I've searched and searched for the 400 HO that has been mentioned at Mecum for 60k. I can't find it. That doesn't mean it didn't happen, a regular 400 vert sold for more. I do know that the carnival red Ram Air I auto stuggled to get past 60-70k. And we know Ram Air > HO.
That was the only 400 HO I saw go across the auction line. I know when I contacted hagerty insurance and spoke to the man that does the appraisals and maintain the appraisal piece on their web site. I asked about why they did not list the 68 400ho and it's valuation. It list the different HP and the 400 and ram air I. He told me they value the 400HO and the Ram air 1 the same.
After searching for 5 years for a WQ motor I finally found a perfect one at the end of 2017. I picked it up and brought it home in February. It was a std bore block. It was a complete motor but the only items that was correct for the WQ motor was the 16 heads and the 68 oil pan, and oil filter adapter. It did come with 69 long branch exhaust, 64 timing cover, 74 intake manifold, clutch fan, 65 distributor, oldsmobile air cleaner, 65 power steering parts.
I paid $2400 for it. I have sold most of the incorrect items and sold the 16 heads.
Currently I have 1100 in the long block with correct crank, oil pan, oil filter which I feel is fair. I sold the 16 heads for 500 and the 69 exhaust long branch manifolds for 400.
