71 Cuda: To OE Resto or to not OE resto?

[CudaMaxx]

Need a little help,
I bought a 71 Cuda 340, 3 speed manual.  Paid 7k for it.  Doing research, I found out that only 151 were made with this combo.  I don't have either the motor or tranny.  I know where the motor is but not the tranny.  Would probably never find it, only maybe a year correct tranny.  The guy with the original motor wants 6500.00 dollars for it.  It still has all the original parts except the pulleys and the carb.  I think he's trying to screw me because he knows the only reason I want it is for this restoration and he was planning on using parts of it for a 408 stroker he's building.  I saw someone else selling a restored Cuda with same combo motor and trans but both of theirs were only year correct and they were asking 85,000.00. 
I guess my question is, is it worth it to buy the 6500.00 dollar original motor and find a year correct tranny, or just use another 340 short block I already have?  How much more would the car be worth with the original motor but not tranny?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks

[TorOrange]

The guy is trying to screw you buddy. Not sure which car your talking about for 85k but that's way overpriced.
They usually go for 30-50k. Is it worth getting the original motor yes but its not going to boost the cars value as much as what you'd think it would. As for restoring it back to original or not that is really up to what you like, and want out of the car. Also depends on how long you'll be keeping the car.

I'd go back to the guy and ask for a realistic price, maybe I'm off but something around 1-2k.

[Topcat]

Did you let on that the engine was the one from your car? Bad mistake if you did.

Or did he already know?

[joelson6]

get the motor,


money talks.......................

[72bluNblu]

IMHO, the numbers matching engine will only be worthwhile if you're planning on keeping EVERYTHING original and bone stock. Otherwise, even with the numbers matching engine, its not a true OE restoration. I personally don't think the transmission is a huge deal even if you go back and get the original engine and do the full OE resto, date code will be close enough for the transmission for most folks.

But, if you are going to go the OE route, you'd better have the fender tag and all the other goodies to go with it. No point in getting the numbers engine if you're going to stray with any of the other details.

If the guy with the engine is just building a 408, why not offer to trade him the 340 short block you already have? Seems like if he isn't interested in a deal that takes care of everything he needed the engine for he's going to be a problem, trying to get rich off your desire to stay original.

Stuff like this is why I prefer not to mess with OE resto's or numbers matching anything. /6, 318, and non numbers cars are so much easier.

[challengermaniac]

As long as the original motor is not cracked, I would offer $5k for it given both of you know it will cost another $6 to $8k for a rebuild along with a transmission.

[72bluNblu]

As long as the original motor is not cracked, I would offer $5k for it given both of you know it will cost another $6 to $8k for a rebuild along with a transmission.

$5k? Yikes! 

Even with a full OE resto, I'm not sure that the "numbers matching" block would make the car worth an additional $5k over a "date code correct" block. Maybe, but you'd have to find the right buyer.

I've got half that into my Duster, and I can DRIVE it.

[MTS-Challenger]

Yes its worth geting - but hire a professional barter person to bargin with the guy for a more realistic price or trade.

And then, only as a last resort - "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse". 

[Jamiez]

$5k? Yikes! 

Even with a full OE resto, I'm not sure that the "numbers matching" block would make the car worth an additional $5k over a "date code correct" block. Maybe, but you'd have to find the right buyer.

It's definitely worth 5K.  When I look at cars as soon as I see non-numbers matching, I move on to the next car.  I know several people who are the same.  Not having the numbers will reduce potential buyers if you ever have to sell the car.  The engine doesn't have to be in the car, but having it around for the next guy is a strong selling point.

[joelson6]

not everyone looks at the numbers. some people don't care. but it surely does add value to the car.
if you looking to hack the car up then don't buy it. but, if your keeping it a street car, i'd get it.

i use to race my '72 back in the 90's, but i kept the numbers motor for when i restored the car. even
if your gonna hot rod it, it's always nice to say " i have the original motor".

[burdar]

What are your plans for the car?  True OE cars are very expensive and most people have no idea what it takes to restore one to that level.  If you are truely going to do an OE level restoration, then yes, you will need the original engine.   A true OE restoration will cost you over $200K.  All part numbers and date codes will need to be correct for the production date of the car.  All bare metal parts need to be left bare metal....no cast blast paints anywhere.  Chemically derusting parts instead of blasting them.  NO repop parts...all NOS exc....

If that's what you are planning, then buy the engine.

[torredcuda]

I wouldn`t pay more than $2-3000 for the original 340 seeing how you don`t have the tranny so it will never be 100% numbers matching.

[dodj]

I wouldn`t pay more than $2-3000 for the original 340 seeing how you don`t have the tranny so it will never be 100% numbers matching.

If you can't get/find the tranny, it will never be a #'s matching 'cuda.

[ragtopdodge]

You ONLY need the block.  Everything else, you can buy elsewhere.

This is what I would do:  find yourself a very nice year-correct 340 block.  Get it magnufluxed, bores checked, and sonic tested.

Then, tell him you'll trade your block for his block (block only now; he can keep the rest of the crap) and give him $2k.  If he won't take it, walk away.  Not really needed anyways.


As far as the trans, who cares about #s matching 3-speed?  Either get a four-speed, or get a new Passon 5-speed (even better) and stick it in there.

340-3 speeds are rare, but not THAT desirable.  Just a bit more desirable than an automatic, but not as much as a factory four-speed.

Got any pics of your car?  You sound like you got a good deal.

[ragtopdodge]

It's definitely worth 5K.  When I look at cars as soon as I see non-numbers matching, I move on to the next car.  I know several people who are the same.  Not having the numbers will reduce potential buyers if you ever have to sell the car.  The engine doesn't have to be in the car, but having it around for the next guy is a strong selling point.

Why is that?  This is not a Ford or a Chevy where the real car model is not verified in the VIN.  IT's a 340 car; not a hemicar.