Weissach1982

I have a 1982 4.5L motor just rebuilt, and would like to know how much I could sell it for. It has less than 1500miles on it with no problems and runs strong. Any body have any ideas on what I could get out of this aluminum bundle?
Thanks,
Cory Johnt

Shane

Would probably be a good idea to have a leak down and compression test done so the numbers would be available for those looking to buy it.

Weissach1982

Could I run a leakdown and compression test at-house? What would I have to do and what kind of equipment would I need?

Tony

http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/engineproj.htm

scroll down a ways. I just did my motor.

LukeSportsman

Many will likely want a list of what was done and receipts are always a bonus. Was it a freshening up, replace what is bad, or a fully reconditioned engine with new pistons, bearings, rod's sized and crank turned? Were the heads rebuilt? Is it a long block or turnkey/complete?

Weissach1982

The motor was completely reconditioned, replaced what was bad, Crank turned, block mike checked, there were 3 bad pistons that had broken ring lands, those were replaced with new ones, new rod bearings, new lifters, cam gears replaced, water hoses, all vaccum hoses, new water pump, injectors were flowed and checked, everything was cleaned, sized and balanced. Cams and cam boxes were fine. Wiring harness rebuilt. Too much to go over, it was complete rebuild top to bottom. Complete turnkey motor, its in my car.

Gregg K

Wow Tony, thanks for the great tour! That was truly exciting. That was worth a million. It's strange to see aluminum cylinder walls. I can only guess that head gasket was due to galvanic corrosion. I'd use Copper Coat on a rebuild. Unless it's advised against. That was unexpected looking. The only thing that had me cringing was the uncovered engine when using an abrasive disk. And the leakdown can sometimes be the result of all the ring gaps lining up together. I believe they rotate as the engine runs. I rebuilt a monster 477 Cu In commercial super duty engine once, that had leakdown even when it was rebuilt. I'll never understand what caused it, but it didn't hold any air at all. A leaker. That one cylinder that didn't hold, is a bit of a mystery. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you sharing that photo exhibit.

Tony

Yer Welcome Greg. About the abrasive disc...A minor thing IMHO, non issue, it took all but 5 seconds on thats soft material to make a groove and if you notice i cut it parallel to the floor, shavings werent flying everywhere. The disc is actually very hard.

Steve J.

Cory - why are you selling a good engine from your car? Was the car wrecked?
Tony - Great pics! Worth the time to download even on slow dial-up. My t-stat seat looked blistered about like yours but my engine was never on fire. I don't think you caused that with the torch. I think you are right on about the source of the fire. I found that short section of fuel hose near the throttle pulley badly cracked. Disaster waiting to happen. Replaced it with a modified VW hose.

Rez

Great pics Tony! Pretty inventive flywheel lock too.

Jim bailey - 928 International

the reason for the question is he has a bad case of horsepower envy and wants to see much of what he spent rebuilding it stock could be recovered so he could get a bigger HP motor built now !! I sell used 4.5 engines for $2,000 . His being fresh should be worth much more for the right person .

John..

I'd say that motor is worth at least $2000.00 on a bad day. Before I decided on rebuilding my block, I could hardly touch a used short block for under $1000.00.

Weissach1982

So asking $3000-$4000 for a complete turnkey motor, would that be a good price or too steep? Oh and Jim you're right I'm wanting more power out of a different motor that i have in mind.
Cory J.

Old & New

It's a tough call with entire cars going for 5-6K.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6432

GlenL

I started a reply when the thread was new but deleted it. Now that you're into numbers, I'll launch ahead.

It'd be nice to get full value for the "value add" over a used engine. SOmething like:

engine + parts + labor + low hassle = $4000

But people (OK, at least me) won't see it that way. Proving it is "like new" is a tough sell. Also, established vendors and shops get a premium as they are expected to stand beind what they sell. And if you're going to spend that much, why not upgrade?

The price is whatever someone will pay. I'd expect it to go for $1200-$1800. Asking ifor what you want is always a good place to start, though.