what you guys think this 305 is worth?

[kev2809]

i know not much people like the 305s, but i pulled this out of my truck to do an ls swap. i bought this about 10 years ago. 1978 malibu 305 engine #460776

Put new valve stems, head gaskets, rear seal, new oil pan gasket, valve covers and gasket, new intake and gasket, new hei distributor, new plugs and wires, new starter, new water pump, new fuel pump, new power steering pump and hoses, new alternator, all new belts, and just last year i bought a holley 600 electric choke carb (intake was also put on the same time) and the heat shield for it. has ramhorn manifolds also. it looks dirty as hell because my truck sits outside (it was covered with hood). i do have a video of it running. BUT, i never took this truck farther than a block from my house, so i dont know how well it runs, other than it runs. it will come with the trans (believe its a th350). not in the picture is the alternator, and front fan...which will be included but i had to remove to get the motor out.

i will putting this for sale but not sure the price. i really want to get something nice back so i can put towards my swap. what do you guys think i should list it for? the carb alone was 230 i believe, and has 0 miles and only ran about 5 or 6 times.

[PDW HOTRODS]

It's not worth much unless someone can hear it run. The carb looks dirty and that hurts value a lot. If it is clean and you car hear it run with oil pressure gauge working then engine and trany could go for $800 maybe. A lot of people don't mind 305's. They are good for a cruiser or light weight hot rod, just not best choice to make power.

[truckster]

If I can't hear an engine run it's not worth more than 200 to 300 bucks to me. I know it's not what you're hoping to hear, but I think most people would be hesitant to buy an engine they can't hear run as anything more than a builder.

[57taskforce]

I think you’ll have trouble getting a lot for it honestly. Gen 1 Small blocks don’t bring very much anymore, even 350’s and 400’s, at least around here. I’d say $500 Max for that combo complete is realistic but it could take a while for the right person to come along to pay that. Most people run from 305’s because of cracked head issues they are known for and because they aren’t the best platform to build more power.

[kev2809]

4-500 is what i was hoping. i mean, even if i strip it down i could probably get that alone...but definitely not wanting to do that. i believe i have 300 plus just in the intake, carb, and heat shield....the carb had an air cleaner the entire time with no ports open. it was completely bolted and installed to run with the exception of wiring the choke. maybe i should clean some of this stuff up to make it presentable....im shocked how it looks without really moving the damn truck

[kev2809]

Originally Posted by truckster

If I can't hear an engine run it's not worth more than 200 to 300 bucks to me. I know it's not what you're hoping to hear, but I think most people would be hesitant to buy an engine they can't hear run as anything more than a builder.

i do have a video of it running right before i pulled it....hoping that it will help with the sale. lot of people would love to see it running right in front of them but unfortunately i just didnt have the time to try and sell then start pulling.

[LS short box]

My .02? To prove to a buyer run a compression check and document it. I know it sucks but I think you will struggle to get $300 for the engine and trans. Really if you can get some cash back against the carb and intake you will be doing good. Power wash it to get rid of the dirt and grime but don't paint it.

[kev2809]

its starting to sound like i should just part it out....maybe i will try to sell it running and complete and if i dont get what im asking, try parting it out...

[kwmech]

There is nothing wrong with running a 305 engine. they are not a power house but they are a good dependable running engine that can get mid to high teens with gas mileage. The turbo 400 alone can bring 2-300 at a transmission shop as a good core. The engine complete with all the brackets, pulleys and such, I'd say upwards of 500.00 to the right person if they can hear it run

[Dead Parrot]

A 305 is an engine that is normally pulled to replace with something else. Exactly like you are doing. This results in a lot of used 305s on the market. As others have said, they are ok for basic motor applications but are shunned for things that need lots of torque and/or HP.

Even if it was on a stand and could run, all that really shows is it runs. It doesn't give much indication if it will run 305 strong or is just barely able to rev up unloaded. Probably all the engine is worth is its scrap value based on weight.

The transmission may be worth more then the motor. They are still making SBCs. Don't think they are making anymore TH350s or even TH700R4s.

While you might get lucky and find the rare person that just needs a basic drop in solution for a vehicle, it is probably worth less as is then the sum of the separate parts.

[TrybalRage]

I pulled the 305 out of my truck earlier this year for my swap. Ended up selling it on FB marketplace for $250, without the carburetor but otherwise complete. Guy wanted it so he could flip a non-running el camino.

I later sold my carb for $125 I think? Again on FB.

This was back around June 2020.

[Captainfab]

About 90% of the people out there will tell you that a 305 is absolute junk and not worth anything. It will be extremely difficult to get a decent price for a non-running engine. What you have sitting there would be considered a rebuildable core.

[mongocanfly]

A buddy of mine had 2 350s that he tried forever to sell at his asking price...I think he finally sold one for a couple hundred bucks...the other he gave away just to get it out of his shop
Location and demand is what makes the value

[b454rat]

As others said, really don't think gonna get much for it. I'm sure someone out there wants one, or just a running motor, but for as cheap as you can get an LS, it's gonna be tough. I picked up a 6.0 with 2 ECMs, 2 wiring harness's, extra heads, TBSS intake and DBC TB for $450.

[PDW HOTRODS]

LS motors are great but they can be complicated for some. There are still a lot of people who would rather use a flathead ford in there old hot rod too. I know people who would rather have an old SBC than an LS for period correct look. Around here a nice clean small block compete with trans, accessories, aluminum intake, and new carb, and can hear it run would sell easy.

[AcampoDave]

Besides the manifold carb, you've got non-smog ramhorns, M/T valvecovers and an HEI with an Accel Super Coil. All of that stuff should net you a few bucks. I wonder too if it has high output heads, I put a pair of those (pt# ending in 416) on my 283 and it gave it a few more ponies. The low mount power steering pump set up might be cool also. Too bad you don't have a buddy who could use a fair deal on that whole combo. Heck if you were closer I'd offer you 250 for the whole sheebang. I know that's cheap, but that would be my offer.

[Tom]

A 305 is worth like $100.
Pull the carb and manifolds and sell separately to make way more money overall.

[kev2809]

im starting to think i should just part this thing out

[cadillac_al]

I have had two 305's for sale for a couple years. They are in the vehicle and they run nice. I am asking $300 for one and $400 for the better one. I have never got a call on them.

[kev2809]

damn shame where were these 10 years ago when i got this one...i couldve been driving a long time ago lol. ive decided to part this one out..once this rain passes and new years im going to start yanking stuff and putting this stuff in the classifieds. i know i need prices before i place anything for sale here, so i have look around to see what i can get for this. remember guys, all proceeds go towards my ls swap

[Tom]

Originally Posted by kev2809

damn shame where were these 10 years ago when i got this one

10years ago I sold my 79 c10 with a 305 I bought for $50 after pulling the vortec 350 to use in the next truck. They have always been cheap.
Pay $100 for a 305 you don't want or $500 for a 350 you do want as well as the 4" bore block can be turned into a 383, the 305 will always be a 305. Easy choice for most people.

[kev2809]

Originally Posted by Tom

10years ago I sold my 79 c10 with a 305 I bought for $50 after pulling the vortec 350 to use in the next truck. They have always been cheap.
Pay $100 for a 305 you don't want or $500 for a 350 you do want as well as the 4" bore block can be turned into a 383, the 305 will always be a 305. Easy choice for most people.

paid 120 for this one..but it did not look like this when i got it. i looked for months and couldn't find anything that cheap...i never do find anything either lol

[kev2809]

thanks everyone for your input...tore it down and have everything for sale

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...90#post8857090

[nikwho]

I think that you would be best off separating and selling parts individually. I'd not pay more than $300 for everything that you have. I think that your engine is worth $100. $200 if someone is desperate to get something in their vehicle, and they are willing to take a chance. I personally would never rebuild a 305. But then again, I don't know if I would ever rebuild another 350 without a 383 rotating assembly! It's too cheap not to. I think that your transmission is worth $200. Your carb would likely fetch $100, if you cleaned it up. So, there's $400-$500 for everything. But, like I said, I would not pay more than $300, as the 305 is not worth moving/storing, for me. There is still market for them, though.

[Myself]

That trans is worth 4-500 by itself. If you were closer I'd snatch it up......it's a 2004r that any hotrodder with an old school carbed build would love to have! And I could actually use a good 305 too! I'd bet if you advertised that 2004r it will sell.