What are engines worth?

[Jonah D'Avella]

I have 3 engines I am trying to sell, any idea what a fair price is?

I tried to post some pics, I don’t know if they will come through, they all spin, and are mostly complete but don’t run

[Humblej]

Recent post that has been running for a month asking the same thing.
https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42286

[Joe Bell]

The 16 if it has the low head, that is worth 100-150 for the head, the narrow nose pan is worth 100, the block is 100, the 25 engine would be the best gamble not knowing, the 26-7 engine could be cracked in the cylinder or in the oil galley, not knowing I do not like to pay more than 150. for a complete since some of the parts will go right to the scrap pile, just my imput.

[John kuehn]

The price for the 3 engines and not knowing about any cracks, cracked transmission drums, scored crankshafts, and etc 300.00 for all 3 would be a reasonable price for buying unknown condition engines. That’s taking into consideration the engine pans, transmission covers, cylinder heads and the other parts. The engine blocks would be a toss up if they are cracked or not. It’s kind of like saying one man’s trash, junk might be another man’s treasure.

[Steve Jelf]

Value does vary by year. I came close to paying $200 for a 1915 block because it was so cheap ($200). 23 - 25? I've seen complete engines go for $50 or $60, sometimes less, at auction.

[Jonah D'Avella]

What are some big things that I could look for to help determine a fair price? Thank y’all for the help!

[John kuehn]

Jonah
300.00 for all three and not knowing anything about them would be fair for some but others it’s to much. You’ve got some information about overall value.
Shipping to someone who might want them would be cost restrictive. Advertise as local pickup would be the way to go for a fair price. Or take to a swap meet and see what happens. The unknown is a big factor either way. When saying 300.00 is a decent price thats because the early engine is pretty much complete and early The other two newer engines about 50-75 each. That’s 300.00.

[Dan Hatch]

If those are local to you, odds are they have freeze cracks. Check them close.

[Wayne Sheldon]

Jonah said he is trying to sell them.
I always find I need to have to pay about twice what I can sell something for.

My experience has been that some of the best model T engines I have ever bought were the worst looking ones outside when I bought them. Twice, really nasty looking engines turned out to be nearly NEW inside, with one-piece valves and clean tight bores as well as perfect looking Babbitt. One was so heavily encrusted with oil-dirt outside that I spent a couple hours with a hammer and cold chisel trying to remove the crud! I figured a rebuilder had washed out the inside of the engine, and heated the block to pour fresh Babbitt baking the oil-dirt outside. The insides on both of them were oily but otherwise fairly clean.

Removing the hogsheads might give potential buyers a chance to look over the drums for obvious cracks or other problems. Of course, if there are obvious issues, that idea could make them worth less.

[Rich P. Bingham]

No one has mentioned that locale may make some difference to the condition of such engines. Here in the high and dry intermountain west, internal rust isnt much of an issue unless an assembly has been flooded somehow. I would think corrosion would be more of an issue in parts of the country that are very humid ? Thoughts ?

[John kuehn]

Looking at the 26 engine it looks like the head has been off of it and then stuck back on with the head bolts holding the head on just enough. What does that mean? There again the unknown is the deciding factor for that paticular engine. Opening them up may help in the value and what condition they are in will tell the story. With the transmission covers off and finding scored drums isn’t a good sign for some people. But for others who knows.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

When trying to sell them, I'd remove the heads so people can have a look at the bores & seats and also determine how much oversize the bores are. Standard size bores would be nice! If the 26/27 block has no cracks from the valve seats to the bores it would make it better than most out there. I'd try for $125 each or $300 for all 3. You can always offer them for less when the perspective buyer starts to walk away.

[Jonah D'Avella]

Thank you all for the advice! Just sold them!

[havnfun]

Depends on year, early engines are valuable and demand a higher value

Black era engines, I never paid over $50 for complete engine/transmission within these years.