VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1928 Engine value

some of you might remember my post a while back about a 1928 Coupe, well I finally got it home after about 6 months of waiting... Ended up with almost enough parts for 2 cars, plus a lot of parts that seem to be from the late 20's early thirties that don't go to my 28. One of the things I ended up with was a spare 1928 Chevy 4 cylinder engine. Engine was rebuilt in the 70's and never run. Been in dry storage since and has the starter, generator etc...(includes complete transmission as well) pretty much all complete except for carb. Would like to sell it to finance the restoration of the coupe but have no idea what to even ask for it. Any ideas? Now comes the fun part of culling out what I don't need and arranging what I do. No room to move in my garage at the moment. (only a single car garage and have two of almost everything for the car so you can imagine the lack of space)

Off the top of my head, you might want to keep EVERYTHING, until you get to the stage where you definitely, positively have used it / needed it, or not.

I, too, had many duplications or even 'triplications' of parts for my '25 - and frequently, believe it or not, I needed both to make one good one; or they were ALL bad, and I needed an additional one, etc.

Funny how that works. But if you can afford to keep it all, I would recommend it. The engine ain't worth all that much, really, anyway.

Re-read ChevyGuru's advice again, carefully. Especilly the last line, the engine wont be worth much cash wise but will be a block of gold when you need another starter, generator, an engine that isn't cracked, oil pan, etc, etc. My solution to the one car garage problem is floor to ceiling shelves everywhere or if it collects a little rust outside at least you've got it. A good usable transmission main drive gear is almost worth a trip to Palmyra if you really need one.
Herb

Unfortunately, I really have to move some of this stuff out, have another project coming in that I need room for and don't have... Already have what little rafter space I have left filled and already have the walls covered with parts. Storing outside isn't an option (between truck parts, trailers, frames etc... One more thing stored in the yard and I'll be in divorce court if the neighbors don't kill me first) Already been given the ultimatum by the wife that either some of it goes or all of it goes... I'm going through and saving the best of each piece and ebaying off the rest but need to know what kind of price I should expect for the complete engine/tranny combo in original post. I have no clue what to even ask, $100, $200, $500??? Any ideas?

An idea of the lack of space I am dealing with... This is a picture after we had put approx. half of the stuff in the garage (not including frame etc...) And I still need room to work in the garage as well.

Worst thing out of all of this is the guy I got it from threw out the front hubs. (kept two complete rearends and one partial, but threw out the front-end stuff. Go figure....)

OK, a W.A.G. I'll put it at around $300-350.

--If you have a local club/s in your area you might want to let them know about the parts.

--Maybe some club guys have a bit of spare space for you?

--If you ebay it, something that heavy will keep the bidders to locals (maybe) because shipping must be costly.

--Run a search of prior auctions for similar type items on ebay and maybe you will get an idea of value.

1MHO; I would keep it all because of "the rule":

"Anything you have a spare for, will not break"

I just sold a 1928 engine last week for $150 and it took me about three years to get rid of it at that price. :( :( :( :(

Would it be worth it to part it and ebay it? I could probably stuff the block itself somewhere and just sell the tranny, generator, starter etc... (wouldn't mind keeping the block if only because it's the match for the car, other engine I have is perfect, looks like it was never used so was going to use that one in the car)

I've seen several 1928 chevy heads bought by **** people for $150 so they could convert Model T's or A's from flathead to OHV. Neal Jern sells conversion kits for Fords and may know someone that wants a Chevy head. Sure would be nice if it were an Olds head.
Stephen Sebastian
Albany Oregon
541 926-8222