

[dogsht]

Great informative post 170! fwiw http://www.gesslerheadporting.com/

 

[online170]

#2 Is it running? (No? then its a core period).

Maybe im a bit harsh here.... Things that might disqualify it being a core is a compression test. However if the engine hasnt been running for a while, and the owner cant tell you that he has fogged the engine every couple months, turned it over every few weeks, and backed off the rockers, the cylinders have some rust in it. If this is the case, it will fail the compression test anyway.

The only other case is a fully rebuilt engine that is apart that you can inspect fully without a doubt, and measure whatever you like.

 

[maliburacinfreak]

i have a running buick 455 with TH400 out of a 71 wagon. paid $200 for both from my derby buddy. one of his buddies has a 72 455/TH400 on cl right now for $250 with 76k miles.

http://evansville.craigslist.org/pts/2814337600.html

 

[G-Body_Vet]

These guys are playing games and holding out for a fool to come along. The ad is 3 months old and they won't counter-offer or post a price....therefore they can sit on the damn thing and keep it! I'll spend my money elsewhere.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

i have a running buick 455 with TH400 out of a 71 wagon. paid $200 for both from my derby buddy. one of his buddies has a 72 455/TH400 on cl right now for $250 with 76k miles.

http://evansville.craigslist.org/pts/2814337600.html

Too bad that's waaaay south of me or I'd be interested in it.

 

[Bar50]

😀 Holy crap, this all started with my first car, a '70 Buick GS 350...I found an Electra 225 for the 455 and now all these years later...


The last three big bomber cars I bought were a '76 deuce & quarter with 76,000 mile 455/400TH driver from a tow in yard that knows I buy big Buicks $600 no title, $700 with title (they file the lean). $400 for a matching '76 Delta 98 with an Olds 455/400TH. Lastly $300 for a non-runner Olds '72 88 with a C casting headed Olds 455.

I used to be able to buy big cars all day long for $300, cash for clunkers, and around here...enduro racing or bomber racing has soaked up a quite a few. The flip side is scrap car bodies run over $200 a ton, you can re-coup half the money in scrap and the dirt track enduro/bomber class guys will buy the bodies for about scrap price.

There are several smaller salvage yards around, they will work with me, well, they know I am good for the big block stuff and don't care about the bodies, we sort of have a gentleman's agreement, I will not step on their toes at auctions they will not step on mine. They know I'll sell or trade them the rest of the car after I pull the heart (motor, trans, driveshaft, cooling system). Plus, they know I am not in business, its a hobby, so its not like I am at every auction. For the most part, now, if they see something I would be on the hook for, they will call me or buy it and then call me. I do the same, the other deal is I do mostly Buick and Olds, there is a guy that is real strong on Pontiac 455s so, we kind of look out for each other. The trick is you have to follow through and buy the stuff they bought on your behalf!

At the end of the day, there is just not a long line of guys forming to buy a B-O-P big block, big body cars anymore...


:idea: Good bless you LS guys! :!:

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Awwww chit! I found someone that might be interested in going in on the deal for the body and the owner seems like he wants to talk now. The sad part is I don't even have a use for the 455 as we speak. You gotta get things when they're available here.