1931 engine and transmission value

[Alaska Mike]

Local widow called and asked me if I wanted to buy a 1931 engine and transmission that belonged to her late husband. He had a '31 roadster, but the car has sold. This was just a spare engine and transmission that he had. She has no idea of the condition or if anything had ever been done to it.

I asked the local Model A club in Des Moines to advertise, but have not gotten any calls. I guess there is no interest.

I plan to call her and set up an appointment to go look at it. Can anyone offer me any advise as to what it might be worth?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Mike, asking for a value is like asking 'How long does it take to catch a fish?' Too many variables at this point IMHO.

[ronn]

not much.....................

[Gino]

I'd offer two or three hundred bucks, assuming it has not been rebuilt.
Everyone please keep in mind I love taking them apart and working on them.
You can spend that kind of money going to ballgame. For me it's worth the money for the many hours of fun I'd have screwing around with them

[Bob Bidonde]

For condition unknown, $100.

[SeaSlugs]

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Bring a wrench and remove the spark plugs - bring a strong flashlight - should be able to tell if its just been sitting or if its been freshly rehoned and carbon cleaned off sorta thing.

trans its only 6 bolts to pop the tower off and have a look. If you see nice square shiney gears with no rust of pitting it could have been rebuilt. Also the obvious wear/slop in the shifter itself.

That and how was it stored? If it was wrapped up and mouse proofed (covered water inlets, intake exhaust ports etc) im betting it was either rebuilt or at least a known good running engine. If it was just shoved in the corner - well he could have picked it up unknown condition and was going to rebuild it sorta thing so didnt really need to mouseproof it.

[C26Pinelake]

The fear of the unknown suggests that you pay absolute minimum. Wayne

[Flathead]

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

Bring a wrench and remove the spark plugs - bring a strong flashlight - should be able to tell if its just been sitting or if its been freshly rehoned and carbon cleaned off sorta thing.

trans its only 6 bolts to pop the tower off and have a look. If you see nice square shiney gears with no rust of pitting it could have been rebuilt. Also the obvious wear/slop in the shifter itself.

That and how was it stored? If it was wrapped up and mouse proofed (covered water inlets, intake exhaust ports etc) im betting it was either rebuilt or at least a known good running engine. If it was just shoved in the corner - well he could have picked it up unknown condition and was going to rebuild it sorta thing so didnt really need to mouseproof it.

Good points, that pretty much sums it up.

[Alaska Mike]

Thanks for all your replies! I was thinking along the same lines. I have no real need for it, but it could be fun to play around with... Thanks again!

[larrys40]

Engines sitting aside and/or trans or rears usually always have some reason they were pulled. Few are actually useable without rebuilding. I bought 5 transmissions this spring for $35 each hoping to get a good cluster gear out of one of them... No such luck! Even though a couple initially looked OK in the case after opening up, upon disassembly they were not. Do I have other good parts...yes.. but I gave a fair price for the risk. I already have other spare parts but good original clusters are harder to come by. Engines the same way. The cylinders may look good but the rod or mains not. I wouldn't give any more than core value for either... $50 for trans and $75 for engine would be my fair offer. and I would be happy to walk away from it if they balk.

Larry

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

ONLY buy it for SCRAP value.
Bill W.

[Special Coupe Frank]

What Bill said...

So many engines have bad main babbit and/or cracks in the block around the valve seats. You can't tell unless you tear the engine down.

Paying scrap price is "fair" to both you and the seller.

Now, if you buy the engine and tranny, get them apart, and find that they're in really good condition, and want to go back and give the lady some more money, that would be an honorable gesture.

Frank

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Special Coupe Frank

What Bill said...

So many engines have bad main babbit and/or cracks in the block around the valve seats. You can't tell unless you tear the engine down.

Paying scrap price is "fair" to both you and the seller.

Now, if you buy the engine and tranny, get them apart, and find that they're in really good condition, and want to go back and give the lady some more money, that would be an honorable gesture.

Frank

I would do that.