1972 cuda with a 426 hemi

[sassygreen]

got a chance to buy a 1972 cuda project. It has a 1970 426 hemi replacement motor, missing pulleys for water and power steering that goes with it. Pistol grip 4 speed. Body is in primer with new quarters, floors, trunk, and 71 style gilled front fenders. No hood, grill is broken,  glass, or interior. Motor is apart for inspection. What should I look for and more importantly, what do you think it is worth. No pictures for now unless I buy it. Thanks for your help

[js29no]

 

[4Cruizn]

I'm gonna take a shot at this and say 18 - 20k . . . Based on what you have disclosed. 

[mopardave]

not a lot of specifics given.  only potential there is the engine could be worth more than the car. with out any pictures its a guess on value. sounds like a mish mosh and in primer. 18 or 23 Spline, Are all other drive line components their?  8.75 or Dana, glass? interior condition?

[sassygreen]

Thanks for the comments. 18 to 20k makes me fell better about buying this car. This might make someone a great project. I am thinking I will put it together and sell it to someone who wants to build the car their way.

[BS27R1B]

 Get the VIN from the side of the block. That could be a big bonus. There are a lot of 70-71 cars without their matching engines and their owners would probably pay a premium to get the original engine.
I have two such cars.
What part of the country are you from?

[sassygreen]

southern Indiana. I was told that it is a warranty block, with no body numbers. would the vin be stamped on top like a 440?

[BS27R1B]

VIN will be stamped on the passenger side of the block about half way front to rear just above the oil pan.
There is a machine area there on the later blocks where the VIN was stamped if installed in a car. It would be blank on a warranty block.

[sassygreen]

Thanks for the info I will go look. Sure enough blank no numbers. Ok so it is a warranty block, does that make it more or less desirable? Thanks for the information. Side of the block has a dot27dot70. Does that make it a 1970?

[BS27R1B]

It seems you are missing the month the block was cast in. There should be another number in front of the first 'DOT'. Can you post a photo?
It could have been a block, short block or long block. Look at the underside of the ears that stick out of the bottom rear of the block. Are there any numbers there? These would be an assembly date for the short block and will be many digits long. I have posted an example.
There also could be stampings on the raised rectangle on the top front of the block, passenger side beside the distributor hole. See what these are.
As to the question of value, the 68-70 blocks can have greater value due to the fact they can be correct for the 69-71 cars which tend to be more valuable.